Behind the prices: The cost of fast food on campus

By LAUREN JONES
The Ramspondents

While many students assume food on campus comes at a premium, a recent comparison of menu prices at Colorado State University suggests that it may not always be the case. In several instances, identical items at on-campus restaurants were priced lower than those at nearby off-campus locations.

After seeing an investigation by Steve on Your Side with 9News comparing product prices at and near Denver International Airport (DIA), the Ramspondents team decided to conduct a similar analysis at CSU. The DIA investigation compared prices on more than 80 items that were sold at DIA and in the Denver Metro area. The 9News analysis found many goods at DIA were priced significantly higher, which is a violation of airport policy.

As we began our research, our team discussed what we thought we’d find. The consensus was that prices were likely higher on campus, but we didn’t know how much. To see whether others felt the same, we conducted an anonymous poll on the CSU Yik Yak page to ask students: Do you think fast food prices are higher on campus? (Yes/No). Out of 211 anonymous voters, 185 (88%) said yes. 

There are two Subway locations at CSU, both operated by the same franchise owner, Travis Neidert. Price setting is consistent at both locations and influenced by corporate recommendations and local decisions, with one item often guiding the rest of the menu.

“Perhaps you've heard of the Big Mac index,” Neidert said. “The footlong turkey is kind of like our Big Mac. It's our most popular item and happens to be about middle priced on the menu. We set it strategically and move the other subs relative to it.”

Raising prices can be a challenging decision, particularly when it has a direct effect on whether customers choose to buy a product.

“Every time I have to raise my prices it’s painful. I lay awake at night worrying about if I raise my prices by 20%, does that mean I lose 10% of my customers?” Neidert said. “It’s hard to do.”

Neidert said he tries to keep prices manageable for students, with about 25% of customers using some form of discount or promotion. “There will always be something for the price-sensitive customer to find a good deal,” he said.

While pricing decisions at individual restaurants vary, they are also shaped by how dining operates across campus. CSU dining functions as a self-funded system, a structure that creates a distinct set of priorities compared to many off-campus businesses. Geoff Valdez, director of LSC Dining, said the system is designed to support student success while remaining financially sustainable.

“All of our expenses are paid for by the reselling of food and beverage here on campus, and any proceeds that we have left over go right back into student programs,” Valdez said, adding that LSC Dining does not receive student fees.

Rather than focusing only on profit, CSU Dining Services also considers what students can realistically afford. 

Behind each menu is a mix of corporate guidance, individual decision-making and a campus system built around students. This difference shows up in small ways, but those costs add up for students who eat on campus regularly.

 “We are always trying to be mindful of the burden that the cost of higher education has on students and their families,” said Valdez.

Lauren Jones is a third-year psychology major at Colorado State University with a minor in journalistic reporting and storytelling. She is passionate about human behavior, global issues, and ethical reporting.

Of the four restaurants analyzed, Subway had the biggest price difference between locations with on-campus locations coming in 20% less expensive than off-campus locations.

For this comparison, we averaged prices at two on-campus Subway locations and three off-campus locations in Fort Collins. The percentage difference has been rounded to the nearest whole number.

The on-campus Taco Bell was also less expensive than its off-campus counterparts, but not to the same extent as Subway. The most significant difference between all the products we analyzed was in the price of a Baja Blast, which averages $2.89 more expensive at off-campus locations.

For this comparison, we tallied Taco Bell’s on-campus prices and averaged three off-campus locations in Fort Collins. The percentage difference has been rounded to the nearest whole number.

Panda Express was 20 to 40 cents less expensive off-campus on most menu items we tracked.

For this comparison, we tallied Panda Express prices at the on-campus location and one off-campus location. The percentage difference has been rounded to the nearest whole number.

Of the four restaurants analyzed, Freddy’s had the most consistent pricing between on-campus and off-campus locations.

For this comparison, we tallied Freddy’s prices at the on-campus location and one off-campus location. The percentage difference has been rounded to the nearest whole number.