Written by Cianna Jay // Graphic by Makayla McDonald
Visitors to the Harding Starbucks can now order through the Starbucks app, a process implemented this summer. Starbucks is one of many on-campus dining locations to add a mobile ordering option, as customers can use the Boost app to preorder items from Panda Express, Einstein Bros. Bagels and Midnight Oil Coffeehouse. Greg Chaffin, the interim general manager of Chartwells at Harding, said Chartwells is also working on setting up mobile ordering at Tacker’s Shake Shack and Slader’s Alaskan Dumpling Co.
Customers have taken to using the Starbucks app to order on campus. Chaffin said last week, Starbucks was averaging 40 mobile orders a day.
“Our team at Starbucks has raved about this change,” Chaffin said. “Students can preorder before chapel and set the pickup time for after chapel. Preorders also help keep the line down and speed up service, improving the guest experience.”
Students have expressed positive feelings about ordering through the Starbucks app. Sophomore Rylee Gregg said as a socially anxious person, she feels better about using the Starbucks app and not having to order in person. She also said using the app provided a smoother process than ordering in line.
“I honestly was really excited,” Gregg said. “Whenever they put the announcement out, I sent it to my friend, cause we’re both kind of the same when it comes to talking to people and that kind of anxiety thing. But I’m really glad they added it because I just think it’s a lot easier and quicker.”
Junior Mary Ella Baker noted that students can wait for their order at a table and study when they order using the app. Students cannot use Dining Dollars if they order with the Starbucks app, which Baker said was the one negative aspect of mobile ordering, but she will continue to use the app.
“I think it’s kind of fun,” Baker said.
Mobile ordering is not the only change to the checkout process at the campus dining locations. Both Chick-fil-A and the Student Center Market have implemented self-checkout kiosks at which students can use Dining Dollars.
Harding Chief Information Officer Keith Cronk said many companies are switching to self-checkouts for economic reasons and to adapt to changes in technology. Even without the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, technology would still have moved in the direction of self-checkouts, Cronk said. He said he likes the customizable nature of ordering using a kiosk.
“You’re less likely to have the communication problems,” Cronk said. “I like it from that point of view.”
