Sara Lee Sandwich Shoppes have debuted at four Yale University Dining Halls YUDH locations around campus, offering custom-made sandwiches which feature Sara Lee-brand meats served on specialty breads and rolls.
"We felt our delis needed a change, and our customers wanted something different," says Charles Bennett, YUDH assistant director of operations. "We were looking into branded concepts -- which emphasize, among other things, uniformity of product and presentation. Coincidentally, Sara Lee bought the company that had been providing our deli products. After considering several programs, we just traded our own deli products for Sara Lee."
In addition to "their unique brand of quality, premium meats," Sara Lee offered "the best program in terms of support, training, visual display and graphics" for the deli station, Mr. Bennett notes. "We've gotten a lot of comments already on how nice it looks." Along with Sara Lee meats, the sandwich shops feature "upscale" breads from a New Haven baker, says Mr. Bennett.
Sara Lee, known for its pastries and other baked goods, expanded into the lunch meat business about three years ago, explains Sue Leather, a Sara Lee trainer. "We wanted to expand the brand name concept," Ms. Leather says, adding, "Our meats are all natural. Our turkey breast is just like you would cut off of a turkey at Thanksgiving." Sara Lee's sandwich fillings include several varieties of turkey breast, turkey breast pastrami, roast beef, honey ham, ham salad, chicken salad and bacon.
Ms. Leather has helped establish sandwich shops similar to those on the Yale campus at the University of Connecticut and other locations. "It's been great to work with the people at Yale," she says. "The cooperation from Chuck Bennett and his staff has just been phenomenal. They've left no stone unturned to make sure that everything is in compliance. That always makes my job much easier." Ms. Leather trained the YUDH employees who operate Yale's Sara Lee Sandwich Shoppes.
The Sara Lee Sandwich Shoppes are located in the Law School dining hall, Lord's and Kline Biology Tower cafeterias, and Donaldson Commons. Yale's catering service also will feature Sara Lee meats, Mr. Bennett adds.
Customers may order from among six specialty sandwiches "The Globetrotter," for example, features peppered turkey breast, lettuce, tomato, red onion, provolone cheese and stoneground mustard on choice of bread . Custom-made sandwiches also are available, as is Yale's standard selection of humus rollups and tuna salad, egg salad BLT and liverwurst sandwiches, among others. Prices range from $3.25 to $4.25.