As the winter weather sets its sights on Baton Rouge, some students are opting to stay in — and that means more food deliveries.
Some restaurants are seeing increases in orders, and its employees are benefiting from this winter’s nippy weather.
Ray Williams, manager of Hungry Howie’s on Nicholson Drive, said the restaurant has experienced a spike in delivery orders and he believes it’s because of the cold weather.
“As the weather gets colder, people want hot food and they don’t feel like leaving the house to get it,” Williams said. “The easiest thing to do is just pick up the phone and order a pizza.”
He said he has seen a particular increase in orders during the hours between 9 p.m. and midnight.
Williams said he has hired more employees since the semester began because of the restaurant’s increased business, so he hasn’t had to hire any more for the increase in deliveries.
But employees have received more shifts because of the late night orders, Williams said.
While Hungry Howie’s has seen an influx of delivery orders during the wintry weather, other businesses haven’t had a change.
Clay Adams, manager of Jason’s Deli on Citiplace Court, said he hasn’t seen any increase or decrease in delivery orders since the weather got colder.
“It’s just been about the same,” he said.
As a result, Adams said he hasn’t hired any new employees.
Emily Baehl, general manager of Jimmy John’s on Perkins Road, has had a similar experience.
Baehl said the restaurant make a lot of deliveries, despite the weather, so she hasn’t noticed any increase in orders since the winter started.
The reason for this could be students like Vann Smith.
Smith, geology senior, said he doesn’t order from restaurants because it costs more than he’s willing to spend.
“I’m too cheap,” he said. “It’s either fast food or cooking at home for me.”
Brent Richard, microbiology sophomore, said he thinks most people tend to deliver more when it’s colder outside, but he’s not one of them.
“I generally don’t change my plans for the weather. It just doesn’t bother me,” he said.