Curate Technologies Secures $10 Million to Transform Restaurant Loyalty
Curate Technologies, a cutting-edge hospitality platform, has recently announced a successful funding round, raising $10 million to address a critical issue that has plagued the restaurant industry for years: customer reluctance to download yet another app. With the funds supplied by notable investors including Kirk Brown, co-founder of ZoomInfo, K5 Global, and individual investors, Curate aims to revolutionize restaurant loyalty programs using innovative technology.
The crux of the problem lies in the underutilization of branded restaurant apps. According to Curate’s analysis, a staggering 95% of restaurant delivery orders go through third-party applications, which can charge commissions as high as 30%. In response to this inefficiency, Curate has introduced Apple App Clips - a feature that allows customers to engage directly with restaurant services without the cumbersome process of downloading an application.
This exciting solution permits consumers to access a branded ordering and rewards platform simply by clicking on a link or scanning a QR code. In doing so, customers can effortlessly place orders and enroll in loyalty programs in mere seconds. Such seamless experiences have the potential to significantly drive customer retention, with Curate employing AI technology to analyze purchasing behaviors and optimize engagement strategies over time. Curate's implementations have already shown tangible results, with reported increases of nearly three times in commission-free delivery orders within just six months.
Grant Russell, CEO and Co-Founder of Curate, emphasizes that the restaurant industry's dilemma is not about having an ordering issue, but rather an adoption problem. By eliminating the 'app download' hurdle, Curate can facilitate a greater conversion rate from guests to loyalty program participants. This newfound capacity to maintain direct relationships with customers allows restaurants to take ownership of their data while simultaneously reducing their reliance on third-party services.
The benefits of Curate’s system extend beyond just simplified ordering; the platform allows restaurants to harness owned data, implement loyalty rewards, and enjoy higher conversion rates through first-party marketing strategies. The potential for personalized marketing arises from their AI engine, which can conduct the marketing campaigns across various channels such as SMS and email.
Several operational leaders, including Howard Gordon, the Chief Business Officer of Curate and a former executive at The Cheesecake Factory, note that addressing the disconnection between dining experience and operational efficiency is vital in today's fast-paced environment. Curate offers a unique solution that streamlines processes, augments customer interactions, and enhances overall profitability for restaurant operators.
Curate is not just a theoretical concept; it’s a tangible solution that yields immediate results. Early users report substantial increases in direct sales, with individual chains experiencing sales bumps upwards of 30%. For instance, Anne Nguyen, co-founder of Da Vien Coffee, witnessed their app reach #74 on the App Store within just three months of launching with Curate's platform, while Jimmy Lee from Mama Hieu’s reported an impressive 44.3% increase in online sales after switching from a previous ordering system.
What stands out about Curate is its commitment to transforming the landscape of restaurant loyalty and engagement by merging technology with an understanding of the hospitality sector. Backed by a seasoned leadership team with robust backgrounds in both artificial intelligence and restaurant management, Curate is poised to consolidate its presence in the industry significantly.
Curate Technologies, headquartered in Los Angeles, aims to serve restaurants across the spectrum from fast casual to fine dining, supporting them not just in surviving but thriving, by empowering them to take full control of their customer relationships and enhance profitability.
The future outlook looks promising for Curate Technologies as they expand and develop partnerships that will further solidify their position in the restaurant space. For more information or to explore their services, potential partners and consumers can visit their website at
www.getcurate.com.