Are there any foodies here?

[Ohene]

Systemizing it might prove difficult. If I were trying to do it, I’d do it in one central location, get a few vendors to come out once a week, sell tickets as an event and have the vendors set up samples as a way to broaden their reach. Let them do the heavy lifting of making the sale after the event, you make money two ways (vendor fee to demo, foodie fee to come and sample food)

Thats tough to scale and could be a bit volatile from a revenue standpoint

What i am thinking of is more of a b2b marketplace/procurement software . Many procurement software exists but this would be a niche

 

[TL15]

Thats tough to scale and could be a bit volatile from a revenue standpoint

What i am thinking of is more of a b2b marketplace/procurement software . Many procurement software exists but this would be a niche

Unsure your model, but if you’re going to try and build a software that businesses can use to try and get their products into gas stations, I think your barrier will be difficult.

If you ever want to bounce any ideas I’d love to give advice

 

[CreepyMcCreeperson]

My local Caribbean spot was in the grimiest plaza, and it’s known for having crackheads, and drug deals. It was only 5 minutes away, but it’s one of those drive a couple blocks, and the environment changes kind of things.

BUT

The owners opened another restaurant in a better plaza about 10 minutes away, and it’s new, and safe, and clean, and it’s the same food.



But they put too much sauce on the Rasta pasta

 

[Ohene]

Unsure your model, but if you’re going to try and build a software that businesses can use to try and get their products into gas stations, I think your barrier will be difficult.

If you ever want to bounce any ideas I’d love to give advice

Youre too zeroed in on gas stations lol
I agree though that generally trying to get into large enterprise level businesses could be too high a barrier

Might need to focus on regional / local lebel businesses only

 

[TL15]

Youre too zeroed in on gas stations lol
I agree though that generally trying to get into large enterprise level businesses could be too high a barrier

Might need to focus on regional / local lebel businesses only

I’m not focused on gas stations.

I’m saying there are already distribution channels for businesses to get into larger/other retailers.

If im a small business, what is my incentive to use your future platform to get into a Whole Foods, when there is already a way for me to do that?

Unless you establish ironclad and guaranteed relationships with large retailers, it just seems like this marketplace you want to build might be an extra step for a retailer.

If the B2C channel doesn’t exist (you mentioned too far out for Uber eats for example) what is your platform going to exclusively offer that makes it worthwhile?

Either way, wishing you success for sure, just seems like it might be a cumbersome idea.

 

[Ohene]

I’m not focused on gas stations.

I’m saying there are already distribution channels for businesses to get into larger/other retailers.

If im a small business, what is my incentive to use your future platform to get into a Whole Foods, when there is already a way for me to do that?

Unless you establish ironclad and guaranteed relationships with large retailers, it just seems like this marketplace you want to build might be an extra step for a retailer.

If the B2C channel doesn’t exist (you mentioned too far out for Uber eats for example) what is your platform going to exclusively offer that makes it worthwhile?

Either way, wishing you success for sure, just seems like it might be a cumbersome idea.

I hear you

Thing is it doesn’t seem like there is a widespread tool for this

Not that I’ve seen yet at least

Range.me is definitely one relatively widespread one. Faire and Mabel’s are others. However they don’t address the local niche. Blue cart could be another

At the onset the only real differentiator will be providing local businesses with the ability to procure, produce , sell and distribute in the way CPG manufactuerers and food service businesses do. Over time the key would be adding additional modules that relate to documentation, integration with erp systems, regulatory approvals and collaborations I think. Gotta do some research. If its xumbersome like you say cant be wastung time and money if theres no need for it

 

[WIA20XX]

I'm thinkin through a project and wanted to ask a few questions to see if it makes sense.

Simply put...

Do any of yall have any favourite spots in yall's city, but find them hard to access because they only have on location and its too far away?

For example, lets say there is a bakery that sells the best cookies, or a spot that sells the best patties, but its like a 45 minute drive and using uber eats is too cumbersome.

