A new national restaurant chain is expected to replace Otto’s Cafe in Kern Building, which closed after the spring semester, The Centre Daily Times is reporting.

Dave Gingher, the university’s director of retail campus dining, told the CDT that Penn State has been in talks with a “not-yet-announced national chain to sign a contract” and that the university will announce details once a contract is finalized.

“We were very careful about that going through this process,” Gingher said to the CDT. “The concept that we have chosen will still be able to provide numerous choices (so) that people will be pleased.”

Gingher said that Otto’s closed because it needed infrastructural updates and that “trends show” that college students want national restaurants.

Otto’s was always a sort of “hidden gem” on campus; a quiet place for students to grab a bite to eat without the hustle and bustle of the dining halls or the HUB. I’ll reserve judgement on this decision until the chain is announced but if it turns out to be another greasy fast food place (see: Burger King or Chick-fil-A), it would be unfortunate in my estimation. (Irving’s has a location at the airport…can we call it a chain and have them move in?)

The new restaurant is expected to be open in time for the fall semester. We’ll have more once a contract is finalized.