© IJARW | ISSN (O) - 2582-1008 December 2024 | Vol. 6 Issue. 6 www.ijarw.com IJARW2375 International Journal of All Research Writings 481 LEVEL OF SATISFACTION AMONG SELECTED FOOD SERVICE STALLS IN CENTRAL MINDANAO UNIVERSITY James Andro Apacible Alvarez 1 , Earl Stephen Gonzaga Davocol 2 , Clarisse Hitalia Embate 3 , Emily Anne Mangornong Mulligan 4 , Danisse Raterta Pua 5 , Annie Fritce A. Aballe 6 Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon, Philippines ABSTRACT This study assessed the satisfaction levels of BS Hospitality Management students at Central Mindanao University regarding food stalls on campus, focusing on dimensions such as food quality, service quality, pricing, and the physical environment. Data were analyzed to identify trends and differences across demographics such as gender, age, year level, and religion. The findings revealed high satisfaction with food quality, service quality, and pricing, while the physical environment received neutral ratings, particularly in terms of temperature, seating comfort, and availability. Demographic analysis showed no significant differences in satisfaction by gender, year level, or religion; however, younger students (aged 17–19) reported higher satisfaction levels compared to older students (20–22). Recommendations include improving physical comfort, tailoring offerings for specific age groups, maintaining food quality standards, and ensuring competitive pricing to enhance overall dining experiences. These findings highlight the importance of balancing key service attributes to foster student satisfaction and loyalty. Keyword: food stalls, level of satisfaction, hospitality management students, food quality, service quality, pricing, physical environment quality 1. INTRODUCTION The food industry is an important component of every country. One of the most popular parts of this industry is food stalls, which provide convenient and low-expense food to customers. Nizam et al. (2022) pointed out that since street food stalls are relatively convenient, students in institution of higher education usually prefer these as a source of food. Similarly, Karim et al. (2024) noted that street food stalls have become an essential part of urban diets, seamlessly integrating into modern lifestyles because of their affordability and availability. On university campuses, the quality of food services can greatly impact the student experience, especially for those in hospitality management programs who are trained to have heightened expectations regarding service and food quality. Customer satisfaction in food services has been a topic of numerous studies, particularly in the street food context, but there needs to be more research on hospitality management students who might have better views of food stall services. Previous research conducted by Setyowati and Purwogati (2017) indicates that aspects such as food quality, service, and facilities have a major impact on customer satisfaction in competitive food service. However, it is essential to determine whether the same factors could influence students’ satisfaction with food stalls in hospitality management, especially at Central Mindanao University (CMU). As Hospitality Management students were given knowledge and training for customer service and food quality management, these students may provide some interesting perspectives on how campus food 2 services can be improved. Additionally, those studying hospitality management received training in customer service and food quality control, and thus, they could provide some recommendations as to how campus dining facilities can improve. This study aimed to assess the satisfaction of hospitality management students with the food stalls at CMU, focusing on factors such as food quality, service, pricing, and physical environment quality, as highlighted in previous studies. Drawing from research by Karki and Panthi (2018) and Pajomayo et al. (2024), this study also explores how food handling and hygiene impact customer satisfaction. By examining the specific preferences