JJ Food Service encourages customers to offer online ordering

‘Restaurant website zones’ are being rolled out by JJ Food Service in each of its 11 branches to encourage eateries and takeaways to offer online ordering. The foodservice business already supplies 60,000 customers in this sector.

CEO Mustafa Kiamil (pictured) believes that the large online takeaway sites are “vastly over-populated”.

He said: “Restaurants are competing in a crowded market over the same customers. They may not realise it, but the large online takeaway sites are their new ‘business partner’, taking up to 30% commission. They are rapidly eroding restaurateurs’ margins.”

According to market researcher NPD Group, the delivery sector rose in value by 10% last year compared with 1% for eating out.

“We expect this trend to continue,” said Kiamil. “We want our customers to be well prepared with their own online ordering facilities, which will enable them to take back control of their business, their website and their customers.”

JJ offers its own in-house restaurant website service, FOODit, which puts restaurants and takeaways online in just a few days.

Kiamil said businesses need to be able to promote their unique selling points. “The best restaurants are highlighting what really sets them apart. We are encouraging customers to identify their ‘signature’ dishes and invest in marketing them well.”

Sushi Surprise, in Shoreditch, east London, is one independent takeaway that has signed up to JJ’s website service. It offers ‘high-end’ sushi at takeaway prices.

Tel: JJ Food Service (0843) 309 0991