Hungry football fans can order food by text message
By Amy Hemmati

Published: Monday, September 28, 2009

When Rutgers scored a touchdown in the first minute of Saturday’s football game, Terps fan Matt Cole missed the play, waiting in line for chicken tenders and fries.

“I’m disappointed that I missed that play,” said Cole, a high school senior. “I came to the game to watch it live, not on TV.”

A business launched by two university alumni looks to solve this eternal fan conundrum. First Down Mobile, founded by 2008 graduates Michael Jobe and Ryan Ples, allows subscribers to place orders for food online or via text message for a flat annual fee. The company then purchases the food from concession stands and hands it over to runners who deliver it straight to customers’ seats.

The runners, who are paid an hourly rate, are members of campus student groups looking to raise money. While groups have long been able to work at concessions stands as a way to raise money, delivering food is a new twist.

“I’m playing club baseball, and everyone on the team had to raise $50 a year,” freshman letters and sciences major Paul Smyser said. “This way, I can go to the game and knock out my fundraising.”

Smyser was the only runner working for the Rutgers game. He delivered about $80 worth of food.

“It wasn’t too bad,” said Smyser. “I got to see the game, and wear a cool green vest.”

During the second quarter, Smyser delivered two drinks to Nick Celenza, a season ticket holder and university alumnus.

“Each game the service has been great,” said Celenza. “It’s a nice way to support the students who are delivering food.”

For Jobe, the learning curve has included organizing orders in an easy way, working with student groups to recruit runners, and working on iPhone and BlackBerry applications to make the process easier.

While volume was low for the Rutgers game, Jobe and his team are looking to expand their operation next fall, when they hope season ticket holders will be able to join their service and get an entire season of service.

“This season, we’re fine-tuning our operation,” said Jobe. “We plan on going much larger scale after one season of learning.”

hemmati@umdbk.com


http://www.diamondbackonline.com/news/alumni-run-business-brings-food-to-your-seat-1.556177