MSU to Introduce New Dining Options and Expand State Fountain Bakery

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State University is pleased to announce the introduction of new dining options for students, with some set to open as early as this fall, and more additions planned for 2025, including the restoration of an iconic campus establishment to its original location.

As part of the Perry Cafeteria renovation, State Fountain Bakery will return to its original location in 2025, offering an expanded menu. A beloved tradition at MSU for many years, the bakery is known for its unique baked goods, such as dog bone cookies, which are enjoyed by the campus community.

Work has already begun next to Perry, where crews are renovating the Student Media Center and University Florist building. The renovated space will house an expanded Subway and Bento Sushi, a new addition to campus that will serve sushi and a variety of Asian noodles. December also saw the start of a partial renovation at Fresh Food Company, which will include a stand-alone True Balance venue. This will provide individuals with common food allergens with additional dining options. Fresh Food Company will remain open during the renovation. Subway, Bento Sushi, and True Balance are all scheduled to open in time for the fall 2024 semester.

The University Florist has already moved to 205 Technology Boulevard, with retail items available at the MAFES Sales Store. The Henry F. Meyer Student Media Center, which houses offices for The Reflector student newspaper, will continue to operate in the same building.

In addition, the lower portion of Perry Cafeteria will feature an expanded and refreshed space for Moe’s Southwest Grill. Both the bakery and Moe’s will be closed during the 2024-25 academic year for renovations and are expected to reopen in August 2025.

“We are committed to continuously improving the dining experience at Mississippi State University, and this expansion is just the beginning of our plans,” said James Jankowski, resident district manager for MSU Dining Services. “The upcoming renovations demonstrate our dedication to enhancing the dining experience for our community.”

Other enhancements to campus dining in the near future include:

• A renovation starting in June 2025 to relocate and expand Einstein Bros. Bagels within Mitchell Memorial Library;
• Azalea Hall, MSU’s new residence hall, will offer hand-tossed, brick oven pizza and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, as well as food lockers for convenient student pickup;
• Updates to McArthur Café and the Colvard Student Union’s Gaddis Hunt Commons food court;
• Additional Maroon Markets to provide expanded access to grab-and-go items with self-checkout options;
• Renovations to Perry Cafeteria, which will introduce new dining concepts and expand the footprint of Starbucks upon completion in 2025.

“We are thrilled to enter a new era of dining at MSU with several exciting options opening in the next two years,” said MSU Vice President for Student Affairs Regina Hyatt. “These upgrades will aid us in better serving our community’s dining needs as part of our ongoing efforts to provide an exceptional student experience.”

Mississippi State University is committed to prioritizing the needs of its students. Find out more at www.msstate.edu.