Operations

MenuDrive platform helping restaurants launch online ordering in 1 hour

May 26, 2020

MenuDrive, a white-labeled online ordering platform, has launched MenuDrive Self Sign-up for restaurants, which allows them to launch online ordering and delivery in under one hour.

Restaurants can add their own delivery services or use one of MenuDrive's national partners, according to a press release.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, online ordering was on the rise in the restaurant industry. Experts had projected the online food delivery industry to reach $200 billion by 2025. Current circumstances have only accelerated this growth with a continued increase in people ordering online food for delivery from restaurants. In order to adjust to the new standards, restaurants need to offer online ordering and delivery, but it often comes at a high price, according to Saleem S. Khatri, CEO of Lavu and MenuDrive

"An overwhelming majority of restaurants in the U.S. do not have online ordering, so they turn to expensive third-party providers," he said in the release. "We want to provide restaurants a better alternative that allows them to not only survive, but thrive in the new restaurant world driven by COVID-19."

MenuDrive is not charging any installation fees or monthly fees; instead, restaurants are charged a fixed price of 4.5% for each order. This fee gives restaurants access to a complete online ordering system, marketing tools with actionable recommendations to help drive more revenue, and access to MenuDrive's national delivery partner network. Third-party providers typically charge up to 40% of a sale for their delivery service and manage the online system themselves, limiting the restaurant's access to their customers. 

"MenuDrive gives us full control over the customer business and experience," said Saagar Grover, CFO and business director for Twisters, an Albuquerque restaurant chain and MenuDrive customer, in the release. "Capturing and customizing data from online ordering is a huge opportunity for us and we lose out on it with third-party services."

The MenuDrive platform contains pre-set features including online and mobile storefronts, email marketing campaigns, coupons, and a customer loyalty program. Restaurants that sign up have immediate access to these features, according to the release.

"Our goal is to provide restaurants with fast implementation, rather than weeks of back-and-forth, haggling over price or figuring out which option to choose," Khatri said in the release. "With MenuDrive, there's no negotiation, no waiting and no hassle. When a restaurant is ready, self sign-up is waiting."