USC Dining has a dozen projects going on, involving some 30 concepts, Hospitality Services Director Scott Shuttleworth told FM in October. They include a food court in the new Ronald Tutor Campus Center, scheduled to open in 2010.

Meanwhile, at the university-operated Radisson Hotel at USC, his department just opened a full-service restaurant called McKay's, named for the school's legendary football coach. Another eatery, a sushi concept, is expected to open at the Radisson-USC in January.

Down the Figaro Street corridor and close to USC's basketball arena, the Galen Center, a new sports themed pub called Gastro Pub is opening to take advantage of the sports crowds. “We saw all these fans spending money coming and going from events and we wanted to get some of it,” Shuttleworth says. (USC Dining does not operate the Galen Center's concessions, which is contracted to Aramark). The nearby Radisson, with its McKay's restaurant, is also well positioned to intercept Galen Center traffic.

On the campus, USC Dining opened the Shop Café in the School of Architecture building, while the School of Cinema will see a branded coffee bar early in 2009.