The wait for breadsticks is finally over at Texas Tech University. The college, located in Lubbock, Texas, recently opened Fazoli’s first on-campus unit, serving students who asked for its famous breadsticks and other signature Italian dishes. The restaurant is located in a large food court space in The Market at Stangel/Murdough, which was recently renovated into a state-of-the-art food court by campus foodservice, which has a licensing agreement with Fazoli’s. The brand was selected after two student focus groups favored it as their first choice to be included in the food court, says to Kirk Rodriguez, director of hospitality services. “The first few weeks have been great and the response level and excitement from students has been fantastic,” Rodriguez says. “The addition of Fazoli's has been a work in progress for about two years and it has definitely been ‘worth the wait’ in the words of some of our students. The concept has been a great addition to our overall hospitality services program.”

This restaurant is part of Fazoli’s strategic plan to grow through nontraditional locations, including additional campus, airport, and travel center sites. The brand currently has commitments for 12 new franchised restaurants, including several travel center units. Founded in 1988, Fazoli’s now numbers nearly 220 company-owned and franchised restaurants and is expanding in selected markets around the U.S. Sun Capital Partners acquired the company in 2006.