Look no further for a new place to dine, relax and converse with friends on campus. The recently renovated Hawk’s Nest, located in the University Union, has gotten nothing but positive reviews from staff and students.

According to a poll on TheSeahawk.org, Quizno’s is a favorite among students with 28 percent of the votes and Jolé Molé right behind it at 24 percent. Chick-Fil-A and the Varsity Grill follow.

Sharon Boyd, Associate Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs, added that Jolé Molé is particularly popular at night according to sales and profits.

“My favorite place is probably Quizno’s because I like the large selection of subs, but I usually go to Jolé Molé because the meal swipes are so convenient,” freshman Joseph Wilson said.

Seating is now 50 percent greater in the Hawk’s Nest and the location offers more brand name dining facilities including Quizno’s, Chick-Fil-A, and Marble Slab Creamery. Other new stations include Hawk Wok, an asian station, The Tuscan Oven, an Italian bar and Outta Here that provides convenient takeout options and a buffet line.

“We’re looking to expand the hours of operation, especially on the weekends,” Boyd said “We also want more breakfast options at Chick-Fil-A, Quizno’s and the Varsity Grill.

“I wish there were more meal swipe options,” freshman Kirsten Bolender said. “And maybe more entertainment, such as live music, to add to the atmosphere.”

The new design process for the Hawk’s Nest began around 1999.

“About five to seven years ago, we looked at Union activities and saw that the student population had outgrown the area and we were in need of more resources,” Boyd said.

Program facilitators wanted different stations built on a Marché style. This dining technique allows customers to select their own meals and ingredients and watch the chef prepare the food before them. Thus, a small or non-existent kitchen is used. This concept is very popular through Europe and Canada.

“We wanted to bring the cooking out in front of the customer,” Boyd said.

She added, “Since we’ve had success with brand names in the past such as Einstein’s, we wanted more of those.”

Thus, the deli style sandwich area in The Grill was replaced by Quizno’s.

“We had a Mexican station in The Grill for a short time,” Boyd said. “It was very popular so it was important for us to bring that back.”

Students are offered quesadillas, burritos, chips and salsa, and taco salads at Jolé Molé.

“We combined the grill and salad bar so meat toppings could be easily added to the salads,” Boyd said. “Someday, we would like to offer salmon and fried shrimp.”

She added, “Once the Tuscan Oven grows in popularity we hope to add more foods such as lasagna.”

Meal swipes are offered at Outta Here, Jolé Molé, Hawk Wok and The Varsity Grille.

As for Marble Slab, ice cream is offered to students with mix-in ingredients such as marshmallows, chocolate chips, cookie dough bits and brownie pieces.

“I like that people get personal attention there,” Boyd said. “It fit so well in the convenient store and just came together great.”

The first few weeks after the opening of the Hawk’s Nest, noticeable decline of student attendance at Wagoner Hall was noticed.

“We attribute it to the newness [of the Hawk’s Nest],” Boyd said. “Wagoner is serving high numbers of students so it didn’t surprise us, but the numbers are coming back up. We expect the fall semester to have a much more balanced attendance [of both dining places].”

“We’re so excited students reacted to it [the Hawk’s Nest] because we’ve spent a long time dreaming,” Boyd said. “I hope they can build a lot of memories there.”

As for Warwick, which once housed UNCW’s grill, more student services programs, like Student Accounts Cashiers and financial aid, will replace the previous dining facilities.