E-Commerce for Restaurants

Mike's journey started like many other restaurateurs—with a passion for food, a love for hospitality, and a dream to build something meaningful. He poured his heart into his first restaurant, personally curating the menu, greeting every customer, and working late into the night to ensure every dish was perfect. He was there, front and center, making sure every guest felt at home. Hospitality wasn't just a part of his business, it was his life—he devoured books on it, especially from experts like Danny Meyer, whose work in the industry he deeply admired.

As Mike expanded his restaurant into multiple locations, success seemed to follow. But as his business grew, so did the challenges. To keep up with the demand for delivery and online orders, Mike made a seemingly easy decision—he partnered with big platforms like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Rappi. "What a great deal!" he thought, no upfront investment, instant access to new customers, and they handle all the logistics. It was the perfect solution, or so he thought.

However, as the months passed, something began to gnaw at him. His kitchen was constantly buzzing with orders, yet the dining room was empty. The customers who once greeted him at the door were nowhere to be seen. Despite all the hard work, the profits just weren't adding up. Mike felt like something was missing.

That something hit him one day as he was reviewing the numbers —these weren't his customers. They belonged to the platforms. How could he apply the principles of hospitality that he so deeply valued when he didn't even know the names or faces of the people ordering his food? He was losing the very essence of his restaurant: it's people.

The breaking point came when he brought in an expert to review his finances. The truth was shocking—between the commission fees, ranging from 15% to 30% per order, and the constant delays in payments, Mike realized the platforms were eating away at his profits. Even worse, reconciling the numbers had become a nightmare. Their calculations never seemed to match his, and settling accounts felt like a second full-time job. Mike was working harder than ever, but the business wasn't growing as he expected.

Frustrated and determined, Mike made a decision—he needed to take back control. Instead of relying on third-party platforms, he decided to build his own e-commerce platform, allowing customers to order directly from his restaurant's website. It wasn't just about the money; it was about reconnecting with his customers.

By taking back control and adopting a custom e-commerce solution, Mike finally saw the the desired outcomes. His profits grew as he eliminated the high commission fees. But more than that, he reconnected with his customers —he learned: their preferences, their names, and most importantly their stories. With direct communication, he could offer the personal touch that kept people coming back. The experience became more than just an order; it became a relationship.

Mike's decision to take back control of his restaurant's digital presence didn't just boost his bottom line but also reignited his passion for hospitality, it allowed him to focus on delivering excellent service, leading his business to grow like never before.