BBS Architects Engineers

Iowa State University

Lance and Ellie's Sandwich Shop
Lance and Ellie's Sandwich Shop

Owner: Iowa State University (Dining Services)
Architectural and Engineering Design Services: BBS Architects | Engineers
Food Service Consultant: Bakergroup Food Service Consulting & Design
General Contractor: ASI Commercial Construction, Inc.
Construction Completed: January 2018
Project Data: 650 GSF
Construction Cost: $352,750

Photo Credit: Tim Bungert, BBS Architects | Engineers

Client Need:

The first level of the Memorial Union includes a food court that houses several ISU Dining venues and tenant vendors.  An existing Subway sandwich shop was at the end of its lease and ISU Dining was seeking to create a new ISU branded custom sandwich shop in its place.  The food court and the sandwich shop are heavily used, so the design and construction schedule were compressed to minimize the time that the space would be closed for construction.

BBS Approach:

BBS worked closely with representatives from ISU Dining Services and Facilities Planning and coordinated closely with our food service consultant to create Lance and Ellie’s sandwich shop within the existing space.  With only 650 square feet to work with, our team was challenged to understand every aspect of the operation in order to provide the highest level of space efficiency.  The existing space held numerous challenges, not the least of which included an L-shaped floor plan, limited floor-to-floor height and available MEP services.  BBS and our food service consultant responded with layouts allowing for efficient food preparation and a focus on the customer experience.  Finishes, specialty lighting, and signage were selected to present the image desired by the client.  On-site verification during our design process, and the careful vetting of critical details allowed BBS and our consultant to provide closely coordinated and detailed design documents that kept the project in budget and completed on an aggressive schedule.

Solution:

Lance and Ellie’s features a primary sandwich serving/preparation line and a secondary line for grab and go order preparation at the front of the space.  These areas carry a high level of finish, successfully creating the client’s desired image for the restaurant.  There is additional preparation and storage space in the back of the space with more utilitarian finishes.  New coiling doors at the front counter were included as part of this project.  Existing plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and telecommunications services were updated and extended to support the new space and equipment.  Installation of these new MEP services impacted areas outside the renovated areas. Our design drawings clearly delineated these areas to limit unnecessary disruption to those areas during construction.

Levitt Center for University Advancement
Kemin Food Sciences Lab Renovation
Sabin Hall Renovation – LEED Gold
ETRC Hoover Hall
Hospital Emergency Room Renovation & Expansion
Beardshear Hall Remodeling
ABC - Office Build-Out
Camp Dodge Pool Campus Improvements
Biological Sciences Facility
Iowa Events Center
VRAC C6 and Office Suite
Dodge House Renovations
LeBaron Hall Replacement Study
ETRC Howe Hall
219 Eighth Street
Covered Walkway
Goodnow Hall Restoration & Renovation
Utah Farm Bureau Center
Minnesota Farm Bureau Center
Corporate Headquarters
Home Office Building with Expansion
Office Renovation
MacKay Hall Auditorium Renovation
Extension 4-H Youth Building
Memorial Union Food Court
BBS at 219 8th Street
Union Drive Community Center Renovations
Des Moines Public Market
Corporate Headquarters Renovation
Coover Hall Infrastructure Study
Arizona Farm Bureau Center
Chemistry Building Addition & Renovation
Corporate Highrise
Catholic Pastoral Center Rehabilitation
Terminal
Food Sciences Building - Room 2379 Renovation
Hub Tower Elevator Modernization
Science Center - New Facility
Reid “E” Research Facility
New Office
Wyoming Farm Bureau Center
Hub Tower Office Tenant Improvement
Camp Dodge Chapel Addition and Renovation
Executive Suites Renovation
Parking Garage
Common Ground - Coffee Shop
Iowa City Federal Building - VHA Renovations
Hub Tower Conference Center
College of Human Sciences
IADA Office Renovation
© 2025 BBS Architects | engineers, All rights reserved.