Terms of Service

Last updated: August 10, 2026

1. What Bobcat Bites is

Bobcat Bites is an online ordering platform that lets customers pre-order and pay for food from independent food trucks operating near the UC Merced campus, then collect that food in person from the truck.

Bobcat Bites is an independent, student-built service. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the University of California, Merced, or by the UC Merced Staff Assembly.

2. We are a marketplace, not the restaurant

Each food truck on Bobcat Bites is a separate, independently owned business. Trucks set their own menus, prices, hours, and preparation times, and are solely responsible for preparing your food, for food safety and hygiene, and for accuracy of allergen and ingredient information.

Bobcat Bites provides the ordering, payment, and notification technology. We do not prepare, handle, or deliver food.

Because trucks trade under their own business names, the name shown on your card or bank statement may differ from "Bobcat Bites."

3. Placing an order

When you place an order you pay in advance. Your order is offered to the truck, which then confirms it and gives an estimated preparation time. You receive a four-digit pickup code — show it at the truck to collect your food.

A truck may decline or cancel an order, for example if an item has sold out or the truck has to close. If that happens you receive a full refund.

4. Collection

All orders are for in-person collection from the truck. We do not deliver. Please collect promptly once notified that your order is ready — prepared food left uncollected may be discarded, and we cannot guarantee a refund in that case. See our Refund Policy.

5. Prices, fees, and payment

Menu prices are set by each truck. The total shown at checkout is the amount charged to your card. Bobcat Bites retains a percentage-based platform fee from each order and passes the remainder to the truck. Card payments are processed by Stripe; we never see or store your full card details.

6. Acceptable use

Don't place fraudulent orders, don't attempt to interfere with or gain unauthorised access to the service, and don't use it for any unlawful purpose. We may suspend accounts or refuse orders where we reasonably suspect abuse.

7. Availability

We aim to keep the service running but cannot guarantee it will be uninterrupted or error-free. Notifications depend on your device, browser, and mobile network, and may occasionally be delayed or fail to arrive.

8. Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Bobcat Bites' total liability arising from an order is limited to the amount you paid for that order. Nothing in these terms excludes liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.

9. Changes

We may update these terms. Material changes will be reflected in the "last updated" date above, and continued use after that constitutes acceptance.

10. Governing law and contact

These terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, United States. Questions: see our Contact page.