Tiger Food ended its nine-year business relationship with Karen's Chinese Restaurant last Tuesday after delivery complications prompted disputes between restaurant owner Karen Ong and Tiger Food manager David Madden '03.
Despite a contract that makes Tiger Food a delivery service for Karen's through the end of the year, Madden said Tiger Noodle will be replacing Karen's next week as Tiger Food's source of Chinese cuisine.
Ong said Madden's decision was more a result of personal tensions than a business decision.
Madden said Ong intended to go to the student agency manager and have him replaced, as she did for a Tiger Food manager two years ago. Ong denies attempting to dismiss Madden, adding that such decisions are up to the manager of student agencies.
"I have no right, no authority to decide who will be manager," Ong said. "I can only give my opinion."
Ong said she only reported to the director of student agencies two years ago because the Tiger Food manager at the time was not doing a good job. In regard to Madden she said, "If he didn't do anything wrong, he has nothing to be afraid of for being replaced."
Madden, who personally made the decision to discontinue business with Ong, said, "She has unrealistic expectations of what a Tiger Food manager should be like."
Ong said she was unhappy with Madden's management of his drivers — for example, no one was on duty to deliver 21 student orders on Oct. 5. She was upset that her customers were unsatisfied and felt obligated to call them and apologize for Tiger Food. She also had to turn down additional student orders that night because of the lack of drivers.
Madden said Karen's suffered no financial loss because he paid for the orders and eventually delivered the food himself. Madden also gave the customers a $5 discount coupon as an apology and created the position of assistant manager, held by Ryan Reich '04, to take over responsibility for the agency's drivers.
Ong said despite current problems with Tiger Food, Madden's decision was uncalled for. "In business, you always have dispute, but there's always something you can work out amicably," he said.
Ong said her relationship with Tiger Food began one month after her restaurant first opened in 1993, when a 'Prince' survey of five local Chinese restaurants gave it the highest marks. Since then, Karen's has been a popular choice for students said Karen's brought in more than 100 orders each night for Tiger Food three years ago.
"I feel very sad to lose the customers on campus," Ong said with tears in her eyes. "They have been so supportive, and I want to show my appreciation for them."
Ong said Madden's decision is unfair to the students on campus, pointing to the 'Prince' Access Arts survey to show that students like her Chinese food best. She said a Tiger Food manager needs to cater to students' interests and she is upset that Madden made his decision without consulting customers.
Madden said he thinks students prefer Tiger Noodle and Karen's will suffer more than Tiger Food from the business breakup. "Tiger Food is a much less replaceable service for Karen's than Karen's is replaceable for Tiger Food," he said.
But Ong said she does not want to disappoint students and plans to continue delivery service on campus by recruiting student drivers. "Even though we are not a part of Tiger Food, we can still provide food on campus," she said.
Ong said her service will be cheaper because Tiger Food prices include a surcharge for the agency's expenses and profit. She will only charge the usual $1.50 delivery fee.
Ong can not predict what business will be like without Tiger Food, but she still has hopes the partnership will remain intact. She is consulting with her lawyer concerning the contract and has approached Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Students Thomas Dunne.
Madden is already thinking ahead. "I have big ideas for where I want Tiger Food to go this year, and I want to leave a good business for [future managers]," he said.
Read More
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson reflects on path to the Supreme Court in campus lecture
Isaac Bernstein and Justus WilhoitAt Princeton’s Harlan Lecture, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson discussed her journey to the Supreme Court, the power of dissenting opinions, and the importance of inspiring future generations.
At Princeton’s Harlan Lecture, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson discussed her journey to the Supreme Court, the power of dissenting opinions, and the importance of inspiring future generations.
Student employment in flux as University navigates budget cuts
Kian PetlinThe future of student employment remains uncertain amid budget cuts, with impacts ranging from reduced hours to staffing shortages.
The future of student employment remains uncertain amid budget cuts, with impacts ranging from reduced hours to staffing shortages.
Five percent of Class of 2029 identify as Black or African-American, lowest since 1968
Sena ChangIn the Class of 2029, 5 percent of students identified as Black or African American — the lowest share in many years, compared to the roughly seven to nine percent range in the past two decades.
In the Class of 2029, 5 percent of students identified as Black or African American — the lowest share in many years, compared to the roughly seven to nine percent range in the past two decades.