Pizza ATM open for business at Ohio State

A high-tech Pizza ATM is the latest dining option for students at The Ohio State University.

The new Pizza ATM is located on the second floor of Morrill Tower and is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. for student meal plan holders and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for general use.

“We are always looking for innovative and new ways to provide services to our students here at Ohio State,” said Abby Hertzfeld, associate director of operations for the Office of Student Life Dining Services.

Here’s how it works: Pizzas are pre-made in a neighboring kitchen and come with cheese or pepperoni toppings. They are then stored in a refrigeration unit inside the Pizza ATM. More topping options are expected in the future.

When a pizza is ordered, it automatically moves to the ATM’s internal oven and is baked until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted. It typically takes about three to four minutes. A 10-inch pizza costs $8.

“It’s about a perfect size if you’re trying to get it on the go. So if you don’t have too much time, you can get it and you can just go to class,” said Isaac Cox, a second-year zoology major. “It’s not too big of a pizza, you can really just walk around with it and it’s always nice and hot.”

It will eventually serve pizzas around the clock.

“Students love to eat at all times of the day and even at breakfast they can eat pizza. They love pizza,” Hertzfeld said. “We’re starting out right now with our pilot program with limited hours but we’re going to continue to extend hours throughout this semester with our ultimate goal of there being 24-hour access for our students when we get to fall semester of 2019.”

The Pizza ATM is loaded with about 70 pizzas and can serve as a convenient option when the closest dining hall is closed.

Similar machines have proved to be popular on the campuses of Xavier and Case Western Reserve universities.