Grubhub brings mobile ordering to its first naval base

Dive Brief:

Grubhub has launched Grubhub Onsite mobile ordering and pickup at its first military installation, Naval Station Norfolk, in a business partnership with the Navy Exchange Service Command, the company said in an email to Restaurant Dive.
The technology allows over 100,000 military personnel, their families and other people living and working on the base to order from the Norfolk Main Navy Exchange food court for pickup.
Customers can use Grubhub Onsite to order meals and c-store items for pickup outside of traditional residential areas, in places like bases, hotels, stadiums, hospitals and college campuses.

Dive Insight:

Grubhub said it plans to partner with other bases across the country, though it declined to provide further details. Grubhub Onsite is also designed to “handle high traffic and order volume environments,” according to the press release. In addition to mobile ordering, the platform can provide delivery and kiosk ordering, and a loyalty program, according to Grubhub’s website.

At Naval Station Norfolk, personnel can order from restaurants like Panda Express, Firehouse Subs, Burger King and Raising Canes on Grubhub if geolocation in the app shows them to be on-base, or by using QR codes around the base. Available restaurants will show up on the app for ordering. Grubhub said more restaurants on the base will become available throughout the year.

Grubhub has been focusing on growth in areas that have captive audiences, like hotels. Earlier this year, it partnered with Sonesta International Hotel Corporation and Homewood Suites by Hilton to bring mobile ordering and delivery to 120 and 500 hotels, respectively. It also partnered with Amazon to allow students at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore to use Just-Walk-Out technology at on-campus c-stores.

Grubhub has a robust business on college campuses, partnering with over 250 campuses to provide delivery or pickup integrated with student meal plan programs. It also has partnerships with Starship and Kiwibot to provide delivery via robot in some areas.