The state university spent $200,000 to bring the Starbucks-on-wheels to campus. It is one of six in the nation.
NEW BRUNSWICK -- It is about to get a little easier to get a caffeine jolt on the way to class at Rutgers University.
The state university is testing a Starbucks mobile truck that will drive around the New Brunswick-Piscataway campus selling the popular coffee chain's coffee, tea and other drinks.
The Starbucks-on-wheels -- one of just six in the country -- will make its official debut during the fall semester, Rutgers officials said. Drivers have been making test runs this summer, training baristas to make Starbucks' signature drinks on the go.
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Rutgers spent about $200,000 on the vehicle, said E.J. Miranda, a university spokesman.
"Students have expressed a desire to have a Starbucks on each of our campuses in New Brunswick and Piscataway and the Starbucks truck, which is owned and operated by Rutgers Dining Services, will provide that service to our students," Miranda said.
The mobile unit will serve the full menu available at the brick-and-mortar Starbucks on campus. Similar trucks have been successful on other campuses.
"We introduced this concept to college campuses Summer 2014 -- now with six trucks across the country perfect for the busy, on-the-go student," said a spokeswoman for the Seattle-based company.
A new Starbucks mobile truck is set to debut at Rutgers University in the Fall 2016 semester. (Starbucks) The Rutgers Starbucks truck is the second in New Jersey. A Starbucks truck is already serving coffee outside the Molly Pitcher rest area on the New Jersey Turnpike in Cranbury.
The other Starbucks trucks are at Arizona State University, James Madison University in Virginia, East Carolina University in North Carolina and Sacramento State in California, company officials said.
At Rutgers, the truck will make stops at all of the New Brunswick and Piscataway campuses, school officials said.
Rutgers is already well known for its popular Grease Trucks that park around campus and sell their signature "fat" sandwiches and other food to the more than 40,000 students on the main campus.
The $200,000 Rutgers paid for the truck includes the right to use the Starbucks name and sell its products, Miranda said. The money came from the budget of Rutgers Dining Service, the self-supporting campus unit that runs the school's dining halls.
"We anticipate the Starbucks truck will pay for itself within three years and Dining Services is pleased to be able to respond to our students' requests and provide this new option," Miranda said.
Kelly Heyboer may be reached at kheyboer@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KellyHeyboer. Find her at KellyHeyboerReporter on Facebook.