Revolutionizing On-Campus Dining

Services: A Digital Pre-Ordering Approach

Abstract:
This research paper analyses the development and implementation of a pre-ordering system designed
for university and college campuses to address challenges in traditional campus dining experiences.
The project aims to build a reliable, convenient, and accurate solution that enhances the overall
dining experience for students while solving difficulties faced in the campus dining environment. Key
features of the system include pre-ordering options, allowing students to schedule their food orders
according to their preferences and class schedules. Additionally, the system incorporates a
recommendation system based on user preferences, providing personalized suggestions for food
options. Ultimately, the pre-ordering system aims to revolutionize campus dining by providing
convenience, efficiency, and security while enhancing satisfaction for students and food service
providers alike.
Keywords: Pre-ordering system, Campus dining, User experience, Convenience, Personalized
recommendations, Feedback mechanism.

I. Introduction
In recent years, the landscape of university and college campuses has experienced considerable
changes, with an increasing emphasis on providing students with convenient and efficient food
options. However, despite efforts to improve campus dining facilities, difficulties such as long wait
times during peak hours and limited food alternatives continue to remain. In response to these
problems, there has been a developing interest in leveraging technology to better the
dining experience for university and college students.

The inspiration behind this research project derives from the recognition of these difficulties and the
potential for technology-driven solutions to solve them effectively. Specifically, the focus is on
designing and implementing pre-ordering apps targeted specifically for university and college
students. These apps attempt to streamline the ordering process, reduce wait times, and eventually
increase overall satisfaction with campus dining experiences.

With this approach, students can bid farewell to long wait times typically experienced in campus
dining settings. Instead of aimlessly standing in queues, they acquire the freedom to employ their
waiting time more constructively. Whether catching up on papers, prepping for exams, or simply
socialising with friends, this approach encourages students to make the most of their time on campus.
This time-saving feature is particularly invaluable for students with busy schedules, enabling them to
efficiently manage their academic and extracurricular commitments. By reducing the ordering
process, this system converts campus meals into a seamless and efficient experience, thereby boosting
student satisfaction and well-being. In addition, by eliminating the need to physically wait in line, this
technique lowers congestion and creates a more orderly dining environment on campus. Students can
also enjoy the ease of organising their meals ahead of time, assuring a seamless and hassle-free dining
experience. Overall, this unique solution not only saves time but also enhances the overall quality of
student life on campus.

One of the primary reasons for choosing this project is the innovative thinking behind it. By allowing
students to place orders in advance and determine the timing for their orders, the pre-ordering app
system presents an innovative method for tackling the inefficiencies inherent in typical on-campus
eating setups. Moreover, it is crucial to note that the benefits of this technology extend beyond the
user experience for students. The deployment of pre-ordering apps also offers substantial advantages
for food service operators, including greater operational efficiency, better inventory control, and
increased customer satisfaction.

This research project intends to dive deeper into the impact of pre-ordering apps on both users and
providers within the context of campus dining. By performing a complete examination of user
feedback, application usage data, and campus dining trends, this study aims to shed light on the
effectiveness of pre-ordering applications in addressing the issues experienced by university and
college students when it comes to purchasing food on campus.

Through this research, we aim to contribute valuable insights to the field of campus dining services
and technology-driven solutions. By studying the needs and preferences of both users and providers,
we try to establish a thorough understanding of the impact of pre-ordering apps for university and
college campuses, ultimately optimizing the eating experience for all concerned.

II. Problem Statement

Traditional campus dining experiences often fall short of meeting the needs of students, characterized
by long wait times and limited food choices. To solve these difficulties, a pre-ordering system
designed for university and college campuses is proposed. This approach allows students to place
orders according to their preferences and schedules, enabling the convenience of scheduling pickups
in advance and avoiding waits during busy periods. Additionally, the system incorporates a feedback
mechanism where students can assess food stores and items, empowering them to voice their opinions
while offering useful data to food service providers for changes.

