Skip the dining halls.

Get the best restaurants.

All on one meal plan.

Why Elevate?

Rollover meals

Save $250+ each semester

Order in Advance

Save time and pick up

Exclusive discounts

Earn rewards as you eat

A fair value

Get what you pay for

Get 22 restaurants on your meal plan

Access Richmond favorites on your meal plan, including:

TeaDo RVA

&pizza

Paisano's

Spoon Asian Fusion

The Pit and The Peel (1210 W Main St)

Roots Natural Kitchen

The best meal plan for VCU students and parents

See how we compare side by side

  • Pricing
  • Rollover meals
  • Pay with 529 plan
  • Cancellation policy
  • Elevate
  • Yes, saving $250+/semester
  • Yes
  • Cancel anytime, no fee
  • VCU Dining
  • No, meals expire each semester
  • Yes
  • Must cancel by 9/4/2020
  • Quality
  • Total dining opitons
  • Customization
  • Options available
  • Dietary restrictions
  • Elevate
  • 22
  • Yes, meals made to order
  • 1000+
  • Many vegan, vegetarian, GF meals
  • VCU Dining
  • 1 main dining hall
  • No, buffet style
  • Limited to dining halls
  • Limited availability
  • Convenience
  • Hours
  • Availability on breaks
  • Advance order
  • Elevate
  • Meals offered 24/7
  • Yes, open on breaks
  • Yes, with Elevate's app
  • VCU Dining
  • Dining halls close at 9PM
  • Limited hours on breaks
  • No

"I really like Elevate- it has been a game-changer since I switched from university meal plans. I’m an adventurous eater, and the university meal plan did not have enough variety or flavor to be worthwhile"

Kieran McMahan, Junior

Read Customer Reviews

Join thousands of students who've ordered more than 1.5 million meals:

Sophia Penton

Claire Gibbs

Anya Bhargava

Carson Crossman

Mack

Elin Lee

MIchael Anthony

Issy Denevan

Sophia Penton

Claire Gibbs

Anya Bhargava

Carson Crossman

Is Elevate cost effective?

Yes! Restaurants offer deals to attract your business away from dining halls.

"It’s super great that you can save more money by buying more meals at once."
- Emma L
"Elevate is great! It’s so user friendly and saved me so much money throughout college."
- Madison G
"It saves so much money if you're always buying food on the corner, which I love!"
- Zorin V
"Elevate is a super easy, convenient way to save on restaurants that you would already probably be eating at."
- Hannah G
"Elevate is dope because I can save money on every meal and it sure does add up."
- Ivan L
"Elevate has great meal options and saves me money in the long run."
- Summer K

What parents are saying about Elevate

Join thousands of students using Elevate

Skip the dining halls.

Get the best restaurants.

All on one meal plan.

More questions about Elevate?

How do I place an order?

There are two ways to order with the Elevate app and most restaurants offer both options! Advance Order - Submit your order on the app and pick up about 15 minutes later. Just tell the restaurant your name and that you are picking up with Elevate. In Restaurant - Wait in line or sit down at the restaurant (let the restaurant staff know you ordered). When it's time to pay, submit your order and tell the cashier or waitstaff you are paying with Elevate.

Is there a weekly limit to meals I can order?

Nope! You can order as many or as few meals per week as you'd like.

Are Elevate plans only for one semester?

When you purchase an Elevate plan, you’re really purchasing a pack of meals. If you run out before the end of the semester you can add more anytime, and if you have extra meals at the end of the semester your meals will rollover until you graduate.

What if I purchase Elevate but it isn’t working out for me?

Oh no! This rarely happens, but if for some reason Elevate isn’t working for you, we have a 100 day satisfaction guarantee. Just send us an email within your first 100 days of using your first meal credit and we’ll refund you for all your unused meals.

Can I purchase Elevate in addition to the university meal plan?

Yes you can! We are independent from the university, so you can always get Elevate as a supplement to the university dining plan. Even if you’re required to get a university dining plan, you can still purchase Elevate as a supplement in order to sample off-campus dining options, and all your unused meals will rollover until you graduate.

Do I have to be a student to purchase a plan?

Nope! Anyone, even non-students, can join Elevate.

Is Elevate cost effective?

Absolutely! We aim to be less expensive than any dining hall when the cost per meal is calculated. We've negotiated discounts with all of our restaurants to offer you lower prices per meal with the Elevate plan than if you purchase the same meals individually. Your savings will vary slightly depending on which restaurant you're eating at and which meal plan you choose.

Am I restricted when I can use my plan?

Almost never! Anytime the restaurant is open, you can use your Elevate meal plan. At certain restaurants you may not be able to redeem meals on sports game days.

What meals can I eat at the restaurants?

We work with restaurants to create unique Elevate meal combos. Check out your school’s menu section of the website to view which combos are offered at your school.

What if I don't use all my meals?

Unlike traditional meal plans, your swipes roll over to the next semester. However, meals will expire after you graduate.

Do I get any special deals?

On top of the built in discount, many restaurants offer first time discounts and loyalty programs. All available discounts are listed on in the menu section of your school’s page.

Can I use Elevate over the summer or winter break?

Yes! You can use Elevate anytime that restaurants are open.

How do I download your app?

You can download our iPhone app on the App Store, and our Android app on the Google Play store.

How quickly will I get my meal?

It depends on the restaurant and what meal you choose! For hot meals, we recommend ordering ahead for pick up if you're in a hurry so you can grab and go.

Can I use more than one swipe at a time?

Yep! Stocking up before an exam or swiping in friends are possible options.

How do I keep track of my meals?

You'll be able to keep track of your meals with our app.

Can I use my plan for alcohol?

None of the elevate meals include alcohol.

Can fund my meal plan with a 529 plan?

Yes! Typically, you can use your Elevate receipt for reimbursement. We recommend checking with the whoever is managing your 529 account to confirm what they will need. Email us at hello@elevatemealplan.com if you need to pay via check or if you have any questions.

Why not just use a credit card at restaurants?

Elevate is better than using a credit card for a few reasons: 1) With Elevate, students can order ahead from their phone and pick up at the restaurant. Students find this really convenient, especially when picking up food in between classes with a busy schedule. 2) We offer a variety of discounts and deals in the app, including first-time discounts at restaurants and daily deals where students can redeem limited-time offers are our partner restaurants. 3) Parents also like knowing that money is being used for meals (alcohol can't be purchased on our meal plans) and that food is budgeted for compared to just using a credit card.