All You Care to Eat Pilot Program

By cclaire •

The pilot program has been extended through the end of the academic year.

The All You Care to Eat (AYCTE) concept at Bear’s Den will test starting October 21 through the end of the academic year, Monday – Friday, 5 PM – 9 PM. The AYCTE program encourages students to take only what they need, reduce food waste, and explore a variety of menu options across multiple stations, promoting in-person dining and community engagement.

Learn more about how to participate in the program below with our objectives, procedures, feedback link, and frequently asked questions section.

Pilot Objectives

The goals of this pilot program are to test an All You Care to Eat concept for feasibility and participation within the Bear’s Den and gather student feedback and expectations.

Objectives of this pilot program include:

  • Gather students’ likes and dislikes about the program.
  • Gather menu preferences for an All You Care to Eat concept.
  • Gather satisfaction data regarding menu, pricing, and value.
  • Gather sales and participation data for feasibility.

Steps to Participate in the Pilot

Guests include students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Guests are encouraged to dine in during this pilot program.

  1. The guest will enter the Bear’s Den and swipe their WashU ID or credit card at the cashier. The guest will be charged $12.95 upon entry.
  2. The guest will receive a receipt after purchase. This receipt will allow the guest access for one re-entry.
  3. Upon entry the first time, the guest can select as many menu items as they care to eat.
  4. The guest must take their menu items out into the dining area to eat.
  5. To re-enter for a second time, the guest must present their receipt to the cashier. The receipt will then be collected by the cashier.
  6. Upon entry the second time, the guest can select as many menu items as they care to eat.
  7. The guest must take their menu items out into the dining area to eat.
  8. When finished dining, the guest is highly encouraged to complete our satisfaction survey.

To-Go Option: New for January 2025!

  1. The guest will enter the Bear’s Den and swipe their WashU ID or credit card at the cashier. The guest must tell the cashier that they would like the to-go option. The guest will be charged $10.95 upon entry.
  2. The guest will receive a to-go box. The guest will not receive a receipt after purchase. This price only allows for one-time through.
  3. Upon entry, the guest can fill their to-go box with as many menu items as they care to eat. Please note, the to-go box must close completely for the health and safety of our guests.
  4. The guest may take their items out of the dining hall to eat.
  5. There is no second re-entry allowed with the to-go option.
  6. When finished dining, the guest is highly encouraged to complete our satisfaction survey.

Grubhub will not be available between 5PM – 9PM at The Bear’s Den on weeknights (Monday – Friday) with the exception of Simple Servings Express during the pilot program. To pick up your Simple Servings Express Grubhub order, please speak to a cashier or a manager on duty. Simple Servings Express will NOT be a part of the ACYTE pilot.

Share your feedback about the pilot program

Your feedback is highly important to us. We ask that you please take the time to thoughtfully complete a Satisfaction Survey after each night you participate in the All You Care to Eat Pilot Program in The Bear’s Den. The survey will run from October 21st through the end of the academic year.

Click to share your feedback about the pilot program

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Order:

What are the hours of operation for the pilot? How does this impact Grubhub?

The All You Care to Eat Pilot Program will run Monday – Friday, from 5PM – 9PM in the Bear’s Den from October 21st through the end of the academic year.

  • The Bear’s Den will run normal operating hours until 4PM.
  • The Bear’s Den will close from 4PM – 5PM to prepare for the pilot.
  • The Bear’s Den will open from 5PM – 9PM for the All You Care to Eat Pilot Program.
  • The Bear’s Den will close from 9PM – 9:30PM to prepare for late-night re-opening.
  • The Bear’s Den – Grill Station will open from 9:30PM – 12AM.

Grubhub:

Grubhub will be available in The Bear’s Den during the All You Care to Eat Pilot Program between 7AM – 4PM and 9:30PM -12AM on weekdays. Grubhub will operate normal hours on the weekends.

Grubhub will not be available between 5PM – 9PM at The Bear’s Den on weeknights (Monday – Friday) with the exception of Simple Servings Express. To pick up your Simple Servings Express Grubhub order, please speak to a cashier or a manager on duty. Simple Servings Express will NOT be a part of the ACYTE pilot.

Who can participate in the All You Care to Eat Pilot Program?

Participation is open to WashU students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Visitors include parents and families.

What forms of payment are accepted to participate?

Guests are welcome to pay for the All You Care to Eat Pilot Program with Meal Points, Bear Bucks, Credit Card, or Debit Card.

How many times can I re-enter The Bear’s Den for more food?

Guests are allowed two entries into The Bear’s Den during the All You Care to Eat Pilot program. Please refer to the Pilot Use and Procedures section for more information.

In traditional AYCTE settings, the dining seating areas are typically integrated within the eatery, allowing guests to enjoy multiple rounds of food during a single visit. However, The Bear’s Den does not have a fully enclosed seating space, which led us to create a compromise that simulates the AYCTE experience. The two entries during a visit ensures that students can still enjoy the benefits of an AYCTE model while maintaining an efficient flow and preventing congestion. This approach allows us to test the feasibility of the program in a non-traditional space while still offering students an equivalent AYCTE experience.

Can I share my meal with someone else?

No. When you participate in the AYCTE pilot, your meal is for one individual. Food is not to be shared with others.

What stations in The Bear’s Den will be open during the Pilot Program?

All stations in The Bear’s Den will be open. Stations include:

  • Season’s (Salad Bar)
  • Spoonful (Soup)
  • Showcase (Rotating Global Cuisine, Halal Menu Items)
  • L’Chaim (Kosher Menu Items)
  • Twist (Pasta Station)
  • Stacked (Pre-Made Sandwiches Available in Deli Case)
  • Slices (Pizza Station)
  • Simple Servings (Top 9 Allergen Friendly Menu Items)
  • Savory (Protein, Vegetable, & Starch)
  • Sizzle (Grill Station)
  • Bliss (Dessert Bar Available in Center Island)
  • Hydration Station
Will Kosher be available at Bears Den during the pilot?

L’Chaim will be available for in-person ordering only during the All You Care to Eat pilot.

Additional Information

How did we decide on the name “All You Care to Eat”?

Many universities offer AYCTE or unlimited dining as meal options within the meal plan choices. This program is about offering variety and flexibility—students can select what they want and how much they want, based on their preferences. Additionally, we’ve provided a sustainable option for students who prefer to take their meal to go, allowing them to use a reusable container for a single entry and fill it with their desired meal selections.

What other options are available if I don’t want to participate in the pilot?
  1. Cherry Tree Deli (Open until 9pm)
  2. DUC Dining (Open until 7pm)
  3. Ibby’s Bistro (Open until 9pm)
  4. The Village (Open until 9pm)
  5. Corner 17 (Open until 8PM)
  6. Subway (Open until 8PM)
  7. LaJoys (Open until 6PM)
  8. The Fattened Caf. (Open until 6PM)
Are any other locations on campus piloting an All You Care to Eat concept?

Only The Bear’s Den will run the All You Care to Eat Pilot Program. All other dining locations will operate as normal. The decision to pilot it in The Bear’s Den was intentional. We believe this location provides the best fit for an AYCTE model and allows for optimization of choice and meets our special dietary considerations an AYCTE program would be expected to offer. The Bear’s Den offers a variety of food options and seating configurations, making it an ideal environment to test the feasibility and reception of this dining approach. While we are always open to evolving based on student needs, our current focus is on ensuring the success of the pilot at this location.