To increase access to dining information and options on campus, Queen’s Hospitality has launched a new mobile app for students. 

“We know that everyone is always on their phones,” Sodexo Marketing Manager Kimberly Gascoigne told The Journal in an email. “So we wanted to use mobile technology to create a one-stop information hub for students, staff and faculty to access food related information on campus.” 

To focus on app development for campus dining services and create the Queen’s Dining app, Hospitality Services contracted Hangry — a company founded by Queen’s alumni. It’s now available for both Android and iPhone devices. 

Currently, the app serves as an information hub that combines full menus and prices with restaurant locations and hours. It also features information on TAM offerings where available. Students can only access the app with an email address, Google or Facebook account. 

Students can collect rewards when engaging with the app, which can be cashed in as contest entries. Contest prizes include iTunes gift cards and free drinks at Queen’s retailer Lazy Scholar. 

Moreover, the app sports an inbox for small updates about on-campus retailors and specialty food offerings students may not otherwise be aware of, including new vegan options at Leonard Dining Hall. 

The app will expand later this semester as well. Gascoigne said it will add a pre-ordering feature for students to link to their flex dollars and meal plans. 

“We are planning to allow students and staff using meal plans and flex dollars to order food from select locations on campus from their phones for quick pick-up,” she added.

Until then, students can utilize the menu tool to determine the exact price of their purchase and stay updated on growing meal options on campus. 

“We hope the app will provide added value and support to people when they are eating in the dining halls and at the retail outlets,” Gascoigne wrote. “Our goal is to increase access to dining information and help students save time through the pre-ordering.”