BY ELESE MCKINLEY
FOR THE OBSERVER
OPELIKA — On July 8, Bison Bistro by FRANKY JUNES opened its doors at Southern Union State Community College, offering a new dining option on campus. The restaurant is operated by Rick Lanier, a seasoned cook with years of experience, and his wife, Karen Lanier, a retired Navy veteran who cooked during her service. Bison Bistro evolved from Lanier’s successful food truck, FRANKY JUNES, into a full-service establishment.
On Aug. 19, Bison Bistro celebrated its grand opening as students returned to campus for the new semester.
Lanier, who previously studied at Southern Union, reflected on his time at the college.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my two years studying at Southern Union,” Lanier said. “While it was different since I was 50 at the time, I enjoyed my experiences and time here. Being able to be on campus again, but this time managing and operating Bison Bistro, has been enjoyable.”
Bison Bistro offers a wide variety of menu options, including chicken fingers, salads, sandwiches, vegetarian dishes, desserts, and more.
Lanier emphasizes a customer-first approach, saying, “One of our non-negotiables here at Bison Bistro is if someone wants something that they don’t see on the menu, we try to make it happen for them.”
Committed to serving both the campus and the broader community, Bison Bistro is open to the public from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. While serving students is a primary focus, the Bistro also aims to attract customers from outside the college, strengthening ties between Southern Union and the local community.
Open to the public, the Bistro currently employs five staff members who prepare and serve breakfast and lunch. The restaurant also caters to various departments at Southern Union State Community College and crafts meals for the college’s sports teams.
Lanier has ambitious plans for Bison Bistro, including offering seasonal meals for holiday celebrations. He is also working on introducing an optional meal plan for students, which would include a special ID card. Unlike traditional meal plans, this one would allow unused funds to roll over from one semester to the next, giving students more flexibility in managing their dining expenses.
Opened on July 8, Bison Bistro is set to become a staple at Southern Union State Community College.
As the restaurant continues to grow, Lanier is actively hiring and looking to expand its involvement in the community.
