Imagine a shopping trip where you simply grab what you need and walk out—no lines, no waiting. That’s exactly what Quick Eats at Tulane University offers. This AI-powered convenience store, run by Tulane Hospitality, is changing the way students and staff shop on campus. Open around the clock since early 2025, it’s conveniently located behind the Small Family Collaboration Hub on the Uptown campus.
At Quick Eats, you’ll find everything from fresh produce to ready-to-eat meals and personal care items. Entering is a breeze: just use your credit or debit card, or scan a QR code linked to your Splash Card via the Grubhub app. Once inside, you’re free to explore and pick up whatever catches your eye.
Taking a cue from Amazon Go and VenHub, Quick Eats uses cutting-edge technology and machine learning for its “just walk out” payment system. According to Sam Gautreau, a marketing manager at Tulane Hospitality, weight sensors on the shelves help identify products, ensuring your shopping experience is both accurate and efficient. These sensors work in tandem with special cameras to keep track of what you take.
Strategically placed surveillance cameras play a crucial role in maintaining billing accuracy, so you won’t have to worry about being charged for items you didn’t pick up. Gautreau explains that each shopper is uniquely identified upon entering, allowing the system to track your journey through the store seamlessly.
Quick Eats stands apart from Tulane’s other store, the Surfing Pelican, by offering a high-tech, streamlined shopping experience. While there were some initial hiccups, the store has quickly proven its value. Gautreau shares that they’re pleased with how things are going and have plans to introduce digital pricing signs with custom graphics soon.
Although there aren’t any immediate plans for more AI-driven stores, Tulane Hospitality is committed to continually improving campus services. Gautreau emphasizes, “We’re always looking at what we can do to better the services on campus.” This focus on innovation and efficiency makes Quick Eats a standout option for the Tulane community.
