Cramming for that chemistry test and craving a Big Mac at midnight? A new online student service, VT Late Night Food, offers delivery of popular fast-food to students.
Co-founders Z.J. Palasz and Brian Plass got the idea to start a late-night delivery business while living in the dorms two years ago. Sick of walking cross-campus at night, especially in the cold winter months, they decided to start what they felt was a necessary service.
“It’s a valuable service because it helps students get food without walking or driving late at night. It helps the businesses as well by providing increased access to Blacksburg and the campus,” Plass said.
VT Late Night Food debuted last weekend after a detailed advertising campaign headed by fourth year architecture major Christine Mussler.
The hours of operation are Thursday through Saturday from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m., the time period that the co-owners figured would have the highest demand. Currently, the service offers delivery from six restaurants in and around Blacksburg: Burger King, Hardee’s, McDonalds, Taco Bell, Wendy’s and Outback Steakhouse.
To use the service, customers create an account online, providing a billing address and a login name. Once an account has been opened, customers can place an order, using a credit card or PayPal account.
Once the payment is confirmed, the drivers then deliver the food to delivery locations both on and off campus.
Rates are $2 for every order under $10, and no delivery fee for orders over $10. The delivery fee is $15 for all restaurants in Christiansburg. Prices for food items are listed on the website.
Roughly 50 accounts have been created, with an increasing number of students returning more than once.
Palasz and Plass hope to keep the business going as long as it stays profitable. With $500 capital, the new business is still recovering initial costs, but the founders hope to start generating profits in the near future.
So far, community response is positive.
“I think it’s a great idea. It will be safer for students because they don’t have to go out into the community late at night,” said Micahel Davis, general manager for the North Main Street McDonalds. “We’ve actually been talking about starting some kind of delivery service, so we’re glad they started this.”
Students also welcome the service.
"With the long hours of homework and late nights of studying, I can appreciate and enjoy the convenience of having a website like this to cater good, inexpensive food right to my door," said freshman biology major Sarah Olmstead.
Online: http://www.vtlatenightfood.com
