Most of us are used to making calls to restaurants to order ahead of time and then we’d go to the restaurant to pick up our meals. Some restaurants have actually started offering delivery services within parishes, but how about a service where you stay at home, order meals online and have it delivered to you?
I’d like to introduce you to KariBites.com where you can go online, select a local restaurant and place a custom order with special instructions from a detailed menu. You can pay online for your food and have it delivered to your door. All this can be done ONLINE. Keep reading to learn more.
1. What are your names and tell me about your business?
We are Renee Thomas and Stephen Walwyn and we are co-founders of our company KaribFusion. Recently, in April 2017, we created our first product under KaribFusion, KariBites which allows users to order online from local restaurants. We were participants in an online incubator programme called CTEP (Caribbean Tech Entrepreneurship Program) where we were successful as validation stage winners for our online ordering platform, KariBites. Learn more about CTEP at www.ctep.tech.
2. What services do you offer?
We offer online ordering for local restaurants so their customers can conveniently order food online and make arrangements for pickup or delivery. A customer can browse restaurants, select restaurant of their choice, browse their menu, select items to order, specify instructions and checkout. Once orders are placed, restaurants receive notifications immediately through their dashboard. Restaurants keep their customers engaged from start to finish by sending status updates of the order which customers receive via email notifications and live updates on an order status page.
3. What inspired you to start KariBites?
We conducted market research in the town of St. George and Grand Anse area and spoke to people about the challenges they experienced when ordering food for pickup or delivery. We learned that some of the challenges were busy phone lines, late orders, cold meals and more. We continued our research and spoke to restaurants who also had their end of issues. Afterwards, we realized that online ordering will be a solution that will benefit both restaurants and customers and that was how KariBites was born.
4. What are your goals for KariBites?
Some of our goals include getting people into the habit of ordering food online since it is completely new to our culture. We’re also working assiduously to get as many restaurants on the platform in St. George so that we can offer a wide variety of cuisines for users in the area before expanding to other parishes. During the early stages of the platform we’re hoping to get feedback from both restaurants and users as we strive to continuously improve the software.
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5. What are some of the challenges that you are currently facing?
A challenge that we are currently facing is that people think we’re just another delivery service but we’re more of an online platform for restaurants where people can order food for pickup or delivery. Online ordering is still relatively new to Grenada and we hope that we can offer this convenience to people who are always on the go and are looking to save time when ordering food with a few clicks on their phone.
Another challenge that we’re currently facing is integrating online payments onto KariBites. We’ve made tremendous progress and we’re confident online payments will soon be available for customers who would prefer the option.
6. How are you overcoming those challenges?
Persistence. This is the main factor that allows us to overcome these challenges. We’re determined to achieve our goals and we’re working persistently to achieve them. We’re also networking with other entrepreneurs and professionals who are invaluable resources for helping startups with their everyday problems. Lastly, validation from users who continuously confirm that this is something that is definitely needed as well as validation from restaurants who use the software and are impressed with how it works. Hearing those positive responses from people provides motivation for us to continue pushing forward.
7. What would you say is unique about KariBites?
While there are a lot of delivery services available in Grenada, no one else offers an online ordering solution which bridges the communication gaps between restaurants and their customers. KariBites empowers restaurants to offer the convenience of online ordering to their customers. KariBites also saves restaurants time by freeing them from answering their phone to accept orders for pickup or delivery. This allows restaurants to spend more time preparing delicious meals.
8. What are you looking forward to? Any new projects, events or plans for expansion?
Since we’re new, our focus is on educating people, getting the word out and showing people that the solution is REAL, you can order your next meal online now with KariBites. Our efforts are focused on mass promotions while ensuring restaurants are achieving their desired goals as a KariBites partner. We’re constantly looking for feedback from our users so we can continuously tailor the product to the needs of the people. Our future goals also include expanding to other Caribbean islands to become a regional online ordering solution for people in the Caribbean.
How to use KariBites:
Connect on Facebook and Instagram or visit our website KariBites.com to satisfy your cravings and order your next meal online.
