5 tech things: UCLA plans mobile ordering expansion

In this special edition of its 5 Things series, Food Management highlights five recent technology-related developments affecting the foodservice world.

Here’s your list for today:

1.    UCLA to expand mobile order to all campus takeout locations

UCLA has announced plans to expand its use of mobile ordering on campus to include all takeout dining locations on the Los Angeles campus this coming fall. UCLA utilizes Transact Mobile Ordering, and has made the decision to expand the service following a successful trial period at UCLA's Bruin Café and Epicuria locations.

Read more: UCLA plans mobile ordering expansion

2.    Distinctive pizza developed with help from chatbot

Motor City Pizza in Texas is putting artificial intelligence to the test with a new menu item created by the popular chatbot ChatGPT. The pizza, which uses grilled Mexican corn (elotes), was suggested to owner Greg Tierney by regular customer Winston Edmondson, but lacked something to make it truly distinctive until ChatGPT suggested fresh lime wedges as a garnish. "Just to give it one more burst of flavor. Before you put it in your mouth, give that lime a squeeze," Tierney suggests.

Read more: Lewisville restaurant turned to ChatGPT to enhance its menu

3.    Grubhub to bring off-premise food order to Homewood Suites guests

Related:5 things: NYC schools launch school kitchen dashboard to promote meal offerings

Online and mobile food-ordering and delivery platform Grubhub and extended-stay brand Homewood Suites by Hilton are taking the guesswork out of ordering a meal while traveling through their latest partnership. The companies will bring off-premises dining options to guests through the Grubhub app at nearly 500 Homewood Suites locations across the country.

Read more: Grubhub and Homewood Suites by Hilton Bring Food Delivery to Guests at U.S. Hotels

4.    Virtual restaurant brand firm Nextbite acquired by competitor C3’s owner

SBE Hospitality Group and virtual brand platform C3’s founder and CEO Sam Nazarian has solely acquired Nextbite and its virtual brands, which includes both original and licensed brands such as Packed Bowls by Wiz Khalifa, Shawarmama, Nestle Toll House Cookies, IHOP, Super Mega Dilla, Thrilled Cheese, Fuku, George Lopez Tacos and Nathan’s Famous. These will live on under the ownership of its former competitor as Nextbite by SBE, but will operate separately from C3’s own virtual brands, which include Umami Burger, Krispy Rice, and Sam's Crispy Chicken.

Read more: Nextbite acquired by SBE Hospitality Group CEO Sam Nazarian

5.    Vending machines dispense pharmacy-only medicines

Related:5 things: California health system adopts vegan meal program

Pharmacy-only medicines can now be accessed via new smart vending machines at Changi General Hospital (CGH) in Singapore as the pharmacist-developed Pharmacy Smart Interface System (PharmaSis) has been authorised by the city's Health Sciences Authority to dispense pharmacy-only medicines with guidance from a CGH pharmacist via teleconsultation. Following a teleconsultation, customers are guided on selecting medicines, which include those for common minor ailments such as cough, colds, diarrhoea, constipation, and fever. PharmaSis also dispenses a range of OTC medicines, as well as hearing aid batteries and other audiology products.

Read more: Singapore smart vending machines offer teleconsultations for pharma-only meds

Bonus: CulinArt puts digital labels in the spotlight at Stony Brook

Contact Mike Buzalka at [email protected]