Catering company Appèl, which will operate Windesheim’s restaurants and coffee bars from January 1, 2026, wants to surprise students and employees with creative and innovative choices.
The nationally operating Appèl is taking over all food and beverage facilities in Zwolle and Almere from its current caterer, Eurest, including the SPAR on the Zwolle campus. The partnership runs until the summer of 2031, with the final expiry date set for three years later.
The acquisition will not result in any major organizational changes, as Appèl will retain Eurest’s current staff. In terms of pricing, the caterer is also in the same league as Eurest, says Erika Vonk, Business Unit Manager Campus at Appèl. She has been preparing for the takeover since November, along with an account manager and an implementation team from Appèl.
Vonk: “We want to differentiate ourselves through creative and innovative ideas to encourage people to eat healthier. We start with what you like and whether we can make that choice just a little bit healthier. So, not patronizing, but surprising and responding to new trends.”
As an example, Vonk mentions a more sustainable white sandwich that doesn’t use milk and has added healthy fiber. Or a ‘hybrid’ sausage roll, with a filling that’s part meat and part plant-based. “A new trend we’re embracing is the popular ‘pinsa’, a base somewhere between pizza and focaccia, covered with various toppings.”
Appèl also wants to surprise students and employees with daily and weekly offers, savings promotions and theme weeks.
Fixed formulas
But the caterer will primarily be creating more variety among its ten service points in Zwolle and Almere. This will be achieved through fixed Appèl formats, each with its own unique appeal.
The restaurant in the X building will become a ‘Goodish’, which will sell more ready-made products than the large ‘Food Square’ in the C building.
The coffee bar in the Circus building in Almere will become ‘Lemons & Beans,’ focusing primarily on to-go lunches and drinks.
The Grand Café in building G will be transformed into “FAIR’s” and will have an even more welcoming atmosphere.
The concept for the ‘Coffee & Co’ bars is more extensive than at Eurest: here Appèl will organize special deals, offer unique snacks or sell products from local entrepreneurs.
Sign language
Also new for Windesheim is a ‘Sign Language’ Coffee Bar, located in the Landdrost building in Almere. The staff in this bar are hearing impaired and will therefore use sign language.
Most of the refurbishments and adjustments to the catering facilities will take place during the Christmas holidays. Only the Grand Café and the Sports Café will be done later, after the turn of the year. The Sports Café will soon be renamed ‘Prepp Club’, a new Appèl concept with a sporty appearance.
The products of the SPAR supermarket in Zwolle will be more closely aligned with the restaurant, so that there is less competition with the same products and more focus on how the two can complement each other.
Slices of bread
Does Appèl also cater to visitors on a budget? Vonk: “Absolutely, for them we have the ‘Best Basics’ line. It includes a sandwich with cheese and salad for €2.10, a lunch deal (sandwich with a drink) for €3.25, or an attractively priced cup of soup or panini.”
However, Appèl is no longer offering the option of simply buying two slices of bread and two slices of cheese. At Eurest that cost a total of €1.30.
For banqueting & meeting services, the basic offer at Appèl (like at Eurest) is the vegetarian option, with meat and/or fish as an optional extra.
The change of caterer does not entail any additional costs for the university compared to Eurest.
The catering manager for Appèl at Windesheim has not yet been announced. The current catering manager, Marlou Meijer zu Schlochtern, will remain with Eurest.
Communitymanager
In addition to a new catering manager, Appèl will appoint a community manager in Zwolle. This manager will focus on communications, marketing, and hospitality three days a week. The community manager will be the face of Appèl at the university and will build a hospitable community with satisfied customers.
“This extra focus on community, collaboration, and partnership with Windesheim was a key reason why we chose Appèl from the four candidates for our catering,” says Mark van Vilsteren of Windesheim’s Facilities division.
“The four applicants distinguished themselves by submitting action plans in the areas of Concept and guestsatisfaction, Sustainability and Collaboration and partnership. Appèl’s submission was deemed the best by the assessment committee.”
Almere
Van Vilsteren: “We’ve also been able to make special arrangements with Appèl regarding flexibility regarding catering in Almere. Because the completion date for the new campus building in Almere is not yet known, nor are the associated changes to the old locations.”
text: Ernest Mettes
photo: Jasper van Overbeek
Billie Cups become Circulcups
The Billie Cups will soon be discontinued by the new caterer. Appèl uses a similar system of reusable cups and tokens, called Circulcup.
The Billie Cups and tokens can be redeemed at restaurants and bars until December 19, 2025. They will then offer a €1 discount in return on the purchase of a product.
Eurest catering vouchers are valid until December 19.
Banqueting orders can be placed in the Eurest system until the end of the calendar year. The new banqueting folder will be available before January 1.
