SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO : More Schools Jump on Fast-Food Wagon

Fast-food lunch courts, similar to one pioneered nationally at Capistrano Valley High School last year, are coming to several other high school campuses this fall.

The Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees on Tuesday approved adding food courts at Aliso Niguel and Dana Hills high schools. Some fast-food items also will be sold at San Clemente High School.

School officials say the program offers students on closed campuses, such as Capistrano Valley and Aliso Niguel, more popular lunch choices.

At the open campuses, officials hope the fast food will keep students safely on campus for lunch, rather than going off in their cars.

“We’re taking a concept that worked very well last year and expanding on a good thing,” district spokeswoman Jacqueline Price said.

As for the nutritional value of the fast food to be served, school officials say many of the items are comparable to or even better than similar items prepared by the district.

District Food Services Director William Caldwell said companies such as Pizza Hut and Taco Bell have taken extra steps to develop recipes that meet school nutritional guidelines.

The lunch courts will be set up in different ways at the campuses.

At Capistrano Valley and Aliso Niguel high schools, the trustees approved licensing agreements with Taco Bell and Pizza Hut, part of the Pepsico restaurant group.

The trustees also approved a licensing agreement with Taco Bell for Dana Hills High School.

Under the licensing agreements, school food service employees will make the Taco Bell and Pizza Hut items from scratch on campus, much like any other franchise.

The district will make a profit from food sales and, in return, will pay royalties, about 5% to 10% of the food sales, to Pepsico.

Prices are also about the same as those at any franchise, although some items cost more because of the greater salaries for district food servers.

Trustees also approved partnerships with several local fast-food franchises to sell ready-to-eat items at district high schools.

At San Clemente High, students will find food from McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, Subway and Taco Bell. Dana Hills High will offer ready-made items from Pizza Hut and Subway. Capistrano Valley High School will also offer items from Subway.

District middle schools will also sell ready-made foods to students from Ballpark Pizza, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, Subway and Taco Bell.

The district is also considering partnerships with Ameci Pizza and Pasta, Dairy Queen, 2 for 1 Pizza, Wienerschnitzel, Green Burrito, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Sub Station II.