Starting this week, hungry Alabama students will have a new option for fast late-night fare. Crunchbutton, a new app-based food delivery service, will begin serving students this Thursday at 6 p.m.

“This is a really exciting new opportunity for students,” said Rebecca Fleisig, a freshman majoring in advertising who serves as the California-based company’s marketing intern for the Tuscaloosa division of Crunchbutton. “Our system is really unique and I think it will result in a faster and better dining experience for students.” 

To order, students can download a free app from the Apple App Store and choose a variety of menu options from places like Chipotle, Panera, McDonald’s and Taco Casa. Then a student driver working for the company places and picks up the order before delivering it. 

“We go to restaurants that Crimson2Go doesn’t cover like Chipotle and Panera,” said Kayla Branum, a freshman majoring in English who works as a Crunchbutton driver.

Branum said she believes Crunchbutton will be an asset for students who study late at night.

“It’s ideal for students having a busy night,” she said. “Who doesn’t want a hot panini from Panera while they’re on a studying binge?”

The restaurants on Crunchbutton’s offerings are generally cheaper than those on Crimson2Go’s, Fleisig said. The additional cost is $3 plus an item surcharge and a tip.

“That way you can eat without breaking the bank,” she said.

Student drivers for Crunchbutton deliver orders within a three-mile radius of the restaurant. Crimson2Go’s delivery radius is four miles, with an additional mileage surcharge of up to $6. 

Like Crimson2Go, Crunchbutton will operate seven days a week but as of now only offers a dinner service, which runs from 6 p.m. to midnight. Crimson2Go deliveries end at 9 p.m. 

Alex Beckman, a freshman majoring in public relations, said she is particularly excited about the new service.

“Crunchbutton has some of my favorite places,” Beckman said. “And it really makes a difference for those of us without cars that can’t get to the farther away restaurants.”

Fleisig said the company’s plan in Tuscaloosa is to center around University students.

“We want this to be a student-driven experience,” she said. “We are always open to suggestions and we’re looking to add more restaurants, more drivers and ultimately a better dining experience.”

Fleisig said she wants to encourage those interested in the service to use the coupon code “yummy” to receive $3 off their first purchase.