Inconsistent wait times, decreased wages present at new campus restaurant
By Luke Thomas, September 1, 2026
Burger Envy opened at Cal Poly Pomona Aug. 17, debuting a streamlined menu to a mixed early reception from students.
Burger Envy is CPP Dining Services’ new restaurant located in the Campus Center Marketplace that replaced Carl’s Jr. The replacement was announced Feb. 26, with Carl’s Jr. closing doors at the end of the 2026 spring semester. According to David Corral, the director of dining services, the restaurant change was designed to create more value for CPP students.
The menu has been stripped down compared to Carl’s Jr. with items such as the Chicken Sandwich and Bacon Cheeseburger receiving no similar product at Burger Envy. This decision to simplify the menu was to focus on faster production and cheaper prices, according to Corral.
“Student-centric, value and quality of items is what we wanted to deliver with Burger Envy,” Corral said.
The goal of faster production got off to a stumbling start during the initial opening. While food was prepared more quickly during quieter periods, wait times steeply increased during more popular hours. The delays were amplified by two waits: one to order and another for food preparation. The longest delay in the opening week occurred on Thursday evening, when the average wait time for food reached 30–40 minutes.
“I ordered at about 6:05, it’s been 20 minutes, I have a class at 7:00 and I might not get my order in time,” said mechanical engineering student Maximilian Von Hemple during the rush. He received his food at 6:42 with enough time to spare to get to his class.
However, Burger Envy improved following its opening stumble. Wait times during the midday rush hours have been met with quick food production, although the wait times in the evening remain in the 20–30-minute range.
As for cheaper prices, many of the menu options cost less or the same as Carl’s Jr.’s former pricing. Burger Envy’s hamburger and veggie burgers are sold for $3.70, while the cheeseburger and double cheeseburger go for $4.25 and $6.25. Chicken tenders with dipping sauce can be bought in twos or threes for $5 or $7.50.
Every entree can be upgraded to a combo for $3.40 more, which includes fries and a small drink, although dipping sauces cost an extra 50 cents for burger combos. Burger Envy’s milkshake costs $4.95 and comes in French vanilla, chocolate and Oreo flavor.
Although Carl’s Jr. previously contained some affordable options of its own, including the Star Deal of two double cheeseburgers for $6, cheaper than just one at Burger Envy, and a variety of coupons that were distributed in The Poly Post newspaper. According to Corral, the possibility of coupons or other forms of discount could be implemented at Burger Envy later in the semester with the goal of giving back to the students.
According to an anonymous user and separate commenter on the CPP Reddit page, the change of restaurants also came with a change of pay, from $20 an hour to $16.90 an hour. But additional comment and verification were unable to be gathered from the two users as of press time.
Burger Envy’s food quality has also garnered a mixed reaction from students online, the burgers in particular facing the most criticism of a downgrade from Carl’s Jr. One student on the CPP community Discord mentioned the overcooked patty for his cheeseburger and reactions on the CPP Reddit page have called the burgers subpar.
“I think it’s a downgrade,” said electrical engineering student Eric Nguyen. “My meat came a little burnt and there wasn’t anything special about their burger. I think the main downside is the lack of options.”
Responses from interviews at the restaurant had students more satisfied with their meal, although mentions of disappointment compared to the previous restaurant still remain among some.
Burger Envy has a suggestion page accessible at its storefront which asks students for feedback and possible interest in future menu items.