And it’s more affordable than you think.
What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when “mobile ordering” is mentioned?
UberEats? Postmates? Other third-party ordering apps?
However, there are other solutions that you might not have thought of. Let’s take a look at them in this blog.
What are the problems with third-party ordering apps?
While there are a myriad of ordering apps that already come with an established user base (many of them essentially different brands under the same company), they aren’t necessarily the best solution for your foodservice business.
For starters, you might have to pay a sizable amount of commission fee to be on the platform — sometimes up to 40% of your revenue. That’s unnecessary cost hurting your margins. Foodservice profits have already been squeezed due to a combination of higher labor, rent and inventory cost, as well as lower traffic volume due to social distancing restrictions. That has prompted the industry re-examine the business model of third-party delivery apps and explore better options.
Secondly, it’s a race to the bottom on those apps as to which business offers the best discounts and lowest price. Anyone who’s ordered on a third-party delivery apps understands the struggle of deciding among hundreds of options. In that case, price becomes the ultimate determining factor and businesses are forced to further squeeze their margins by offering more attractive prices and perks. While that might boost short-term sales, it’s not a sustainable solution in the long run in terms of building a loyal group of customers and strong brand recognition.
Being on a third-party app also means that you have less freedom to customize your storefront. Not only do many platforms have very stringent layout, messaging and image standards, but you’re confined to the rules and capabilities of the platform. For example, if your business has sponsors, you’re likely unable to feature your sponsor’s logo and promotional messaging in the app (which is a common need among our concessionaire partners). Or if you want to send push notifications that incorporates your brand voice to your audience, you unlikely will have the freedom to do that since those push notifications would be sent out by the platform, dictated by the platform’s branding and tone.
We believe the key to building a sustainable business that can weather the ebbs and flows of the economy is by owning your brand, your audience and owning your platform. We’ve seen that simply by being on a third-party platform isn’t sufficient. So what’s a better alternative?
What’s a white-labeled mobile ordering solution?
FanFood partner SLS Lux Brickell Hotel promoting contactless ordering on their property. While the technology is powered by FanFood, the marketing materials and user experience only adopt the SLS Brickell brand.
A white-labeled platform (in this case a digital ordering platform) is a website or mobile app built by another company, but rebranded to make it look as if you’ve built it yourself. That means once a user accesses the menu, what they see would be your brand aesthetics, messaging and image treatment, and that they won’t see another brand anywhere on the interface.
There are two common white-labeled solutions: web app through a customized URL or a native app through API integration.
White-labeled web app (browser-based app)
A web app basically looks and feels the same as its downloadable app version, but it can be accessed in a browser with a URL. So it basically is a website that people can interact with the same way they do with a mobile app.
For example, FanFood’ partners can direct their users to their storefront in the web app with a branded URL, such as https://fanfood.app/pikostreet for Piko Street Kitchen in Chicago. Customers can enter the URL in their phone browser or scan a QR code with their phone camera
, and start ordering from the menu.
They won’t see any other brand other than Piko Street throughout the ordering process, and thanks to the food truck/menu images, the entire interface looks like Piko Street’s own digital storefront, when the technology is actually powered by FanFood.
White-labeled mobile app (downloadable app for both Android & iOS devices)
If your business happens to already have an app (for example if you are a sports team, or a hospitality venue with an existing app for guests to book rooms and reservations), you can simply add a mobile ordering functionality in-app by leveraging API integration.
This way although the mobile ordering technology is built by FanFood, customers will enjoy a seamless ordering experience within your native app, and the entire interface will fully adopt your branding.
FanFood’s partner, the Dubai Mall (the largest mall in the world in the UAE), uses exactly this white-labeling solution to create their “Gourmet To Go” feature in the Dubai Mall app. Once guests download and open up the Dubai Mall, they can order from hundreds of restaurants within the mall property for in-store or curbside pickup. As you can see, even though FanFood built the mobile ordering technology, the “Gourmet To Go” feature adopts 100% of the Dubai Mall bran aesthetics.
While API integration is the most common solution that gives customers a more native experience within the app, it does require development work. An even easier way to direct your customers to your FanFood digital storefront is by linking to your web app from your app. That means once a customer clicks on a button in your app, they’ll be directed to their mobile browser to view your online storefront and place an order there.
