Crêpe cart finds fixed home in Wackadoo’s

The Crêpe Royale food cart, which visits UCF's Student Union every week, will be moving inside the Union for a more permanent stay.

CEO of Crêpe Royale and UCF alumna, Alexandria Favors said the business will be subleasing a portion of the Wackadoo's game room in addition to its location in the Amway Arena.

"The Student Union has a lot of traffic flow," Favors said. "That's why we chose to sublet there, and the portion of Wackadoo's is not too big and not too small."

If one of the vendors in the building decides to sublease some of its space, the Student Union administration has veto power but does not directly make the decision, said Rick Falco, associate director for maintenance and operations for the Student Union.

"Wackadoo's is very excited that a new concept individually owned and operated by a UCF alumnus, is coming," said Dean Monaco, co-owner of Wackadoo's. "They were by far the most passionate about being at UCF and being in the Student Union."

In the beginning, Wackadoo's considered exploring how to use the space to sell ice cream itself, Monaco said, but it was decided that it would be better with Crêpe Royale's concept. Monaco also said the vendor will have its own hours of operation separate from Wackadoo's and about 1,000 square feet of space.

Favors said that Crêpe Royale will be serving its full menu including breakfast crêpes, sweet and savory crêpes, as well as gelato and soft-serve ice cream. The full menu can be found on its Web site, creperoyale.com.

"I've had their crêpes and they're pretty good," said Vaden Vanterpool, UCF alumnus and general manager of Wackadoo's. "I don't know if I would eat there every day, but I know I can't wait for their soft-serve."

The company has received UCF's approval and is in the midst of getting the required legal permits from the county and state, Favors said. She also said construction will begin before the end of March and should be finished in two to three months.

"Crêpe Royale offers a new option for students," Falco said. "In several surveys we do on an annual basis, there is constant feedback from students that they are looking for new variety in the building."

Favors said the decision was easy because Crêpe Royale is already established  in the sizeable UCF market.

"The Market Day is a good way to add some variety to the Union's food options without a permanent location," Falco said. "If feedback from students is positive, it can open the door for future possibilities. The instant, and overwhelmingly positive, feedback that Crêpe Royale has received definitely played a part in Wackadoo's decision to sublease space to them."

Falco said it's possible for other vendors who have success at Market Wednesdays to seek a more permanent location, if the Student Union has space available.

Student employment will also be offered by Crêpe Royale, Favors said. The process will be conducted by a human resources department through applications. Work study will also be an option once the business is more familiar with the procedures, according to Favors.

"We offer vegetarian options and a little bit of Caribbean with our jerk chicken crêpe," Favors said. "There will be a variety of flavors made to order, fresh, healthy with no fat or preservatives. It's just a really quick, healthy option with a lot of variety."