Text Messaging Brings New Meaning to Fast Food
Nicole Brinson
Issue date: 2/22/06 Section: News
Starting Monday, Feb. 27, a new collaboration between Student Government, Panini & Co. and Mobo Systems-a mobile commerce company-will allow students to order food via text messaging. This service is limited to Mobo-affiliated restaurants and is not an option in Café 101 or the Spotlight.
Mobo was launched in November 2005 in New Haven, Conn., where Yale University alumnus Noah Glass began his enterprise at the Koffee Too? campus café. The success of the program allowed it to spread to other universities.
During the first week, students who register online at www.getmobo.com will be given $5 credit if they try Mobo's service at Panini.
Panini employee Mike Saleh said, "The students can text message their order to us and in five to six minutes it will be ready. You can text in class and pick up your order if you have 10 minutes between classes. It's a new thing. I've never seen anything like this before."
According to Saleh, the University will be giving Panini a free computer where they will receive orders placed via text message.
Glass explains that Mobo's choice to start with Panini was because of its "high quality brand" and popularity with students. He also credits Panini's cooperation, allowing discounts to students who try Mobo.
SGA President Reggie Thomas believes that once "members of the Pace community try this out, they will fall in love with it," adding that he is looking "forward to a strong partnership with [Mobo]."
Student opinion is mixed on this new food ordering process.
Freshman Amy Boutet expressed enthusiasm for the idea and said that once in effect she would use the service as an alternative to Lackmann Culinary Services.
"It sounds like a good idea but not for me," freshman Ainsworth Mccalla said.
Although this technology is geared toward students, as Glass believes that students are more "tech savvy," it is open to anyone who creates an account on Mobo's website.
If Mobo is successful at the University, Glass plans to expand it to other restaurants in the downtown area as well as take it to the NYU campus.
According to the Yale Daily News, Glass is also finalizing a deal with Verizon to extend Mobo's services into "movie-ticket and taxicab ordering under the command of the text messages."
If you are interested, visit www.getmobo.com or www.mobo-systems.com for more information.
Mobo was launched in November 2005 in New Haven, Conn., where Yale University alumnus Noah Glass began his enterprise at the Koffee Too? campus café. The success of the program allowed it to spread to other universities.
During the first week, students who register online at www.getmobo.com will be given $5 credit if they try Mobo's service at Panini.
Panini employee Mike Saleh said, "The students can text message their order to us and in five to six minutes it will be ready. You can text in class and pick up your order if you have 10 minutes between classes. It's a new thing. I've never seen anything like this before."
According to Saleh, the University will be giving Panini a free computer where they will receive orders placed via text message.
Glass explains that Mobo's choice to start with Panini was because of its "high quality brand" and popularity with students. He also credits Panini's cooperation, allowing discounts to students who try Mobo.
SGA President Reggie Thomas believes that once "members of the Pace community try this out, they will fall in love with it," adding that he is looking "forward to a strong partnership with [Mobo]."
Student opinion is mixed on this new food ordering process.
Freshman Amy Boutet expressed enthusiasm for the idea and said that once in effect she would use the service as an alternative to Lackmann Culinary Services.
"It sounds like a good idea but not for me," freshman Ainsworth Mccalla said.
Although this technology is geared toward students, as Glass believes that students are more "tech savvy," it is open to anyone who creates an account on Mobo's website.
If Mobo is successful at the University, Glass plans to expand it to other restaurants in the downtown area as well as take it to the NYU campus.
According to the Yale Daily News, Glass is also finalizing a deal with Verizon to extend Mobo's services into "movie-ticket and taxicab ordering under the command of the text messages."
If you are interested, visit www.getmobo.com or www.mobo-systems.com for more information.