Did you know that UBER Eats and Deliveroo take such a massive hit in commission from restaurants that sometimes its just not worth the effort to use them?
When Potts Point restauranteur Hamilton Kings saw the COVID-19 disaster looming he pulled out an idea he’d had in the bottom drawer. Prior to Covid-19 “I had been wanting to offer delivery at Honkas, but couldn’t justify the commissions of UberEats and Deliveroo. The pandemic really focused me on the LOVE LOCAL concept,” says Kings, owner of Honkas Bar and Eats in Potts Point and Pizza Autentico in Surry Hills.
But it wasn't only his business he had in mind. Kings had two priorities :
create an affordable delivery service that would employ his (soon-to-be) out of work wait staff
offer that same delivery service to other local food and beverage businesses
Local restaurants and cafes find some commission crippling for business
The Love Local model is simple and is underpinned by community. Local restaurants, delivering locally. It’s designed to be a fairer and cheaper way for restaurants to access consumers in their localised area. An online ordering system, Love Local it also does all the deliveries for restaurant. (Kings’ waitstaff have been supplied electric bikes).
LOVE LOCAL delivers in the 2010 + 2011 postcode area
Love Local delivers over lunchtime and dinner, six days a week. Operating Tuesday through Sunday, and delivering between 10am – 2pm and 5pm – 9pm.
“Our main competitors are charging a commission of 35% + gst (38.5%), which is just not feasible. In fact, that would make or break restaurants and cafes right now. We decided it was best to do our own service, charging just 12% (includes gst) whilst helping other restaurants in the area,” says Kings.
All ordering is done online www.lovelocal.com.au and there currently is an app in the process of being built. The catchment area includes Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay, Darlinghurst, Rushcutters Bay, Woolloomooloo, and will soon be expanding to Surry Hills and Redfern.
“When I realised I needed to pivot my business, I looked at many options and creating my own delivery platform seemed to be the best option for maintaining my business, and retaining my staff. Being able to help other businesses now is great. Overall it’s a win win!”
KIngs plans to roll out Love Local and keep it going after the shut-down is over
What’s even better, is this will work post Covid-19 as Hamilton has plans to build out across Sydney over the next couple of years. So if you have an urge for take out head to LoveLocal and check out the LOCAL restaurants and cafes involved …… Honkas, Fratelli Paradiso, Malabar, Et Al, Melos, Casoni, Melted Monster, Bang Tang, Piccolo, Rose Royale, Penny’s Cheese with more being added every week.