The spread of COVID-19 has led to restaurants limiting their services to takeout only, leaving many businesses relying on third party apps that pocket a portion of the proceeds -- the Spread app serves as an alternative to this, connecting the consumer with exclusive deals, helping restaurants thrive during these trying times.
Spread provides a commission-free service to restaurants, and works by notifying consumers via text messages about special deals at their favorite local spots. Consumers are able to select how many times a week they would like to be notified, and can order takeout using a promo code provided through the text message.
Currently, the Spread app is helping restaurants in New York City -- instead of paying a high commission fee, restaurants will pay a flat fee of $2 per order.
Image Credit: Giulia May/Unsplash
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Commission-free Restaurant Apps
- The disruption opportunity is to create more commission-free apps that connect consumers and restaurants, helping to alleviate the financial burden restaurants face when they can only offer takeout due to COVID-19.
- Personalized Restaurant Notifications
- The disruption opportunity is to develop apps that provide consumers with personalized notifications and deals from local restaurants that align with their interests and preferences.
- Text Message-based Restaurant Promotions
- The disruption opportunity is to create text message-based platforms that allow restaurants to send promotions and loyalty rewards directly to their customers, without relying on third-party apps that charge high commission fees.
Where This Applies
- Restaurant Industry
- This industry can benefit from the development of commission-free apps that connect consumers and restaurants, helping to alleviate the financial burden restaurants face when they can only offer takeout due to COVID-19.
- Mobile App Development Industry
- This industry can take advantage of the opportunity to develop personalized restaurant notification apps that provide consumers with relevant deals and promotions from local restaurants.
- Text Message Marketing Industry
- This industry can benefit from the development of text message-based platforms that allow restaurants to send promotions and loyalty rewards directly to their customers, without relying on third-party apps that charge high commission fees.
