Local restaurants set up shop online

A Manhattan-based Internet company, which offers a free promotional meal to college students across the country, is bringing their business to Bloomington's restaurants.\nCampusfood.com, the nation's largest college-based online ordering network, is now expanding its services to the Bloomington restaurant scene. \nThe Web site, in conjunction with local restaurants, is giving away one free meal to any student who uses their service between now and March 2. To receive free food, students must simply visit the Web site, register with the service and place an order with the participating restaurants -- Mad Mushroom, Roly Poly, Buffa Louie's or House of Hunan.\nJohn Stieler, head of sales at Campusfood.comsaid they are extremely excited to serve the IU community. \n"We've been working on the IU area for a year and a half, but this is the first time we have strong marketing, and we are expecting success," Stieler said. "The restaurants benefit, we benefit, but most importantly the students benefit by getting really great deals on a variety of food that can't be found anywhere else."\nLocal restaurants are also ready for the promotion to begin. Buffa Louie's General Manager Jeff Sroufe said he does not know what to expect, but he is excited to try something new. \n"Of course everyone will want their free meal at first, but I do think people will definitely use the service," Sroufe said. "People are always online and Campusfood.com makes the ordering process easy. You don't sit on hold or get a busy signal and there are no miscommunications."\nStieler said the restaurants and the Web site try to keep in close contact with each other. \n"The order comes in to us, and then we fax the order directly to the restaurant," he said. "They keep us posted on menu changes and weather conditions, and we encourage them to offer specials only available online. It's a very efficient system."\nThe service also provides free advertising and marketing for the restaurants. They make money strictly from a percentage of the sales that were ordered through Campusfood.com, which ensures their continual commitment to the success of the restaurant.\nThe Web site also maintains a high return rate among users, Stieler said.\n"Once students place their first order, they are usually customers for the remainder of their time on campus," Stieler said. "We have a very reliable, easy-to-use service that students love." \nCampusfood.com is also a way for restaurants to attract more business, Stieler said.\nJunior Joey Harris, manager at Mad Mushroom, said he is eager to see if Campusfood.com can draw more student sales. \n"Our location isn't as prime as some other restaurants, so we're hoping that this can help us get more involved with campus," Harris said.\nThe Web site began in 1996 after President and CEO Michael Saunders was frustrated when he could never get through to his favorite sub place at the University of Pennsylvania. He began brainstorming a way for students to place orders without waiting in line, getting busy signals or being discouraged by a language barrier. \nThe idea grew from there, and Campusfood.com is now a national service that connects students to local restaurants at over 200 schools across the country.\nWhile 13 Bloomington restaurants are working with Campusfood.com, only four restaurants are involved with the promotion. A student can choose from either a medium cheese pizza from Mad Mushroom, a whole fajita chicken wrap from Roly Poly, a 6" Hurryin' Hoosier from Buffa Louie's or a pint of chicken and broccoli from House of Hunan. \nThe promotion is valid to one per customer for delivery only, with a minimum purchase of $2.\nAlso online at Campusfood.com, but not included in this promotion, are China Café Express, Blimpie, Schlotzsky's Deli, Panda Palace, Swing Inn Pizza and Yogi's Grill.