PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. – Picatinny Arsenal’s Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (Family and MWR) Directorate has implemented a new online ordering service aimed at further improving customer experience when visiting dining facilities on post.
“The ability to conveniently order food online is now a norm in the food service industry,” said Andrew Ciccolella, Director, Family and MWR. “It was important for us to provide this sort of convenience for our customers while also helping improve wait times at our food venues.”
Earlier this month, Family and MWR officials launched a test pilot of the new online ordering system through a contracted service called ChowNow.
Click image below and point your cell phone camera at one of the two QR codes to begin your order:
Employees with U.S. Army Garrison Picatinny Arsenal used the program at Gunpowder Grill, one of two facilities that will be using the ordering service going forward.
“We gave limited access to the online food ordering system to a test group for three days prior to launching this installation wide,” Ciccolella said. “Feedback has been very positive. Overall, customers report the order processing is easy to understand and the instructions on when and where to pick up your items is clear. Most have remarked that it is saving them significant time during their lunch break as they can continue to work while their orders are prepared.”
This new online ordering feature is now available on weekdays during business hours for both Gunpowder Grill and Picatinny Pub (formerly Sam Adam's). The ChowNow app is available through Apple or Google play store. Customers can view the Gunpowder Grill and Picatinny Pub menu online, select items, and pay all in one transaction. Additionally, with the My Army Post App, users can click on either location and a link will take them to the ChowNow platform for food ordering.
“Once we receive your order at the restaurant, our staff will accept the order and provide you with a pickup time, “Ciccolella said. “The turn-around can be as short as 10 minutes and closer to 20-25 minutes during peak hours. Customers will find their order packaged and waiting at the mobile pick-up area with their names on it. There is no need to wait online or interact with our team members when picking up orders.”
In 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that spending on food-ordering apps for deliveries from full-service restaurants quadrupled between pre-pandemic months and 2022.
Around two-thirds of consumers have used a food-ordering app at least once for takeout, delivery or both, according to the September 2024 Consumer Food Insights Report.
“We understand our customers have limited time to break for lunch, so this service will simply help give some time back to our employees and make it easier for employees to utilize our services,” Ciccolella said.
Going forward, the Family and MWR team hopes to continue to work with diners to gather feedback about the technology.
“We receive feedback continuously through Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE) forms, town halls, surveys, and our daily interactions with our customers,” Ciccolella said. “Once online food ordering service became available to our installation, it was an easy decision to implement this and enhance our service.”
FMWR is a network of support and leisure services designed to serve the needs, interests and responsibilities of everyone in the Army community, as well as enhance the quality of their lives.
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