The company announced updates to retail operations and digital offerings help students adjust to COVID-19 safety protocols on campus.
September 24, 2020 02:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time
CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Recognized leader in contract food service management Chartwells Higher Education today announced four safety technologies it has implemented on campuses across the country. While student well-being is always a top priority, the COVID-19 pandemic has required additional solutions to help students returning to college adjust to the new normal of social distancing and contactless pickup.
“We are always looking for ways to improve our services for our guests and this year, it’s no surprise that safety was the priority. Even with the changes we made, we didn’t want to sacrifice innovation,” said Lisa McEuen, CEO of Chartwells Higher Education. “Our dining facilities and food service offerings are an integral part of the college campus community, and we’re committed to making it a safe experience for our guests.”
The following are four examples of safety technologies from Chartwells Higher Education:
- Online reservations and mobile booking: To help limit foot traffic and prevent over-crowding, Chartwells launched a new digital dining reservation system available online and on mobile. Guests are required to choose their preferred location and dining time in advance from a set number of available reservations. Students, faculty and staff at Worcester Polytechnic Institute are currently using the system along with several other campuses across the country.
- Push notifications through mobile app: The messaging feature of Chartwells’ Dine on Campus mobile app is used to instantly communicate important safety messages and operational changes to students at the push of a button. Campuses such as Texas A&M University are using this feature to keep students informed of timely dining information.
- Automated smart markets: Automated convenience store solutions at Babson College limit interactions and offer contactless dining. Guests scan their credit cards, select their items and pay. Easy and convenient, especially for late-night dining. Stickers are placed on each door to alert guests when the technology was last sanitized.
- Robot salad machines: The salad robot allows guests to create their own customized salad with the touch of a button. The robot is filled daily with 22 farm-fresh ingredients and can craft eight-component meals in 90 seconds or less. The University of Arkansas is just one of the campuses currently offering this innovative option to students for safe and healthy dining.
Several of the safety technologies are part of Chartwells’ Path to Open plan, which is a tiered safety approach and innovative re-opening guide it created for its 300+ campus partners. Each measure helps students maintain physical distancing while increasing convenience and accessibility for students.
To read more about Chartwells' innovations in food service, please visit www.chartwellshighered.com.
About Chartwells Higher Education Dining Services
Chartwells is the recognized leader in contract food service management, hospitality and award-winning guest service within 300 college and university dining environments throughout academic institutions across the U.S. Chartwells' nutritious cuisine not only satisfies the unique appetites, lifestyles and dietary needs of every guest dining on campus, but it also brings people together to promote the high-intensity relationships that will prepare students for the future. For more information, visit www.ChartwellsHigherEd.com, www.ChartwellsMonthly.com, www.DineonCampus.com.
