Enterprising graduate shakes up takeaway industry with new fast food app

A Huddersfield graduate has launched an online business called Smart Takeways with an aim to keep his company ahead of the competition in the fast food industry.

Smart Takeways acts as a virtual storefront for individual takeaways, by providing customers with a smartphone mobile application, which enables them to download the shop’s tailor made takeout menu.

Users can then browse, order their food and have it delivered by sending the request via email, or for those without an internet connection can choose to send it via a SMS text message.

Mohammad Sheikholeslami, from Wakefield, spotted a gap in the market after conducting research into the rise of the smartphone and the popularity of mobile apps. According to his research, 64% of smartphone owners are now using mobile apps to order from their favourite businesses and these numbers are rising rapidly.

Mohammad said: “Customers now want greater accessibility and freedom when purchasing things online. With our app, because we bypass any issues relating to internet availability or connectivity, we empower the customers to order from their favourite takeaway with a much greater convenience.

“In return, the takeaways receive a direct and loyal customer base, instead of competing with other restaurants, as they do on other similar global fast food websites, such as Hungryhouse and Just Eat.”

As for future growth, Mohammad hopes to employ more people, in order to help the business expand, by opening a sales-base in London. To achieve this, he will seek help from the University’s Enterprise Team in The Duke of York Young Entrepreneur Centre.

The team assists enterprising students and recent graduates, like Mohammad, to develop their business ideas through one-to-one meetings with their business advisors, a series of business skills events. It also, where appropriate, provides them with proof-to-concept funding and a professional base for the business.

Mohammad added: “The Enterprise Team has always been supportive to me. Because of the amount of expertise in the Centre, they have always been able to give me constructive feedback and consultations on different aspects of the business. Their help has been invaluable.”

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