Henderson, Tennessee — Freed-Hardeman University officially opened the Jones Family Dining Hall Monday, Feb. 17, welcoming students and the Henderson community to its state-of-the-art dining facility.
Located at 250 East Main Street, the new space enhances campus dining with three distinct areas: an all-you-care-to-eat cafeteria, a Chick-fil-A licensed location and the Lion’s Pride Express grab-and-go market.
A Dining Experience Designed for Students and the Community
According to a press release from Tajuana Cheshier – The Bramblett Group – the Jones Family Dining Hall is open to both students and the public, offering a variety of fresh, convenient meal options. The facility is positioned along Main Street with designated visitor parking to ensure accessibility for community members.
FHU President David R. Shannon emphasized the impact the new facility will have on both students and the local area. “A lot of folks at Freed-Hardeman worked hard, kept our goal in mind, and today is the fruit of those labors,” Shannon said. “We intentionally fronted this building toward Main Street to make it accessible for the community. When we met with Chick-fil-A in the very beginning, one of the selling points they loved was that we could serve both a small town and a small campus. But more importantly, it creates a wonderful experience for the Henderson and Chester County community.”
The new facility also brings over 100 new jobs to Henderson, further strengthening ties between the university and the local economy.
Dining Options and Hours
The main cafeteria offers an all-you-care-to-eat dining experience with a variety of meal options, including:
- traditional and classic homestyle meals;
- pizza, pasta and flatbreads;
- burgers, chicken sandwiches and fries;
- international cuisine;
- gluten- and allergen-free options; and
- soups, salads and desserts.
The cafeteria serves breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, with brunch and dinner on weekends.
In addition to the cafeteria, the Jones Family Dining Hall houses Chick-fil-A, open Monday–Saturday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. While it offers a full menu, some items may not be available due to space limitations. Because it is a licensed location, not a franchise, it will not accept Chick-fil-A gift cards or mobile app rewards.
The Lion’s Pride Express provides a grab-and-go market with hot meals, snacks and smoothies for students and visitors seeking quick service.
Commitment to Student Health and Dietary Needs
FHU Food Service Director Michele Little highlighted a new initiative within the dining hall designed to accommodate students with food allergies. “We are opening The Zone today, which is a special station free of all nine major allergens,” Little said. “Everything is prepared separately and cooked within that section, making it free from wheat, milk, soy, nuts, tree nuts, sesame and shellfish. Our goal is to ensure that every student has safe and delicious dining options.”
Honoring a Legacy
As part of FHU’s commitment to honoring its history, the university has renamed its former dining hall, Wallace-Gano, as the Dr. Elizabeth Saunders Center. Dr. Saunders was the first Black student to graduate from Freed-Hardeman and later became its first Black faculty member, teaching for 40 years before retiring in 2018.
Public Access and Parking
Community members are welcome to dine at Jones Family Dining Hall during regular hours.
- Chick-fil-A is open to the public for carryout. When school is not in session (summer and spring breaks), seating in the cafeteria will also be available for Chick-fil-A guests.
- Visitor Parking: Designated spaces are available in front of the dining hall, with additional parking at the northwest corner of Main Street and White Avenue.
- Traffic Flow: Visitors should follow directional signage and note that exiting is right-turn only onto Main Street.
The Jones Family Dining Hall is expected to operate at least 310 days per year, ensuring meal service continues even when classes are not in session. Payment methods include cash, major credit cards and FHU campus tenders (meal plans, Dining Dollars and Lion Bucks). For more menu and other information, individuals may follow Lion’s Pride Dining Services on Facebook.
(PHOTO: Chick-fil-A opens on FHU campus in Jones Hall)
