Currently the crew cards are available at about a dozen campuses, and Lowder said the number of schools, and restaurants, where they can be used are expanding.
John Toomey (junior-marketing) Internet marketing co-director at Penn State Marketing Association, PSMA, said the marketing association has sold the cards for two years, and he estimated close to a $100 value for only a $10 investment.
"I have one card and I use it all the time downtown," Toomey said. "You can spend $10, and eat for two weeks."
Lowder said that getting the card is a "no-brainer," so student crew limits the number of cards in circulation to total of about 10 percent of the student body.
"If we put too many cards out, it could be devastating," Lowder said. "It's something we monitor very closely."
Every business signs a one-year deal with the company to specify what the one-time "freebie" meal will be -- usually aimed to be $5 value -- as well as the weekly specials.
Adam Green, co-owner of the Pita Pit, 218 Calder Way, said the cards have gained popularity quickly because college students' budgets are often tight.
"It's free food," Green said. "In a college town, unfortunately, quality isn't always over quantity."
Green said he has been pleased with the crew cards, adding that he tracks each to determine how many free pitas and weekly deals were redeemed.
He said he has been noticed an increased use of the cards, which at times has cut into profits.
The Pita Pit recently started more strictly enforcing the hours in which the card can be accepted, which is a step many businesses have taken.
Some businesses, including Canyon Pizza, 260 E. Beaver Ave., have changed their specials so drinks and side dishes still bring in profits.
The Pita Pit began selling the crew cards last semester to curb profit losses, and so far they have sold about 230 of the cards.
Lowder said most cards are sold by non-profit organizations that split the profits with the company. At Penn State this includes fraternities, sororities, PSMA and one class that decided to sell them.
The two sections of Engineering 407, an entrepreneurial class, sold close to 1,000 cards as part of a class project in January.
Chris Szmodis (senior-electrical engineering) sold 34 crew cards, and classmate Nate Heins (senior-marketing) sold 50.
Both students said the cards could take away from short-term profits, but both agreed the cards could ultimately benefit businesses.
"It's more of getting your name out there, and getting people to try your projects," Heins said. "Coupons don't have nearly as good a response rate."
Environmental Engineering Professor Jack Matson and Bob Beaury, who taught the Engineering class, said the project was an educational business experience.
Beaury said he doubted that the number of the crew cards could be harmful to businesses.
"If you have a brain in your head in business, I'm sure you have figured out the value that this program will cost you," Beaury said.
Aside from concerns of over-extending the deal, a few privacy issues arise.
Although Beaury said he saw "real legitimate concerns" about the issue of identity theft, he said he did not care if people knew where he's eating lunch.
Lowder said the card registers buying patterns and demographic information through its smart chip, which the participating businesses can access.
"There have been other cards in the past, and coupons books," Lowder said. "The question is, will this card have longevity?"
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