Benefits of a white-labeled mobile ordering solution
As mentioned previously, the key to sustained growth is distinguishing yourself by building a brand, rather than being trapped in a price war in an overly competitive market. Our mission is to empower businesses and venues to own the entire customer journey by leveraging our platform and expertise.
FanFood is also more than just a technology partner. We understand that technology is only part of the formula — simply having a platform doesn’t guarantee user adoption or flawless operations (platform providers of course want to paint that rosy picture, but in reality that’s not always true). That’s why we invest heavily in customer success to make sure you have the best rollout and marketing strategy that fits your operational model and customer type.
For example, we help you design and ship on-site marketing materials that fits your branding so that ultimately, it’s your brand that owns the entire user journey.
AutoZone Park in Memphis, Tenn. uses a strong combination of large and small assets to reach their game day attendees. These tactics include seat stickers, posters and even overhead TV monitors.
A banner at Oregon Trail Park Stadium in Gering, Neb., and an a-frame with a QR code deployed at the University of North Texas’ Apogee Stadium (via Twitter).
What businesses should consider white-labeled solutions?
Short answer? Businesses of all types and sizes.
There’s still the misconception that white-labeled solution is only for enterprise businesses; that it’s not only expensive, but also an overkill for small or medium sized operations.
That couldn’t be farther from the truth. The fact is, we’ve designed our platform in a way to accommodate businesses of all types and sizes (hence the different white-labeling solutions as mentioned previously). If you’re a small high school concession stand — no problem, you can use the white-labeled web app that requires no upfront work or investment on your end. If you’re an enterprise business with thousands of locations and an existing app — sure, we can carry out the API integration for you.
The best part is, our white-labeling solution starts at no cost* (so if you’re worried about your budget, you can throw that concern out the window). Our platform is commission-free with no setup fee or monthly licensing fee. We charge a small convenience fee on the user upon every order. That means our goal is entirely aligned with yours — the more orders we help you get, the more successful we both will be.
*With the exception of API integration, which would require development investment.
Finally, here’s a video to illustrate how you can integrate FanFood’s technology into your existing operations and fit your brand:
And it’s more affordable than you think.
What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when “mobile ordering” is mentioned?
UberEats? Postmates? Other third-party ordering apps?
However, there are other solutions that you might not have thought of. Let’s take a look at them in this blog.
What are the problems with third-party ordering apps?
While there are a myriad of ordering apps that already come with an established user base (many of them essentially different brands under the same company), they aren’t necessarily the best solution for your foodservice business.
For starters, you might have to pay a sizable amount of commission fee to be on the platform — sometimes up to 40% of your revenue. That’s unnecessary cost hurting your margins. Foodservice profits have already been squeezed due to a combination of higher labor, rent and inventory cost, as well as lower traffic volume due to social distancing restrictions. That has prompted the industry re-examine the business model of third-party delivery apps and explore better options.
Secondly, it’s a race to the bottom on those apps as to which business offers the best discounts and lowest price. Anyone who’s ordered on a third-party delivery apps understands the struggle of deciding among hundreds of options. In that case, price becomes the ultimate determining factor and businesses are forced to further squeeze their margins by offering more attractive prices and perks. While that might boost short-term sales, it’s not a sustainable solution in the long run in terms of building a loyal group of customers and strong brand recognition.
Being on a third-party app also means that you have less freedom to customize your storefront. Not only do many platforms have very stringent layout, messaging and image standards, but you’re confined to the rules and capabilities of the platform. For example, if your business has sponsors, you’re likely unable to feature your sponsor’s logo and promotional messaging in the app (which is a common need among our concessionaire partners). Or if you want to send push notifications that incorporates your brand voice to your audience, you unlikely will have the freedom to do that since those push notifications would be sent out by the platform, dictated by the platform’s branding and tone.
We believe the key to building a sustainable business that can weather the ebbs and flows of the economy is by owning your brand, your audience and owning your platform. We’ve seen that simply by being on a third-party platform isn’t sufficient. So what’s a better alternative?
What’s a white-labeled mobile ordering solution?
FanFood partner SLS Lux Brickell Hotel promoting contactless ordering on their property. While the technology is powered by FanFood, the marketing materials and user experience only adopt the SLS Brickell brand.
