Columbia freshman Josh Ford was on his way to the Tower Food Court yesterday afternoon to treat himself to Edy’s Ice Cream.

He said he usually eats at Zoca’s, which serves Mexican food, when he goes to the food court near Pearce-Ford Tower.

Ford, who lives in Barnes-Campbell Hall, said he eats Zoca’s so often that some staff members know his order.

Dining Services Director Tim Colley said he’s happy with business at the food court and convenience store, but the numbers aren’t as high as he expected.

The food court opened in August and also has a Popeye’s, which has Cajun options.

The food court’s purchase count was 26,171 and the Pit Stop convenience store’s count was 9,281 in February, he said in an e-mail.

Colley said morning and evening food court traffic is high, but lunch numbers are lower because students aren’t at the bottom of the hill.

“Most of the classrooms are not close, so students don’t have time necessarily to go from a classroom area all the way down for lunch and get back up to class,” he said.

Colley said he’d like to increase lunch numbers, but campus traffic patterns don’t encourage sales during that time.

John Osborne, vice president of campus services and facilities, said officials might do promotions to help increase the numbers.

Colley said the food court is a good addition to campus dining because it’s convenient and provides new options.

Popeye’s is the most popular, Colley said.

He said it’s the first Popeye’s franchise on a college campus in the U.S.

It’s also the only Popeye’s in Bowling Green, according to the Popeye’s Web site.

Students like Zoca’s because it’s similar to Izzi’s in the Garrett Food Court, he said.

Colley said they’re different brands, so the menus weren’t the same, but dining services made the menus more similar because of student feedback.

He said Edy’s provides an option that wasn’t offered before.

Frankfort sophomore Jason Nsafoah, who lives in Keen Hall, said he prefers to eat at Fresh Food Company and Subway in Downing University Center because they offer more and healthier options.

He said he’s eaten at the Tower Food Court a few times when he doesn’t want to walk to DUC.

Osborne said officials will add a dining location to Snell Hall, at the top of the hill, when the building opens in the fall. He’s not sure if other locations will be added.