News

Food-on-demand kiosk wins over college students

October 5, 2011

Nation's Restaurant News has recognized Sodexo as one of five winners of its 2011 Hot Concepts Awards for the company's FoD (Food on Demand) kiosk designed for college campus customers. Sodexo's FoD concept was selected for displaying bold tactics, outstanding creativity, and strong performance in a persistently sluggish economy, according to a company press release.

"FoD enables us to deliver an exceptional experience for college students," Tom Post, president, Sodexo Education – Campus, said in the release. "The abundant selections available combined with cool technology makes this concept a hit on college campuses."

The program is customizable for each campus and includes whatever food the school chooses to offer. Guests order digitally from a touchscreen kiosk; each dish is then individually prepared, and the customer is buzzed via smartphone or pager when the meal is ready. FoD is operating at six universities, including the University of Vermont in Burlington, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., Academy of Art in San Francisco, Northwestern University in Chicago, and Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y.

"We're able to customize what we offer to suit students' tastes," said Jeff Pente, Sodexo's senior director of brand management. "Choices might include fast casual, BBQ, upscale, all healthy choices, a pub-style operation – FoD enables us to do it all."

Sodexo's team of experts worked on the research and development of this concept for two years, teaming with Starfish and Lettuce Entertain You. Sodexo currently uses FoD in small accounts and as a secondary restaurant option for diners. Sodexo expects the demand for this concept to grow as it meets customer demands for healthy, delicious food that is prepared while you wait and ready in minutes.

Read more about custom kiosks.