Glens Falls Hospital’s visitors and staff now have access to 24-hour dining at the newly-opened Au Bon Pain in the former Bistro area of the hospital.
Au Bon Pain, which means “the fresh bread” in French, has more than 220 locations worldwide with 50 facilities in hospitals. The new café offers fast, casual dining options, including a soup and salad bar, made-to-order sandwiches and fresh smoothies. Pre-packaged meals are also available.
According to Peter Cayan, senior director of support services at Glens Falls Hospital, the hospital sought to outsource the former Bistro area due to operating losses. As a result of the collaboration, the loss turned into a profit center for the hospital.
“It cost the hospital zero investment. We went immediately to black ink,” Cayan stated.
“We looked for a partnership with a chain having a well-known brand and a reputation for being health-conscious,” Cayan continued, noting that menu items are marked with caloric content and customers have the ability to look up nutritional information via a user-friendly computer kiosk.
Health Magazine recently designated Au Bon Pain as “America’s Healthiest Restaurant,” and trade journal Fast Casual Magazine selected it as the number one brand.
Au Bon Pain employs 23 people in the café and in a small commercial bakery in another area of the hospital.