How Southampton University is modernizing campus dining with AI checkout

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The challenge

Like many universities, the University of Southampton's catering team faced a familiar problem: at peak times, queues built quickly, staff were stuck behind the checkout, and the transactional nature of the service left little room for meaningful interaction with the customers.

The management of the catering team was eager to change that. The goal wasn't just operational efficiency: it was to make university dining feel less like a canteen and more like a modern restaurant experience.

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Finding the right solution

After attending the Uniware Roadshow at King's College, the Southampton dining team saw Deligo's AI-powered visual checkout in action. They didn't take it at face value — they deliberately tried to break it, hiding items, mixing meals, and pushing its limits. It handled everything without fault.

That hands-on test was the turning point.

The university already had self-service checkouts at another grab-and-go outlet, but plated meals required a different approach. Deligo offered the innovative AI technology to identify and price individual plate components and handle complex freshly prepared dishes.

Integration with Uniware

Deligo's ready-made integration with Uniware, Southampton’s existing POS provider, made the decision even more straightforward. Deligo’s AI checkout fit seamlessly into the university’s existing infrastructure and reporting tools, with no disruption to operations.

Because the payment system connected directly to Uniware, students and staff can continue paying with both bank cards and campus cards.

This deployment marked Deligo's first location with Uniware, whose platform is purpose-built for the campus catering environment.

The deployment

Deligo and Uniware teams were both on-site to oversee the installation at Southampton's Terrace restaurant, ensuring everything was up and running smoothly from day one. Students took to the new system quickly.

‍"We are so excited to get the new AI self-serve till installed. It really helps us to manage resources and stay at the forefront of digital innovation."

Felice Foscheri

Associate Director, Catering, Hospitality and Commercial Operations | Southampton University

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The impact

With the new setup handling hundreds of transactions every day, catering staff are freed from fixed positions and can focus on what matters most: engaging with students and delivering a more welcoming dining experience.

Practically, the benefits are clear. Adding capacity is now as simple as deploying another AI checkout — far more flexible than hiring and training additional staff for a one-hour peak window. Faster transactions also mean better throughput, encouraging more students to eat on campus rather than go elsewhere.

Beyond the day-to-day, the technology sends a broader signal. When Southampton welcomed over 12,000 visitors on open days, the modern, tech-enabled dining environment reinforced the university’s identity as a forward-thinking institution.

From smart vending machines and charging stations with laptop plugs to our AI-powered checkout, the space reflects their ambition to lead in innovation. Friendly staff remain focused on building relationships with students, while the technology keeps service fast and seamless for a tech-savvy generation that expects speed.

Looking ahead

Southampton University is proud to be among the first universities in the UK to deploy this technology which aligns with their wider vision: a campus dining experience built around speed, simplicity, and genuine human connection, powered by the smartest checkout technology available on the market.

This customer story was created with contributions from Uniware.