By Steve Ifantis
Grubhub and The University of Tampa have partnered to make on-campus dining easy and convenient. Integrating Grubhub into the dining framework at UT is a game changer in how students can approach their dining choices with flexibility and convenience that will fit right into busy schedules. Several of the university’s dining locations are introducing modern digital solutions, allowing students to easily place orders using their mobile devices.
Expanded Grubhub Availability
Grubhub pickup is now available at three key dining locations across campus — Rathskeller, Spartan Club, and Morsani Hall eateries. The Spartan Club features favorites such as Einstein Bros. Bagels, Chick-fil-A, Fresh Creations, The Grill, and La Havana. At Morsani Hall, several options are connected with Grubhub, including Salsa Rico, Pandini’s, Star Ginger, Aussie Grill, AFC Sushi, and Dairy Queen/Orange Julius. One of the only exceptions to the Grubhub service is Ultimate Dining — an all-you-can-eat buffet with a to-go option under some meal plans. There is an Everyday App that will allow students to view the menus at Ultimate Dining and Panache if they are frequent diners at those two locations.
More Ordering and Pickup Convenience
An essential advantage of working together with Grubhub is that students can now check menus, customize what they want, and even check wait times before ordering anything from their handhelds.
“Incorporation has allowed students to queue for light meals more easily between class schedules,” said Bailey Parker.
The real-time updates in the menu, though advance ordering is possible, reduce the queue and waiting time for students to get their meals. Therefore, picking up is very efficient, especially during peak lunch hours. However the dining menu itself will remain the same. Students can still enjoy their favorite dishes while receiving the added convenience of ordering through Grubhub or an in-store kiosk, both of which accept numerous payment types: meal swipes, UT Dollars, Spartan Dollars, and credit cards. Moreover, this flexibility puts students at ease with dining, so they can effectively manage time and budget.
Free Convenience and Possible Benefits
One of the significant benefits of using Grubhub is that it does not come with any other added cost to the student. The fee for the food on Grubhub is equivalent to what a student would have paid in person at kiosks or dining locations. Therefore, this convenience does not present itself with any surprise costs or fees to the students. Something everyone should utilize is that all students who order off campus through Grubhub will get Grubhub+, a deal only available for UT students.
“If there’s nothing special on right now, they should still check the app and be sure to follow @utdiningservices on social media, to be updated in real-time if/when these offers appear,” said Parker.
This will further enrich the partnership, primarily for those students who love spending time dining out.
Responding to Feedback and Transition to Grubhub
Feedback is essential to make this partnership work, as any system would entail. Dining services will be available to cater to the concerns of students who are dissatisfied with their Grubhub meals. For any feedback or problems, email dining@ut.edu, where they will be addressed promptly, ensuring service is high. The decision to work with Grubhub was more than a way to enhance convenience and streamlined service. The other model of dining service had to offer that level of digital integration to handle student food orders properly. The Grubhub system will offer a much more user-friendly control, enabling students to customize and manage their orders much better. This also gels with the university’s mantra: leveraging modern technologies to provide an even better student experience — the smoothness of service and acceleration of that service during mealtimes.
UT’s partnership with Grubhub is another step toward enhancing the student experience related to campus dining. Grubhub will allow students to manage their time, get a more convenient, cheaper way of ordering food, avoid long queues with a shorter waiting time, and comfortably pay to personalize their meals. This makes everything more fluid, really providing students with an all-encompassing experience both on and off campus.