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The pressure is continuing to build as the hospitality industry collectively embarks upon new ways to provide high-quality guest experiences. We’ve seen a quick shift, with restaurants looking to enter the digital world by a means of e-commerce. We’ve been working hard to provide you with the right tools to help you boost revenues while your doors remain closed during COVID-19, and beyond.
But First, What is Sociavore?
Since our initial launch in 2018, our priority has been to help independent restaurants enhance their guest experience through a variety of tools that are directly implemented in their own website, meaning no third parties or intermediaries. We built our platform from the ground up to address the growing challenges facing independent restaurant operators with the goal of making previously complex and fragmented tasks simple and easy-to-do.
We designed our platform with flexibility in mind so it can adapt to the specific needs of restaurants of all sizes. As of right now, we primarily support independent restaurants, but we’ve also worked with Michelin-Star chefs, James Beard winners and nominees, family restaurants, bakeries, coffee roasters, breweries and cooking schools.
Operators use our platform to quickly and easily create their website with built-in tools such as online ordering, event ticketing, eGift cards and an online store. Sociavore is all-purpose built for restaurant use cases.
Learn more about why we started Sociavore.
Driving Forces Behind Sociavore
Restaurants create economic opportunities and provide for countless families—including our own. Restaurants are also the fourth largest employer in Canada, and they employ 1 in 10 Americans. We wanted to set out and build a platform that improved the livelihoods of the many people involved in the hospitality industry.
Growing up in the restaurant industry exposed us to the variety of tools and software that are being pitched to independent business owners and we felt there was an opportunity for something more user-friendly and integrated for operators to use.
Boost Your Revenues While Your Doors Are Closed
COVID-19 has forced most restaurants and small businesses in the industry to pivot their business models. We’ve implemented a set of resources for restaurant operators to enable them to recover revenue and ensure a seamless transition into the digital world.
Online Ordering
Third-party applications are notorious for claiming up to 30% in commission. On top of that, poor delivery service typically leaves you on the hook. Avoid those fees, and regain control of your customers by implementing online ordering directly into your restaurant’s website. Simplify the takeout and delivery process by keeping the customer on your website, without having to redirect them to a third-party application.
Sauble Beach’s tastiest burgers are available for pick-up within 15 minutes of ordering, while Artisanale is offering delicious family meals + local natural wines at the click of a button.
eGift Cards
Sell digital gift cards so your customers can support you anytime and anywhere. Your customers can gift their friends and family a future dining experience, or an opportunity to purchase takeout, groceries, meal kits, or merchandise online. Your customers also have the ability to schedule the gift card for a future date, without you having to do any extra work.
Here are a few examples of how the eGift Cards work via Red House, Brick +Dough, and The Distillery District.
Sell Products
Right now is a great opportunity to sell everything you can to support your business and your community. Built-in e-commerce allows you to easily sell merchandise, digital gift cards, groceries, meal kits, and virtual cooking classes.
Azzura, Chubby’s Jamaican, and Cluny Bistro quickly got their marketplaces up and running, offering a variety of groceries and prepared meals via delivery and curbside pick-up to help out their local community. Once the restaurants re-open, they can pause or end their grocery service by simply turning the function off, leaving them with their existing website.
Contactless
It’s important to send out a positive message by carrying out the appropriate measures that ensure complete safety for your customers, your staff and of course yourself. Options for curbside pick-up, contactless delivery, or ship can be implemented at check-out, so your customer can choose what works best for them.
Sociavore Instant – Our Response During COVID-19 and Beyond
- We’re offering rapid complimentary concierge service set up and implementation of our eCommerce platform to get you and your business up and running as quickly as possible.
- No contracts or commitments.
- Online payment gateway by Square (2.9% + 30 cents per online transaction) and zero fees for the first $1000 transacted with Square.
- Learn more about Sociavore Instant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PayPal an option?
Right now it’s set up through credit card only.
Why do you use Square as a payment provider?
From an operational point of view, Square’s back end reports and integrational ability with software like Quickbooks is quite compelling for business owners. You have access to this information even if you don’t use Square as your POS. Find more information here.
Why is your product in USD?
While we are Ontario based, we do have a lot of American customers and we decided to charge in USD from the start. We are looking into having set Canadian and American pricing soon.
How long does it take to get my eCommerce platform set up using your concierge service?
It depends on the size of your menu, and we always provide our customers with a realistic timeline, but right now it’s an average of 48 hours.
If you have any further questions on how we can support you during COVID-19, please send us a message at hello@sociavore.co
