Bringing Fresh, Scratch-Made Food to Burris Lab School

Burris Laboratory School in Indiana has a long history of high academic standards and close ties to Ball State University. For years, the school relied on Ball State University’s dining services department to operate its cafeteria. While that arrangement worked operationally, over time the quality of the meals became a concern.

As leaders planned ahead for the 2025–2026 school year, they decided it was time to explore other options—specifically, a partner that could deliver better food and be more responsive to the day-to-day needs of a K–12 school environment.

The Search: Prioritizing Fit, Not Just Food

Rather than rushing the decision, Burris took a deliberate approach. The team spent time getting to know Ordo, asking detailed questions and evaluating whether the partnership would work in practice, not just on paper.

That process mattered. Burris needed a vendor that could do more than serve meals—they needed one that could adapt to their existing systems and support administrators as requirements evolved.

The Partnership: Reliable Service and Strong Relationships

Since partnering with Ordo, Burris administrators describe the experience as consistently positive. They value the responsiveness of the Ordo team and how quickly issues are addressed when they come up. Communication is clear, and follow-through is dependable.

Just as important, the relationship extends beyond administrators. Students have built familiarity with the chefs and the on-site team, and that visibility has helped create a welcoming cafeteria environment. Service has been reliable and consistent, day in and day out.

For Burris, one of the biggest differentiators has been flexibility. Ordo worked closely with the school to support several operational needs, including:

• Integrating with Burris’s point-of-sale system
• Hiring and managing serving staff
• Implementing administrative processes that made daily operations more efficient

These details reduced friction for the school team and made the transition smoother than expected.

A Better Fit for the Long Term

Burris Laboratory School’s experience highlights the importance of choosing a food service partner that understands schools—not just food production.

By switching from a large university dining operation to a partner built for K–12 environments, Burris gained better service, stronger communication, and the flexibility needed to support both students and staff heading into the 2025–2026 school year and beyond.