Moreover, the pre-ordering system utilizes user ratings to offer personalized recommendations for
food shops and items, enhancing the overall dining experience. By analysing user feedback and
preferences, the system suggests options aligned with individual tastes, promoting the exploration of
new food options and increasing satisfaction. Furthermore, the system boosts security and efficiency
by accepting only online payments and maintaining distinct accounts for each user. This ensures a
secure and personalized ordering experience while expediting the payment process and lowering the
danger of theft.

III. Proposed Solution: FastBites

FastBites is a comprehensive mobile application aimed to change campus meal experiences for
university and college students. With FastBites, students can conveniently pre-order their favourite
meals from numerous vendors on campus, offering a convenient and effective way to satisfy their
appetite while saving valuable time.

Key Features:
➢ Pre-Ordering Capability: FastBites allows students to pre-order their meals ahead of time,
eliminating the need to wait in long queues during peak dining hours. Students can browse
through a diverse selection of menu options offered by campus vendors and place their orders
with just a few taps on their smartphones.

➢ Flexible Scheduling: One of the main advantages of FastBites is its flexible scheduling
mechanism. Students have the ability to schedule the timing of their food preparation
according to their preferences and class schedules. Whether students need a fast bite between
lectures or a big meal after a late-night study session, FastBites ensures that their food is there
precisely when they want it.

➢ Variety of Vendors: FastBites collaborates with a wide range of campus vendors, allowing
students access to a diversified selection of cuisines and dining options. From local favourites
to international varieties, students can browse and order from their favoured vendors straight
through the app.

➢ User-Friendly Interface: The FastBites app boasts a user-friendly interface that is intuitive and
easy to browse. With clear menu categories, search functionality, and adjustable preferences,
students can quickly select and order their favourite dishes with no effort.

➢ Order Tracking and Notifications: Once an order is placed, students can track the status of
their order in real-time through the FastBites app. They receive notifications at each stage of
the process, from order confirmation to food preparation and pickup, creating a seamless and
transparent experience.

➢ Secure Online Payments: FastBites prioritizes security by providing secure online payments
for all transactions. Students may finish their orders with confidence, knowing that their
payment information is protected.
Overall, FastBites offers a convenient, fast, and secure answer to the issues experienced by students
when it comes to campus meals. By empowering students to pre-order and plan their meals from
numerous vendors on campus, FastBites enhances the overall dining experience, allowing students to
focus on their academic endeavours without worrying about long wait times or restricted food options.

Figure 1. User Activity Flow Diagram

Figure 2. Vendor Owner Activity Flow Diagram

IV. Literature Review
An automated meal ordering system is presented in [1] to intelligently monitor user orders. They
developed a food ordering system for many types of eateries where users can place orders or
customise their food with only one click. This solution was created using an Android application
designed for Tablet PCs. The front end was created with JAVA and Android, while the backend
utilised a MySQL database.

Research in Paper [2] focuses on automating the food ordering procedure in restaurants and enhancing
the dining experience for customers. This article discusses the design implementation of a meal
ordering system for restaurants. This system enables wireless data access to servers. The mobile
application on the user's device will contain all the menu information. The kitchen and cashier get
order details wirelessly from the customer's mobile device. The order details have been updated in the
central database. The restaurant owner may manage the menu adjustments effortlessly.

In [3] along with consumer feedback for a restaurant a design and execution of wireless food ordering
system was carried out. It enables restaurant operators to deploy the system in wireless environment
and change menu presentations simply. Smart phone has been integrated in the configurable wireless
food ordering system with real-time customer feedback implementation to promote real-time contact
between restaurant owners and customers.

In [4] Allset is a mix of ordering system and table reservation system. Allset allows people to reserve,
order, and pay for their meals before arrival. Users may have wait-free dining experience at
restaurants as a table would be promptly available for them upon their arrival and the ordered dish
would have been cooked and ready to be served. This characteristic has made Allset one of the leading
players in the sector, with business increasing across the globe. The system also provides the common
feature of having online and mobile applications for restaurant owners to manage the orders and tables
and also for customers to view menu and place orders. However, as great as it may seem, there is a
lack of usability for customers on this system owing to the absence of a search tool that helps finding
of restaurants by tourists or visitors who are not familiar with the region of visit.

