The below freezing temperatures and ice ridden sidewalks would turn any average college student away from stepping out of their dorm and heading to a dining hall. Wouldn’t it be ideal for your favorite foods to be delivered directly to your building? This is the purpose of EnvoyNow.
On the app’s version for the University of Massachusetts Amherst, it currently offers delivery service from six restaurants: Subway, Oriental Flavor, McDonald’s, Chipotle, The Works and Moe’s, and according to their Facebook page more options will be added in the future.
EnvoyNow was founded in 2014 at the University of Southern California by four college students who promised on-campus delivery from their school’s convenience store. From there, the entrepreneurs eventually got the attention of Executive Producer of the television show “Shark Tank,” Mark Burnett, who later gave the company a $100,000 investment.
“We get you because we’re students just like you. So we have no minimums, no markups, and a $2.99 delivery fee you can split with friends” the company promises on its website.
When you order on the app, you will be given a list of options depending on which restaurant you choose. These options coincide with the regular menu provided in-store. You’ll then be directed to checkout, punch in your location and pay directly through the app.
There is no need to worry about a physical tip when the deliverer arrives, as the gratuity is included in the digital total. After you receive your delivery, you will be given the option to adjust the percentage of your tip. If you have any unsatisfactory feelings towards your experience, it can be reflected through this feature.
Perhaps the most unique element of EnvoyNow is the fact that it gives customers the capability to track and keep in contact with the delivery driver. After ordering, you will be told when the individual arrives at the restaurant, when they have picked up the food and when they are at your location. Each customer is also given the name and phone number of the driver. This becomes helpful when making any changes to an order.
“I just think it’s a great service being provided to students on campus who don’t have cars and are therefore unable to go out and get Chipotle or Subway on their own,” said Francesca Patania, an accounting and theater major at UMass. “Even during a snow storm I didn’t want to go to the dining hall so I ordered some food.”
Brandon Seaver, a freshman political science major, agrees.
“I’ve used the app several times and it’s so convenient,” he said. “When I just want to stay in my room or want a different selection of food than the dining hall gives us, it’s perfect. I feel like I’m going to gain the freshman 100.”
The app does not come without flaws. During peak demand times, the service may prevent you from ordering due to a lack of drivers. If fast service is what you crave, it might not be practical in this type of situation. It is also common for orders to be misread and ordered incorrectly as there are several options and combinations that would be easier to understand in person.
EnvoyNow has proven to be advantageous and user-friendly. Its history and success story would inspire any young entrepreneur and the service it provides appeals to the average college student with a love for take-out. When considering trying the app, know that there are most definitely more benefits than flaws.
The ability to have your favorite foods delivered to your exact location is extremely useful for every college student with a desire for efficient service and delicious food.
Lauren Crociati can be reached at [email protected].
