When hotels need to boost room sales in off-peak holiday periods, they will announce last minute deals to fill vacant rooms. When flights need to fill a plane, the airline will announce cheap flights. But what about restaurants?
This is exactly the question internationally renowned chef Marco Pierre White and former Adelaide denizen Pan Koutlakis (ex-Foodora Melbourne CEO) had asked themselves.
In 2017, the duo launched EatClub – an app that attracts customers to nearby restaurants with hot last-minute deals. By filling empty restaurant seats and providing great deals, it’s a win-win for both the venues and diners.
EatClub first launched in Melbourne and Sydney in 2017 and early 2018 respectively, before opening up to Adelaide venues in November 2018.
Some of the first Adelaide venues to use the app included Burgastronomy, Da Vinci Ristorante, Junipers on the Marina, Ginza Miyako, Sato, Schnithouse, Sammy’s on the Marina, Gelatassimo, Glenelg Surf Lifesaving Club, Green Garden Café, St Louis Fine Icecream & Dessert, Mexican Society.
To date, over 1.6 million people have downloaded the app across Australia, and approximately 250 Adelaide dine-in and takeaway venues (and counting!) are now involved.
Unlike multi-national competitors like Uber Eats, Open Table, and Deliveroo, EatClub is an Aussie-based start-up that uses AI to create deals at times restaurants need more diners.
“EatClub is a marketplace full of diners who love to eat out more often. Getting onto the app provides restaurants with the opportunity to reach new diners through the marketplace,” said Pan Koutlakis CEO and co-founder of EatClub.
“[The app] helps restaurants generate more revenue at the times they need it. [It’s also] great for diners as they can turn a glass of wine into a bottle, entree into a main, etc. It also encourages diners to try restaurants they may not be able to try otherwise.”
The EatClub app is free to download for diners. With a mixture of dine-in and takeaway options, EatClub offers deals from 10-50% off – drinks included.
Prior to COVID-19, EatClub was a dine-in only app. When the global pandemic hit, EatClub “quickly developed take away functionality (in-app order and payment) to enable venues to quickly pivot to takeaway,” said Kirrily.
If your interest has been piqued, you can download the app here. EatClub is available in Adelaide, Sunshine Coast, Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
$10 vouchers are available for NEW USERS who place an order in the app. Just use the voucher code GLAM to redeem. Click here for the full terms and conditions.
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