Pueblo, Colorado, August 29, 2025 - Elior Collegiate Dining, a leader in higher education dining services, is proud to enter in its first 10-year collaborative master agreement with the Colorado State University Pueblo (CSUP). The agreement aligns with the University’s Vision 2028 Strategic Plan which prioritizes and identifies capital improvement projects, including dining facilities, over the next ten years. In addition to managing and enhancing dining operations, Elior will oversee auxiliary services, including the bookstore, custodial and events to create synergy between services. This new business model will better deliver on the University’s mission and achieving its goals.
“Elior’s success with the University is an ongoing result of a partnership-focused approach, and impressive culinary and dining services," said CSUP Senior Director of Auxiliary Services Josh Gurley. "Elior has also demonstrated the knowledge, agility and experience to manage related services. Working collaboratively with university leadership, we are excited to renew our partnership with Elior to provide high-quality dining, as well as their ability to identify, recruit and manage related auxiliary services to support the growth of campus facilities.”
With a proven record in increasing board plan participation and retail dining operations, Elior was first selected by CSUP to manage dining services in 2017.
“We are honored that CSUP has renewed their trust in us as they expand. This new business model will realize synergies between dining and related auxiliary services that will support the University’s growth and desired outcomes. We look forward to providing innovative service solutions to streamline operations, support the versatile needs of the University, and most importantly, nourish the minds of CSUP’s talented students,” said Elior Collegiate Dining Senior President of Education Travis Young.
Elior kicked off dining enhancements in the Spring of 2025 with the addition of Qdoba to the University’s Student Center. A national fast-casual restaurant specializing in Mexican-inspired cuisine, Qdoba is known for its customizable burritos, tacos, bowls, and nachos.
Elior’s passion for food is also experienced through its diversified portfolio of fresh food and signature brands including Uptown Sam’s, a modern-day delicatessen that combines old-school with unique flavor combinations; Flame Grill and Kitchen Classic which offers homestyle and local favorites; Sauce and Stone featuring pastas and pizza, global fare; and Grains and Greens, seasonal and crisp produce.
Elior will also create and manage an inviting convenience store space, featuring Fresh to Go, in-house made grab-and-go menu items, along with essentials such as over-the-counter health products, beauty items, and other sundries. To further enhance convenience and efficiency, Elior introduced Mashgin self-checkout kiosks, which streamlines the transaction experience for guests.
Future renovations to the dining hall will complement Elior’s fresh made-to-order foods, trending signature brands, including menus that accommodate students with special dietary needs.
As the University builds upon its plan, constructing new facilities including townhomes, apartments, retail space and a new University Welcome center, Elior will introduce restaurant chains nationally ranked as the most popular with college students including Fire House Subs, Panda Express and Chick-Fil-A. A full-service licensed Starbucks will round out the variety of dining options.
Elior will also align their services with event planning to better execute catering that enhances donor opportunities, outreach to the Pueblo community and more.