In [5] a pre-ordering food ordering system is featured in the Online Takeout Ordering & Delivery
category, where consumers can acquire food that has been packaged by restaurants once they make an
order online. The service given by the pre-ordering meal ordering system is a convenient and
timesaving service, especially for those who are busy working. This system specifically supplied
some restaurant information for users to make an order, including location, operating hours, and meal
categories. Not just restaurant information, but user information will also be in the system, such as
validating requests specifying the location, meal times, and varieties of food.

In [6] the rise of online food ordering services has revolutionised consumer behaviour, emphasizing
interactive marketing and comparison buying provided by the internet. Recent research underscores
the relevance of website design and trust in creating enduring client connections. Questions arise
regarding the causal links between website and service quality elements and their impact on trust and
satisfaction. This study proposes that website and service quality greatly influence customer trust,
satisfaction, and loyalty in online meal ordering services, presenting a conceptual model for empirical
testing.

In [7] This project creates a recommendation system employing deep learning and machine learning
methods, including genetic algorithms, to deliver individualised product choices to consumers. It
offers tailored advice for individuals with specific health conditions and incorporates data from
reliable websites for accuracy. A web crawler collects product reviews, while a classification
algorithm organizes the data. Ultimately, the technology streamlines the process of proposing products
to users, boosting their online shopping experience.

In [8] The work offers three key improvements to personalized food recommendation systems: it
creates a system suited to individual dietary needs, leveraging user data for more exact
recommendations. By incorporating collaborative filtering and the knapsack problem algorithm, the
study boosts the system's accuracy and effectiveness. Furthermore, it presents significant principles
that can be extensively adopted in developing countries, such as Thailand, acting as practical advice
for similar circumstances globally.

In [9] The suggested system supports meal ordering using a mobile app, delivering nutritional
information to prevent skipped or bad meals. Enhancements in programming skills were made during
development. Limitations include the inability to generate historical transaction receipts for System
Admins and notification anomalies for customers ordering from several locations. Future objectives
include incorporating automatic reporting capabilities and Android Push Notifications for customer
convenience, along with refining the menu suggestion algorithm and optimising UI design for
increased user experience.

V. Methodology
This research leverages the Incremental Model, a flexible and iterative approach to software
development, to design and construct a reliable, convenient, and accurate pre-ordering system
designed for university and college campuses. The Incremental Model enables the continuous
development and refinement of the system, with each iteration focused on specific features and
functionalities to satisfy the increasing needs of users.

To begin, the research team performs extensive data collecting from students to get insights about
their preferences and the issues they confront with standard campus dining experiences. Surveys and
interviews are utilized to capture feedback on existing dining practices, food preferences, ordering
habits, and difficulties encountered during the ordering process. This data serves as a foundation for
informing the design and development of the pre-ordering system.

The development process is organized into incremental stages, with each stage focused on critical
features of the pre-ordering system. The initial stages concentrate on core functionality such as user
registration, menu browsing, and order placement, ensuring a basic yet functional system is in place.
Subsequent editions build upon this basis, offering features such as additional search options,
personalized suggestions based on user preferences and ratings, and a straightforward feedback
mechanism.

Throughout the development process, rigorous testing and validation procedures are conducted to
ensure the reliability, convenience, and accuracy of the pre-ordering system. User acceptance testing
(UAT) is undertaken to acquire feedback from students, allowing for iterative modifications and
improvements depending on user input. Additionally, stress testing is undertaken to examine the
system's ability to accommodate a large volume of orders concurrently, assuring scalability and
performance under peak usage circumstances.

