Indian actor Suniel Shetty has partnered with a new food delivery app called Waayu, serving as both brand ambassador and investor. Waayu aims to provide customers with affordable and timely food from hotels and restaurants in Mumbai. The app claims to be 15% to 20% less expensive than competitors Swiggy and Zomato and aims to address persistent problems with current online food delivery services such as high commissions, unfair rankings, and negative reviews. Founded by Anirudha Kotgire and Mandar Lande of Destek HORECA, Waayu aims to help hotels and restaurants log orders for food delivery without incurring any commission.
The app, which is backed by the Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHAR), launched its services in Mumbai and has already onboarded over a thousand restaurants across the city. The app costs Rs. 1,000 per month, but this is expected to increase to Rs. 2,000 later. The team also plans to expand their services to other cities and connect to the government-backed platform Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).
Kotgire believes that the Waayu app will transform the online food delivery industry by embracing a commission-free model. “We have 16 revenue streams, but not all will kick in from the beginning. There is no per-order commission,” he said.
Waayu is the industry’s very own food delivery app with zero commission charges, designed specifically for restaurants to increase profits, visibility, and freedom. According to their website, “Freedom from the clutches of commission-based systems is here.”
For customers, the Waayu app is available in two versions: Waayu Delivery Partner for delivery executives and Waayu for customers. Using the app is easy and convenient. Customers can download the Waayu app from the Google Play Store or visit the website waayu.app on a browser. They can then sign up using their phone number or email address, enter their location, browse through restaurants and menus, select dishes, and add them to the cart. They can customize their order with preferences, pay online or opt for cash on delivery, and track their order status on the app or website. Once the restaurant confirms the order, customers can expect delivery personnel to arrive with their food soon after.
Shetty has invested in several startups in the past, including an undisclosed sum in the fitness startup Aquatein in February 2022.
In conclusion, Suniel Shetty’s partnership with Waayu aims to provide affordable and timely food delivery services to customers in Mumbai while addressing the persistent problems of high commissions, unfair rankings, and negative reviews. Waayu’s commission-free model and restaurant-centric approach aim to increase profits and freedom for local businesses. With plans for expansion to other cities and connection to ONDC, Waayu is set to make waves in the Indian food delivery industry.
Source of this News: Hindustan Times
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