System Lets Students Order Retail Online Using Meal Plan Dollars

Philadelphia University and dining services provider Parkhurst Dining have launched a new online dining ordering system that lets students pay for retail options using their meal plan dollars. The CommonThreadExpress site allows customers to access an online menu to order a variety of subs, wraps and salads, as well as drinks, chips and a dessert, and pick up the order at the CommonThreadExpress window in The Kanbar Campus Center. Ordering begins at 7 a.m. each day, with window pick up during the Thread’s normal operating hours of 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“Philadelphia University is one of only a handful of colleges to offer online ordering, and the first to allow students to pay using their meal plans,” says James Hartman, assistant vice president for finance and administration. “We anticipate doing a high volume of online orders as faculty, staff and students realize how convenient it is to order online, pay with a credit card or campus card and have their lunch ready for pick-up when they arrive, allowing them to avoid long lines during the busy lunch rush.”

According to Bill Zimnoch, Parkhurst general manager of dining services, “The menu offers choices for everyone, including several vegetarian selections such as roasted vegetable and cheese subs, tossed and Caesar salads, and chili in a bread bowl. We also offer weekly specials such as cheese sticks or chicken fingers.”

Since going live in November, The CommonThreadExpress receives approximately 35 orders per day. “Customers who typically did not use retail operations on campus due to time constraints are now using this technology which allows them to order their meals one day prior. It’s a very convenient and easy-to-use system,” says Zimnoch.

The website also features a feedback page where customers can leave their comments and suggestions.