Tash Mahnokaren
Staff Writer
Whether it’s the extra time it takes to find a parking space or those few extra minutes to grab that coffee or snack before lecture, every second counts when you’re trying to get to classes on time, and the last thing you want to see while running on borrowed time is a line at the snack bar minutes before class.
With the ISU Food mobile ordering application, you can skip the line and get your food fresh without the wait. The app was recently launched campus-wide on August 25.
James Rich, formerly an employee of Chartwells, has now moved on to work for the company that developed the app, SPF Solutions, a company with “strong Pocatello and ISU ties,” according to Rich who said several employees are connected to ISU and the area.
Rich continues to develop the app and works closely with the Chartwells team to improve the application in order to meet the needs of students.
“We are essentially his clients now,” said Chantelle Roy, marketing director of the Chartwells management team.
When an order is made on the ISU Food app, the ticket is printed at the venue and food is made to be picked up, giving students the flexibility to collect their food before or in between classes.
Orders can be made hours before the collection time.
Sometimes, getting food or a beverage item before class can be the cause of a missed class. In this situation many might feel that it is easier to skip class than to face the stigma associated with walking in late.
“We want to make things easy and convenient for students,” said Roy.
Being a fairly recent release, there are still students around campus who are unaware of the application but among those who have used the service, responses have been positive.
Chartwells is also currently holding a contest through the app. In the menus of the application there are hidden sweepstakes entries and if found these can be submitted the same way in which you would submit an order to be entered to win prizes such as an iPad mini or a free meal.
The app is currently available for Grill Nation and Einstein Bros. Bagels at the Pond Student Union Building, Rendezvous Food Courts, Towers After Hours at the Turner Dining Commons and for pizza delivery to the dorms.
“We are still looking to add it to more venues and expand the application to a pay at pick up option and flex option,” said Roy. “These are things we’re still working on and it is definitely a continuing process, we are not done with it yet.”
You can download the ISU Food app to try for yourself at http://www.onelink.to/4vhwyy.