If so, if lets say those cookies, or patties or whatever were made available at your local gas station, convenience store, grocery store etc...would you buy them and how frequently?

I like Krispy Kreme donuts.
The closest one I can think of is at Dupont Circle. (Maybe Columbia Heights...)

They started carrying them at the grocery store - but it's a dozen.
I only want one.

They offer half dozens for the promotion of the mont
They offer mini packs

I just want one. And I'd personally rather hop on the train (or hoof it from South East, just to get the steps/calories burned)

So sub in Georgetown Cupcakes, Laduree Macarons, Levain Bakery, Firehook Bakery (which they call something else now), etc - and I wouldn't personally get them.

Gas Station or a Bodega? Certainly not.
My regular degular supermarket, prolly not.

Whole Foods? Maybe.

 

[WIA20XX]

But if you're making an app for food or whatever

I'd love for the bodega's inventory to be linked into some sort of geo/locational thing....

That is, I stop into local bodegas to see what sort of off-brand chips, candies, sodas, junk food they have - that all the other places don't have. One bodega might carry Kola Champagne, whereas another one might have Cherry Ginger Ale

I was randomly in NE, and went into an Ethiopian spot - they had Big Kats - which I rarely see.

It'd be nice for beer...

The problem is those people that run those bodegas probably aren't tracking every single piece of inventory they have...sooo

 

[Ohene]

I like Krispy Kreme donuts.
The closest one I can think of is at Dupont Circle. (Maybe Columbia Heights...)

They started carrying them at the grocery store - but it's a dozen.
I only want one.

They offer half dozens for the promotion of the mont
They offer mini packs

I just want one. And I'd personally rather hop on the train (or hoof it from South East, just to get the steps/calories burned)

So sub in Georgetown Cupcakes, Laduree Macarons, Levain Bakery, Firehook Bakery (which they call something else now), etc - and I wouldn't personally get them.

Gas Station or a Bodega? Certainly not.
My regular degular supermarket, prolly not.

Whole Foods? Maybe.

Got it
Why would you cop these items
You like from the bodega or gas station?

Gas stations out here often have a time hortons attached for instance

 

[MajesticLion]

Let me think of a few other examples but this is the first one that popped in my mind. At one time their retail was more carts/seasonal. They’ve partnered with smaller grocers up to Whole Foods ( on a local level not national).

King of Pops Wholesale

Whole Foods does this a fair amount to have local offerings in stores as well.

Delia's also tried this before they went under.

 

[WIA20XX]

Got it
Why would you cop these items
You like from the bodega or gas station?

Gas stations out here often have a time hortons attached for instance

There are a grip of sub-reddits, IG pages, and other social media accounts that just track junk food/candy/soda stuff like that.

That's the genesis of the thought when it comes to, lemme check that out. Right now everyone's gassed up about the Reese' PB cups with Peanut Butter and Jelly. (Pass for me)

So if i'm on the hunt for something like that, I'll try 7-11/CVS or some corporate chain, and then into the independently owned bodegas and gas stations.

It's a bit of a treasure hunt (like going to Trader Joe's or CostCo or any Asian Market and seeing what kind of cool flavors they have in Lay's)

But let's say one of my local bakeries that pushes out a premium cooking for 4-6 bucks a pop...I'm not really trying to get that at Ahab's Stop and Rob.

I expect mass market stuff in mass market places.
I expect gourmet stuff in more gourmet/higher dollar places.

For Gas Station stuff - I look for things that I don't see at Grocery Stores.
Like Rap Snacks...

For whatever reason*, they don't carry Rap Snacks at Grocery Stores (* dat 'Cism, if you ask me)

^This is the perfect thing to find/look for at a Convenience store/Gas Station.

 

[Amerikan Melanin]

I’m definitely a foodie. Sounds like you are describing something for hungry nikkas with no transportation.

 

[Jasonmask]

Op doesn’t understand marketing

 

[Ohene]

Op doesn’t understand marketing

What are you talking about