With Market Square closed until the fall to undergo renovations, King Family Commons (KFC) has seen an increase in student attendance after opening as a new temporary dining hall.

“We had significant data which stated students’ dislike of Market Square, and after we opened East End Dining at Gutierrez Hall, it became very evident that we needed to have equal quality dining centers as soon as possible,” Jude Kiah, the associate vice chancellor of student affairs, said.

Students begin to line up for lunch inside KFC on Jan. 23, 2026. (TCU 360/Hailey Bentley)

KFC is located on the western side of campus, providing students who live in Worth Hills with a nearby dining option.

“It’s convenient to come here compared to other spots around campus,” Alexis Lofton, a sophomore nursing major, said. “All I have to do is walk down the stairs and come across. I don’t go anywhere else on campus anymore because it’s so close.”

After the changes to KFC, many students have reported longer lines than in previous years during peak dining hours.

“I’ve seen lines mainly at Caliente when it gets busier around 5 p.m. or 7 p.m., usually, but it goes pretty fast,” Lofton said.

“I think the wait times depend on what you’re getting,” Audrey Hackett, a sophomore political science and economics double major, said. “Last semester, less people came, so the lines were shorter.”

With the transition to a temporary dining hall, KFC has also seen modifications to its menu.

The Press offers a salad and sandwich bar, O’Brien’s has grill items and Caliente features Mazi dining, a Mediterranean-style option. Magnolias Zero7 remains an allergy-free dining option for students on campus.

“My favorite thing so far was the birria grilled cheese,” Sydney Peters, a sophomore nursing major, said.

Caliente offers a variety of dining options to students on Jan. 23, 2026. (TCU 360/Hailey Bentley)

Kiah said the changes were planned months in advance, using data to evaluate the projected cost and demand prior to choosing KFC as the best temporary option.

“Given that we are using a smaller facility, there are indeed lines, but they are very manageable,” Kiah said. “The new demand has been welcome and good to see. The building is alive, and students are enjoying the space in a way they have not previously.”