A white-labeled platform (in this case a digital ordering platform) is a website or mobile app built by another company, but rebranded to make it look as if you’ve built it yourself. That means once a user accesses the menu, what they see would be your brand aesthetics, messaging and image treatment, and that they won’t see another brand anywhere on the interface.
There are two common white-labeled solutions: web app through a customized URL or a native app through API integration.
White-labeled web app (browser-based app)
A web app basically looks and feels the same as its downloadable app version, but it can be accessed in a browser with a URL. So it basically is a website that people can interact with the same way they do with a mobile app.
For example, FanFood’ partners can direct their users to their storefront in the web app with a branded URL, such as https://fanfood.app/pikostreet for Piko Street Kitchen in Chicago. Customers can enter the URL in their phone browser or scan a QR code with their phone camera
, and start ordering from the menu.
They won’t see any other brand other than Piko Street throughout the ordering process, and thanks to the food truck/menu images, the entire interface looks like Piko Street’s own digital storefront, when the technology is actually powered by FanFood.
White-labeled mobile app (downloadable app for both Android & iOS devices)
If your business happens to already have an app (for example if you are a sports team, or a hospitality venue with an existing app for guests to book rooms and reservations), you can simply add a mobile ordering functionality in-app by leveraging API integration.
This way although the mobile ordering technology is built by FanFood, customers will enjoy a seamless ordering experience within your native app, and the entire interface will fully adopt your branding.
FanFood’s partner, the Dubai Mall (the largest mall in the world in the UAE), uses exactly this white-labeling solution to create their “Gourmet To Go” feature in the Dubai Mall app. Once guests download and open up the Dubai Mall, they can order from hundreds of restaurants within the mall property for in-store or curbside pickup. As you can see, even though FanFood built the mobile ordering technology, the “Gourmet To Go” feature adopts 100% of the Dubai Mall bran aesthetics.
While API integration is the most common solution that gives customers a more native experience within the app, it does require development work. An even easier way to direct your customers to your FanFood digital storefront is by linking to your web app from your app. That means once a customer clicks on a button in your app, they’ll be directed to their mobile browser to view your online storefront and place an order there.
Benefits of a white-labeled mobile ordering solution
As mentioned previously, the key to sustained growth is distinguishing yourself by building a brand, rather than being trapped in a price war in an overly competitive market. Our mission is to empower businesses and venues to own the entire customer journey by leveraging our platform and expertise.
FanFood is also more than just a technology partner. We understand that technology is only part of the formula — simply having a platform doesn’t guarantee user adoption or flawless operations (platform providers of course want to paint that rosy picture, but in reality that’s not always true). That’s why we invest heavily in customer success to make sure you have the best rollout and marketing strategy that fits your operational model and customer type.
For example, we help you design and ship on-site marketing materials that fits your branding so that ultimately, it’s your brand that owns the entire user journey.
AutoZone Park in Memphis, Tenn. uses a strong combination of large and small assets to reach their game day attendees. These tactics include seat stickers, posters and even overhead TV monitors.
A banner at Oregon Trail Park Stadium in Gering, Neb., and an a-frame with a QR code deployed at the University of North Texas’ Apogee Stadium (via Twitter).
What businesses should consider white-labeled solutions?
Short answer? Businesses of all types and sizes.
There’s still the misconception that white-labeled solution is only for enterprise businesses; that it’s not only expensive, but also an overkill for small or medium sized operations.
That couldn’t be farther from the truth. The fact is, we’ve designed our platform in a way to accommodate businesses of all types and sizes (hence the different white-labeling solutions as mentioned previously). If you’re a small high school concession stand — no problem, you can use the white-labeled web app that requires no upfront work or investment on your end. If you’re an enterprise business with thousands of locations and an existing app — sure, we can carry out the API integration for you.
The best part is, our white-labeling solution starts at no cost* (so if you’re worried about your budget, you can throw that concern out the window). Our platform is commission-free with no setup fee or monthly licensing fee. We charge a small convenience fee on the user upon every order. That means our goal is entirely aligned with yours — the more orders we help you get, the more successful we both will be.
*With the exception of API integration, which would require development investment.
Finally, here’s a video to illustrate how you can integrate FanFood’s technology into your existing operations and fit your brand: