ABOUT WaiterAid
How it all started
or the story about the outsider
or the story about the outsider
Then, at the time, in 2003, there was only one solution in the market. A client application, which is good, but as it is both expensive and does not show what the restaurant looks like, it does not fit all. Waiteraid was born with the idea of a web-based booking application. The major objective is to get it to be as simple as pen and paper. We feel we have succeeded.
Newly opened Bockholmen Hav & Restaurang was our first customer. A fantastic one. With the patience of an angel, they let us develop and make live tests at the same time, even though they were running live with incoming calls. That kind of customer is invaluable in an initial phase. It really helped us to refine the product.
Then we had a break. I started working on another project (aSmallWorld) and there was not time to run WaiterAid. I also started doubting the idea. I met a number of restaurants but began to realize that it was a difficult target group. Mission critical systems are not sold at a quick meeting. With athe price somewhere between 30-50, it was difficult to see how the company could become profitable.
A few years later, the people behind Bockholmen also started Djurgårdsbrunn. New users meant new customer requests. Then come yet more clients. The product is continuously improved. At the time I was unsure about the business model, but it was fun to see it grow.
My brother in law runs a restaurant in Stockholm. It was not possible to get him as a client, because his staff was not ready. But they started offering a service from another company - offer reservations via their website. They don't have staff answering the phone before three o'clock in the afternoon, hence missing many reservations. They now get many reservations over the Internet and pay substantial sums per month. The interesting thing is how happy he still is.
Then we had a break. I started working on another project (aSmallWorld) and there was not time to run WaiterAid. I also started doubting the idea. I met a number of restaurants but began to realize that it was a difficult target group. Mission critical systems are not sold at a quick meeting. With athe price somewhere between 30-50, it was difficult to see how the company could become profitable.
A few years later, the people behind Bockholmen also started Djurgårdsbrunn. New users meant new customer requests. Then come yet more clients. The product is continuously improved. At the time I was unsure about the business model, but it was fun to see it grow.
My brother in law runs a restaurant in Stockholm. It was not possible to get him as a client, because his staff was not ready. But they started offering a service from another company - offer reservations via their website. They don't have staff answering the phone before three o'clock in the afternoon, hence missing many reservations. They now get many reservations over the Internet and pay substantial sums per month. The interesting thing is how happy he still is.
It is so much cheaper than having a person employed so there is no doubt that he chooses to continue.
Booking option via the website is a natural complement to table reservations. I saw it as a next step, but first I needed more restaurants. What I missed was how much easier it was to sell "more reservations" than a "great new system". A month later our application was complete and we tested it on Bockholmen. They received online reservations the same day.
The booking application has no fixed costs. We charge only for made reservations (SEK 6 per guest). This is the kind of marketing that works today, and the restaurants like the approach.
Since the middle of 2009, I have tried to unlock my own time to spend all time on WaiterAid and FoodFriends. It has proven difficult. Instead, in February 2010 I am happy to say that FoodFriends instead has a new CEO, Julius Bengtsson. A person who seems absolutely right for the mission. With a brilliant Russian programmer who has so far done wonders, we're looking forward to a bright future.
Sounds interesting? Send an e-mail or call us for additional information.
So long
Peder Dinkelspiel
Founder
Booking option via the website is a natural complement to table reservations. I saw it as a next step, but first I needed more restaurants. What I missed was how much easier it was to sell "more reservations" than a "great new system". A month later our application was complete and we tested it on Bockholmen. They received online reservations the same day.
The booking application has no fixed costs. We charge only for made reservations (SEK 6 per guest). This is the kind of marketing that works today, and the restaurants like the approach.
Since the middle of 2009, I have tried to unlock my own time to spend all time on WaiterAid and FoodFriends. It has proven difficult. Instead, in February 2010 I am happy to say that FoodFriends instead has a new CEO, Julius Bengtsson. A person who seems absolutely right for the mission. With a brilliant Russian programmer who has so far done wonders, we're looking forward to a bright future.
Sounds interesting? Send an e-mail or call us for additional information.
So long
Peder Dinkelspiel
Founder