CASE STUDY | HIGHER EDUCATION | MOBILE ORDERING

13% lower food cost on every mobile order vs. traditional dining

University of Nebraska–Lincoln proved it at scale — 1.238 million orders, one academic year, two mobile-only dining centers.

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We converted our first dining center to all mobile in the Fall of 2021. The acceptance from our students was immediate. It became such a popular destination we converted a second dining center in Fall of 2023. It has been a win-win for students and Dining — high student satisfaction and lower food costs for both us and the students.”

David Annis Director, University Dining Services · University of Nebraska-Lincoln

WHAT 13% MEANS IN PRACTICE

The Math Behind the Margin

Mobile ordering gives dining operations a structural cost advantage — not through cheaper ingredients, but through precision. Controlled portions, reduced waste, and predictable throughput add up to 13% lower food cost per order compared to all-you-care-to-eat and other meal formats.

Food Cost Comparison Per Meal	Delta
All-you-care-to-eat: Burger · 4 oz patty · open access · higher waste	Baseline
Mobile Ordering: Burger · 5.33 oz patty · controlled serving · less waste	−$1.38 avg.
Overall Cost Advantage: Mobile vs. all other meal formats combined	−13% lower
Annual Savings Potential: At 1.238M orders × $1.38	$1.71M

Key driver: student satisfaction, not just savings. A focused, higher-quality menu keeps students choosing mobile ordering by preference — while controlled portions and reduced waste deliver food-cost savings an all-you-care-to-eat platform simply can't match.

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