Ultimately, the purpose of the research is to design a pre-ordering system that addresses the specific
requirements and challenges faced by university and college students when it comes to campus
dining. By employing the Incremental Model, the project intends to provide a comprehensive solution
that enhances the overall dining experience, streamlines the ordering process, and improves
satisfaction for students and food service providers alike.

VI. Conclusion:
In conclusion, this research paper has explored the development and implementation of a pre-ordering
system customized for university and college campuses to address challenges prevalent in traditional
campus dining experiences. By leveraging technology to streamline the ordering process and promote
satisfaction among users, the pre-ordering system delivers an innovative way to improve the overall
eating experience for students and food service providers alike.

Through the application of the Incremental Model, the research team successfully built and executed a
reliable, convenient, and accurate pre-ordering system, focusing on essential aspects such as pre-
ordering capabilities, personalized recommendations, and a feedback mechanism. The system aims to
revolutionize campus dining by enabling convenience, efficiency, and security while boosting user
participation and satisfaction.

Moreover, the research technique adopted in this study, including data gathering from students,
iterative development processes, and rigorous testing procedures, has led to the effective design and
implementation of the pre-ordering system. By prioritizing user feedback and resolving specific pain
points found in traditional campus eating experiences, the research team has built a comprehensive
solution that satisfies the increasing demands of users.

Looking ahead, further research and improvement of the pre-ordering system are necessary to
continuously improve its effectiveness and solve developing difficulties in campus dining situations.
Additionally, the data and insights obtained from this research can drive future initiatives aimed at
better dining experiences in educational institutions and beyond.
In summary, the pre-ordering system detailed in this research paper represents a big step forward in
harnessing technology to optimize campus dining experiences. By delivering a seamless and
personalized ordering procedure, the system contributes to a more efficient and satisfying dining
environment for university and college students, ultimately enhancing overall campus life and student
satisfaction.

VII. References
1. Kirti Bhandge, Tejas Shinde, Dheeraj Ingale, Neeraj Solanki, Reshma Totare, ”A Proposed System
for Touchpad Based Food Ordering System Using Android Application”, International Journal of
Advanced Research in Computer Science Technology (IJARCST 2015).

2. Patel Krishna, Patel Palak, Raj Nirali, Patel Lalit,” Automated Food Ordering System”,
International Journal of Engineering Research and Development (IJERD) 2015.

3. Noor Azah Samsudin, Shamsul Kamal Ahmad Khalid, Mohd Fikry Akmal Mohd Kohar, Zulkifli
Senin, Mohd Nor Ihkasan,” A customizable wireless food ordering system with real time customer
feedback”, IEEE Symposium on Wireless Technology and Applications (ISWTA) 2011.

4. AllSet: The fastest and easiest way to dine at restaurants. Retrieved from: https://allsetnow.com/
(Accessed: 1st Jan. 2016)

5. Rubel, R., Akter, S., Risat, S. A., Hasan, K. A., Akter, N., and Hosen, S. (2020). Design of an
Electronic Pre-Ordering System for Academia. Diverse Journal of Computer and Information
Sciences, Vol. 2, Issue 2, Pages 23-30.

6. Zulkarnain, Kedah and yusof, Ismail and Ahasanul, Haque and Selim, Ahmed (2015) Key Success
Factors of Online Food Ordering Services: an Empirical Study. Malaysian institute of Management,
50 (2). pp. 19-36.

7. P. A. Naik, "Intelligent food recommendation system using machine learning", Nutrition, vol. 5, no.
8, 2020.

8. Thongsri, N., Warintarawej, P., Chotkaew, S., Saetang, W. (2022). Implementation of a personalized
food recommendation system based on collaborative filtering and knapsack method. International
Journal of Electrical & Computer Engineering, vol. 12(1), 2088-8708.
9. D. Das, “Development of Online Food Ordering System for University Students to Maintain
Healthy Eating Habits,” ResearchGate, Dec. 2018.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333672907_Development_of_Online_Food_Ordering_Syste
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