Campus ID News
Card, mobile credential, payment and security
FEATURED
PARTNERS

Drake University maximizing off-campus program with Grubhub

Andrew Hudson   ||   Feb 07, 2023  ||   ,

Drake University’s fledgling off-campus program started in October of 2020, and it quickly became evident that mobile ordering would be a valuable addition. Grubhub joined the Drake CampusCash program just one short year later in October of 2021, and the partnership has provided Drake students with a wider variety of off-campus dining options than ever before.

Drake implemented its first off-campus program with card transaction system vendor, Transact Campus. “Students use their personally loaded stored value tender, Bulldog Bucks, to purchase food off campus at our six off-campus vendors, or in the Grubhub app,” says Sara Heijerman, Student Services Center Manager at Drake University. “Bulldog Bucks are the only funds available off campus – meal plan funds (Dining Dollars) are used only for on campus dining at our Sodexo food locations.”

“A notification from Transact alerted us that this was a new feature of the existing CampusCash program, and it seemed like a great addition to the program that was already in place,” recalls Heijerman. “The implementation went quickly and smoothly, and Grubhub has been a great partner since implementation.”

In addition to dining, Drake students can also use their Bulldog Bucks at the university bookstore and for campus printing. But it’s the new variety in student dining options available via the campus tender that has Heijerman most excited.

“Parents (and I) love that the off-campus program gives students a way to use some of their ID card funds for expanded food options,” says Heijerman. “And while our program is a small one, it seems to be well received and appreciated, and our office strives to grow the program each year.”

Using campus tenders with Grubhub

Drake’s meal plan funds, Dining Dollars, can only be used for on-campus dining. Those funds are tied to the meal plan and have limited use. But the university’s Bulldog Bucks can be used off campus.

“Our students can use their Bulldog Bucks in the Grubhub app, in the campus bookstore, and for campus printing,” says Heijerman. “Grubhub purchases can also be completed while on holiday breaks and at any participating locations, so it gives our students more opportunity to spend their Bulldog Bucks funds.”

This flexibility with Bulldog Bucks made Grubhub a popular option for off-campus dining virtually from the start. “Grubhub has consistently captured about half of our total off-campus program sales each month,” says Heijerman.

Just as significant is the variety in off-campus dining that Drake students now enjoy thanks to the partnership with Grubhub.

“I pull a report each month to see where Grubhub purchases are being delivered from, and it’s always interesting to see which restaurants are popular,” says Heijerman. “They are usually ones that the students cannot walk to or would not normally be in our neighborhood off campus program, which to me reinforces their value as a partner – they are providing food options that wouldn’t normally be a part of our card program.”

Even students that don’t necessarily choose to use Bulldog Bucks as their payment method still get a benefit from adding their campus card as a potential payment method, adds Heijerman. “Affiliating with a campus also gives students free access to Grubhub+, which is a nice perk,” she says.

Among other benefits, Grubhub+ offers free delivery on orders of $12 or more.

Drake eyeing more growth with Grubhub

Despite having only worked with Grubhub for a short period of time, the growth of the university’s off-campus program and the healthy usage of mobile ordering has Heijerman optimistic for the future.

“Currently, we are hoping to continue to grow program usage, both from the Grubhub and local business perspectives,” says Heijerman.

“Our off-campus program still feels relatively new, as we implemented during COVID shutdown, and the Grubhub partnership is now just over a year old,” she adds. “I’m hoping to grow usage year over year, and make sure this remains a valuable program for both our students and local merchant partners.”

Working collaboratively with Grubhub is helping Heijerman and her team to deliver on that ambition. “We have monthly check-ins to see how things are going, and to brainstorm promotions and advertising ideas,” says Heijerman. “They provide us with marketing materials and ‘swag’ to give out to students and make the whole partnership very easy.”

“I have had a great experience with Grubhub, and if you feel like your student population could benefit from the added service offering, it’s definitely worth consideration,” stresses Heijerman. “It is an easy partnership that gives students additional discounts and dining options with their campus card.”

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

RECENT POSTS

ColorID blog: Maximizing visitor management solutions

The third installment of ColorID's "Looking up to the Cloud" series examines the topic of visitor management solutions. Specifically, the role that cloud-based visitor management systems can play in creating a welcoming, convenient experience for campus visitors.
Mar 16, 23 / ,

Entrust report: Young consumers favor digital ID, seamless experience

In a recent entry to the Entrust blog, Jenn Markey, VP Product Marketing, Payments & Identity at Entrust, discussed the findings from the company's recent "Future of Identity" report. The report was compiled by the Entrust Cybersecurity Institute and sought to characterize consumer thoughts on passwordless authentication, hybrid identities, and ownership over personal identity information.

Expanding access control despite limited funds

There's never a shortage of desire to upgrade campus security and access control infrastructure, but securing the funding for such projects can be tricky business. In the third installment of his "Top Tips" series, ASSA ABLOY's Tyler Webb discusses some creative ways that universities source funding and pay for access control technology on campus.
CIDN logo reversed
The only publication dedicated to the use of campus cards, mobile credentials, identity and security technology in the education market. CampusIDNews – formerly CR80News – has served more than 6,500 subscribers for more than two decades.
Twitter

Join us, @NACCUorg, and @TouchNet to explore how campus card programs can successfully navigate the sales and procurement process. Join the webinar on June 6, 2 pm EDT. https://go.touchnet.com/l/652093/2022-05-18/lsndq

Webinar: Learn how the University of Arizona uses campus cards, mobile ordering, kiosks, lockers, and robots to revolutionize campus dining. April 7, 2-2:30 EDT. Register Now at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7821245544009488910?source=campus-id

As supply chain issues in 2021 persist, identity solutions provider @ColorID discusses ways campuses can to overcome potentially troublesome delays until the situation eases.

https://www.cr80news.com/news-item/protecting-your-campus-card-program-from-supply-chain-issues/

A dining services push at the @UBuffalo is reinforcing the utility of self-service checkout. @CBORD is improving the food service experience using the GET app, as well as Nextep kiosks and Oracle’s Micros Simphony POS.

https://www.cr80news.com/news-item/kiosks-self-service-tech-streamline-campus-food-service-u-buffalo/

Did you miss our recent webinar? No worries - watch it on-demand. Leaders from @NAU and the @UAlberta joined Ryan Audus, Touchnet, and Andrew Hudson, @CR80News, to discuss innovative mobile services and the future of mobile tech in higher ed. Watch now: https://bit.ly/31RFyLn

Load More...
Contact
CampusIDNews is published by AVISIAN Publishing
315 E. Georgia St.
Tallahassee, FL 32301
www.AVISIAN.com[email protected]
Use our contact form to submit tips, corrections, or questions to our team.
©2023 CampusIDNews. All rights reserved.