Working women, senior citizens and bachelors, your nightmare of daily cooking or hunting for reasonably priced restaurants has come to an end.
The option of ordering takeaways - main courses/soups/desserts and beverages - online or via phone call, very popular in the metros, debuted in Jamshedpur on Wednesday.
Two young entrepreneurs, Pravin Singh (30) and Durga Shankar (32), have floated their website www.foodify.in through which piping hot dishes will be delivered at the doorsteps within minutes of ordering online at rates lesser than that of standard restaurants in the city.
For online orders, one would have to create a profile on the website. But, people who are not computer savvy need not fret. They can call up 0657-6577818. Those who don't want to spend on a phone call can WhatsApp their order on 8235005600.
Payment is by cash-on-delivery option but Pravin and Durga will also launch the online Paytm option for customers on Christmas. "Talks have been finalised with Paytm through which online payment would be possible soon, from Christmas (December 25)," Pravin, an MBA from Lloyd Business School in Noida, whose relatives have been in hospitality industry for over a decade, said.
He added that they would focus on premium food quality at reasonable prices. "We are not glorified delivery boys outsourcing food from elsewhere. We have out 1,500sqft kitchen in Golmuri and a team of chefs. So, taste and price are under our control. Our USP is cooking, packing and delivering food neatly within 30 minutes of getting the order anywhere within the city," Pravin added.
"Delivery will be free of cost for orders over Rs 250 but for those below, we will charge Rs 30 extra irrespective of distance," added Durga, who has a degree in hotel management from Durgapur.
But both Pravin and Durga were quick to add that they had taken precautions for the security of their customers.
"We know many people, especially women, don't want to open the door to unknown delivery boys. Those who order on WhatsApp will get a reply on the number about the identity (name) of the delivery boy along with his photograph. Those ordering online will get a mail with the name of the delivery boy. This apart, those who call up on the landline will also be told details of who is going with the food," Pravin said.
"The idea is to build trust and rapport both," Durga added.
The young entrepreneurs have also started business lunches and food packets keeping in view the needs of busy professionals. "One can straightway order business lunch for Rs 140 (non-vegetarian) and Rs 100 (vegetarian). You will get rice, chapattis, two vegetable dishes, salad and sweets in the vegetarian option. A chicken dish will be included in non-vegetarian. For company and office groups of over 10 persons, we can deliver food packets at a specified time. Payment can be every month, online or offline," Durga said.
The venture seems to have got off to a tasty start. "I WhatsApped chilly chicken dry and got it within 20 minutes at my party office this morning (Wednesday). Yes, taste was good and price reasonable, so yes, it's a good option for busy people like us," said Dinesh Sahu, a BJP leader in Golmuri.
Are online or WhatsApp lunch and dinner takeaways the future of family meals or only a passing fad? Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com
