Food tech entrepreneurs in the UAE have collaborated to launch the BuyNowDineLater.com initiative, a platform that allows members of the public to purchase gift vouchers from restaurants and cafes operating in the country for later use when restaurants reopen their doors.
In light of the current lockdown impacting the FnB industry as a result of the outbreak of the “COVID-19” coronavirus, over 200,000 employees in the hospitality industry in Dubai alone are being affected either directly or indirectly according to a Gulf Business report with many restaurants facing closures.
PointCheckout has launched the initiative with the collaboration of Reserveout, FooDiva, EatApp, Time Out Dubai, Foodics and Let’sDXB, aiming to help restaurants to overcome the challenges imposed by the current lockdowns and restrictions to limit losses. Over 100 restaurants are already listed, as website visitors simply search for their favourite restaurant on www.BuyNowDineLater.com, buy gift vouchers of varying amounts with discounts of up to 50 percent, and the voucher revenue is sent to the restaurants.
“We have a responsibility as entrepreneurs to help fellow FnB entrepreneurs in whichever way we can by being resourceful in these times, it was amazing to see the manay partners jumping on the opportunity of supporting this initiative as well and we thank them for that. We invite people to buy these vouchers and support their favourite spots around the UAE,” said Bashar Saleh, CEO of PointCheckout.
Customers receive their vouchers through SMS and Email as a QR code, and simply show the code for redemption the next time they visit the restaurant. The developed technology powered by PointCheckout is also made available for restaurants to use in order to issue their own vouchers and list them on the site, FnB entrepreneurs are invited to reach out online directly through www.BuyNowDineLater.com.
