As technology continues to advance, the simple task of choosing somewhere to eat is beginning to become a somewhat overwhelming task. Not only is there a plentiful number of cuisines to choose from but we’re also faced with the choice of which delivery or booking partner to go through.
As a consumer, the options can often be a blessing (especially for the fussy eaters among us) but for restaurant owners, these larger conglomerates often steal the limelight, leading customers to book through them rather than directly with the business and then proceed to charge a fee for any bookings taken.
With a lot of Australia’s hospitality industry still trying to get back on their feet after the effects of the COVID pandemic, one Australian company is doing all that it can to help out.
Launched in 2017 by renowned chef, Marco Pierre White, and former Adelaidean, Pan Koutlakis, EatClub has made a name for itself by connecting hungry customers with nearby restaurants offering cheap, last-minute deals.
And while their app has been a huge success with around 250 venues in Adelaide alone and literally millions of customers across Australia, the duo is taking their app one step further, providing an even better service for both owners and eaters with a new booking system.
This latest upgrade allows diners to book directly with a venue, removing the need to go through a third party.
EatClub co-founder and CEO, Pan Koutlakis says EatClub’s new product is a game-changer for venues in Australia.
“It will put venues in the line of sight of more diners and make it easy for them to book with restaurants directly via Google and allow restaurants to better optimise their space with intelligent table management,” he said.
“Diners won’t need to wade knee-deep into other platforms or search aggregator sites, they can easily book via Google search, Google maps or social media in a matter of clicks”.
More than this, the app also helps venues optimise their space through ‘intelligent’ booking allocations; automatically joining and splitting tables and can even assist in staff rostering for maximum profitability.
Staying true to its key focus on helping out Australian venue owners, EatClub has installed the new software for its existing clients free of charge, saving them between $500-$1000 per month – a welcome reprieve for many.
The increased cost of living has seen many of us forfeiting luxuries, such as dining out, in an attempt to keep our heads above water which ultimately poses a challenge for those in the hospitality industry. With less people able to afford dining out, particularly in off-peak times such as during the day or weekdays, EatClub’s mission becomes more relevant.
“Every year, the number of venues adopting the app increases. Venues know there are economic and other intangible benefits of filling more seats at off-peak times,” says Pat.
“Consumers still want to dine out but many want to do it in a more cost-effective and diligent way. As interest rates bite, diners will increasingly look to platforms like EatClub to secure more affordable dining experiences.
“If venues have an intelligent dynamic pricing strategy to attract such customers, it is economically very beneficial for them.”
And the proof is in the pudding with many of EatClub’s venues across Australia adding $10,000 in off-peak revenue every week.
The EatClub app is available now via the App Store and Google Play.
For more information, head to the EatClub website.
