WELLS FARGO- SHOREVIEW CAFÉ

Rippe Associates partnered with Wells Fargo to transform the Shoreview campus café into a modern, employee-focused dining destination that supports both daily convenience and long-term workplace engagement. The renovation and expansion reimagined an underutilized convenience retail space into a fully staffed, multi-station corporate dining café designed to serve a campus of approximately 1,000 employees, with peak lunch service for 350 guests. Opening in December 2025, the project reflects Wells Fargo’s broader initiative to reinvest in corporate amenities and enhance the overall workplace experience.

The project originated from a 2022 study commissioned by Wells Fargo to evaluate a minor renovation of the existing café. As the client advanced strategic decisions to consolidate departments and maximize occupancy at the Shoreview campus, the scope expanded into a comprehensive upgrade of the building’s amenity spaces. Rippe Associates was selected based on this early engagement and trusted collaboration, allowing the team to guide the project from initial analysis through full design. Working closely with Gensler as architect and interior designer, Eurest as operator, Boelter as equipment dealer, and McGough as construction partner, the team delivered a coordinated solution aligned with operational goals and brand standards.

The primary objective was to evolve the café into a full-service dining experience that balances menu variety, speed of service, and operational efficiency. The final design features a made-to-order deli, rotating chef-driven hot entrée station, full salad bar with soup, and a 24-hour micromarket offering grab-and-go items and customizable espresso beverages. A self-checkout model supports limited staffing while extending access to meals for second- and third-shift employees. Designed for flexibility, the kitchen accommodates both on-site production and rethermalization from a central production facility.

Key design highlights include an open servery that flows directly into a comfortable seating area, achieved through strategic wall removal to create a more inviting and restorative environment. Customer circulation was carefully planned from point of order to self-checkout, minimizing congestion during peak periods and reinforcing an intuitive guest experience. Back-of-house planning prioritized efficiency and adaptability, with adequate cold and dry storage allowing the café to receive direct deliveries—an operational upgrade from its former satellite model.

One of the project’s defining technical solutions was the exclusive use of ventless, all-electric cooking equipment, eliminating the need for ductwork in the existing structure while supporting a diverse menu. Accelerated ovens and ventless combi ovens provide flexibility and speed, while sustainability measures, including LED lighting, low-flow plumbing fixtures, and a ventless dish machine, reduce energy and water consumption. The successful completion of the Shoreview Café has led to additional renovation projects with Wells Fargo in other states, underscoring Rippe Associates’ role as a trusted partner in corporate foodservice design.