Partner Article

Tech start up has launched

THE LATEST TECH START UP TO HIT THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY HAS LAUNCHED

-Dining app allows customers to skip physical queues-

-Company aims to raise £250,000 crowdfunding investment-

ORDER WITH FORK, the UK’s new order and table payment app has launched this month in a bid to increase profits for establishments and improve the eating and drinking out experience for consumers.

The consumer dining app, which is available to download on the iOS app store, has been created over the past three months by a team of Manchester based developers, to offer a solution to the hospitality industry who are experiencing inefficiencies within their business.

The app allows establishments to process a larger number of orders at once, removes the need to queue or take orders and payment at the table, increases transaction values and frequency, and provides an additional promotional channel and upselling opportunities on behalf of the venue or its partners.

The Order With Fork system sits simply alongside existing epos systems, and can be set up and made live within a matter of hours, meaning establishments can benefit from the service immediately.

Consumer’s dining, nutritional, and allergen preferences are stored within the app allowing future dining experiences to be tailored to the user, as well as having the ability to process payments at the touch of a button, using payment technology such as Apple Pay and Android Pay.

Michael Cowell, founder of Order with Fork commented on the launch: “This is the app customers and businesses have been crying out for. Those who want to spend more time enjoying the dining experience can do so with less interruption, while bars and restaurants can anticipate and manage peak time queues more effectively.

“We have focused on making the technology as seamless as possible so there are no disruptions to normal restaurant service, with the app easily integrated alongside existing EPOS systems. It’s also really easy for the diner to download the app and use it ahead of their arrival or whilst in company at the table.

“We’re big on looking after our users and have a strong customer-centric approach, paying particular attention to looking after both restaurant partners and consumers. We have recruited a customer service manager whose job will be solely this.”

The company was founded by Michael Cowell, previously director at Tom Howley, for 10 years, where he created software for the design and manufacturing of bespoke kitchens. Paul Wilshaw, head of design at Order With Fork was previously lead creative consultant at Barclays Bank for four years, where he delivered native mobile apps for the bank’s 6 million users.

Order with Fork, based in Manchester, is launching ahead of its crowdfunding campaign, due to go live in October. The company is looking to raise £250,000 investment through one of the country’s leading crowdfunding platforms to take the app to the next stage.

The investment will be spent on further app development to incorporate additional features and work on the second phase and highly secretive ‘spoon’ app to compliment the Fork user app.

In addition, the cash will help fund the set up and equipment for the first 200 partners including POS and supporting materials for their launch with Fork.

Commenting on the crowdfunding campaign, Cowell added: “We’re really excited to get the crowdfunding campaign off the ground later this month, and we expect to see lots of interest come from those within the hospitality and catering trade as they are educated on how the Order With Fork app will benefit their business and generate increased revenue.”

Trade user of the new table payment app, Richard Brown, managing partner of BEASTro, commented: “Choosing to use the Order With Fork technology in our restaurant was a no-brainer – its ease of installation and ability to run in tandem with current systems means there are no disruptions or lengthy set-ups, making it a truly efficient piece of technology that streamlines and complements how we work.

“The attraction of being able to reduce the time it takes staff to take and process orders and allow them to spend that time delivering those orders and looking after guests makes this an attractive option. Speeding up the ordering and payment process also reduces the waiting times for guests at peak times like the lunchtime rush, and has the potential to increase average spend, while turning over tables at a faster rate.

“The customer experience is also improved for busy single diners on their lunch hour, those who don’t want to queue, or couples who don’t want to break the mood – the diner chooses how they order and pay, without any additional cost.”

For more information on the business, app or crowdfunding campaign, visit http://www.orderwithfork.com.

ENDS

For media information and images, please contact:

Rosie Brierley at PR Agency One T: 0161 871 9140 E: Rosie@pragencyone.co.uk

Rick Hollister at PR Agency One T: 0161 871 9140 E: Rick@pragencyone.co.uk

Hannah Evison at PR Agency One T: 0161 871 9140 E: Hannah@pragencyone.co.uk

Steve Leigh at PR Agency One T: 0161 871 9140 E: Steve@pragencyone.co.uk M: 07734 805 499

NOTES TO EDITORS

Order With Fork is a smartphone app which puts the control back in the diners hands - allowing customers to order and pay for food and drink at the touch of a button. The iOS and Android app streamlines table service by removing ordering delays, allowing extra or repeat orders without the need to queue, all while saving diners nutritional, and allergen preferences.

For more information, visit http://www.orderwithfork.com

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Hayley Macleod .