Restaurants

Grand Valley State students report longer waits after restaurant kiosk rollout

wolterke - stock.adobe.com

September 16, 2026

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New self-service ordering kiosks at Grand Valley State University in Michigan are drawing complaints from students and visitors who say the technology has increased wait times rather than speeding up food service, according to a report in the student newspaper The Grand Valley Lanthorn. Panda Express and Qdoba locations in the university's Kirkhof Center began using contactless Grubhub ordering kiosks following renovations, but customers have reported difficulty navigating the system and lengthy waits, according to the Grand Valley Lanthorn.

Some customers reported waits of 30 minutes or more. One visitor said she and a friend waited about 45 minutes at Panda Express after expecting the kiosks to help move a long line more quickly. She said customers appeared to spend considerable time navigating the ordering system and suggested that the traditional process of telling an employee what they wanted could have been more efficient.

Students also expressed concern that the system reduces personal interaction and can make it more difficult to resolve questions or address ordering problems. One student said reports of long waits have made her less likely to visit Panda Express because other campus dining choices are more convenient. The complaints have raised questions about whether the new kiosk system is delivering the faster, more convenient ordering experience it was designed to provide.