The new launch, which went live on 13 August, is seen as a “direct challenge” to delivery market mainstays such as Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat according to its founder Jeewan Sagu.
It’s now hoped that easyFood, which allows customers to place takeaway orders, select food in venue using a QR code system, and features a track and trace function, can take off in the pub, bar and restaurant sector with the backing of Easyjet founder, Haji-Ioannou.
“The Government’s social distancing guidance makes many restaurant owners nervous about making it through this very difficult period,” Haji-Ioannou said.
“It’s a great opportunity for those businesses that are being affected by the downturn to join easyFood and transition to a delivery-based operation.”
With more than 200 pubs, bars and restaurants are already on board according to Sagu, he pledges easyFood will charge them less per transaction than other highflyers in the delivery app market.
“Our aim is to make this a major player as we take on the likes of Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat,” he said. “It will also adhere to the easyGroup ethos, offering customers a quality service at super competitive prices.”
Increased demand
The app launches 10 days after Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme went live, offering a 50% discount – up to a maximum of £10 per person – on food and non-alcoholic drinks to eat or drink in all day, every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, from 3 August to 31 August 2020.
As reported by The Morning Advertiser, the Treasury revealed that diners used the Eat Out to Help Out scheme to claim more than 10.5m meals in its first seven days.
What’s more, according to figures from UK-based payments service provider, SumUp, the number of transactions in pubs and bars has continued to increase during the scheme’s second week, with payment volume on Tuesday 11 August up by a third (32.3%) week-on-week.
Takeaway taking off
Despite a turbulent lockdown period, a number of operators from the pub and bar sector have already innovated in food and drink delivery in a bit to weather the Covid-19 crisis after being ordered to close on 20 March.
Brewer and pub operator Brewhouse & Kitchen, for example, said its click and collect craft beer service had enjoyed a popular trial in June, in addition to a delivery service which sold more than £4,000 worth of mini kegs.
What’s more, Scottish brewer and operator BrewDog announced in June that it will start using drones to deliver its beer to various locations on its campus in Columbus, Ohio, and is looking into using this method for its delivery service in the UK.
Operators Greene King and Loungers also used lockdown as a launchpad for food and drink delivery services.
Suffolk-based Greene King, for example, rolled out click-and-collect takeaway services from 40 pubs in the north-west, East Anglia and East Midlands from 10 June, while café bar operator Loungers launched takeaway trading at 27 sites in just three weeks in June under its ‘From our Lounge to your Lounge’ programme.
