iPhone App Lets Users Order Meals On the Go
A Must-Have Smartphone App for Foodies and Frequent Diners
Feb 10, 2009
Today's smartphones are amazing in the things they can do. As the range of handy (some say addicting) apps continues to expand, we see some unique offerings from various companies all competing to get a slice of the smartphone app pie.
In the future, smartphones will become wallets, banks, and payment devices. They may even become doctors, as seen with some new fitness apps that work in conjunction with Wi-Fi sensor-enabled chest belts to monitor our vitals such as heart rate.
For now, smartphone users and food aficionados will be pleased to know that they can combine their two loves into one handy app for the iPhone: CityMint.
Overview of CityMint for iPhone
CityMint is a useful iPhone app that allows hungry diners to locate restaurants and browse menus in several major U.S. cities. The city list currently includes Los Angeles (including Venice, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica), Boston (including Cambridge and Somerville), Seattle, New York City (including Brooklyn), Chicago, and San Francisco.
After paying a one-time fee of $2.99, the user then downloads CityMint to his or her iPhone. Thereafter, the user can freely perform the following with a simple swipe of the finger:
- browse menus
- place an order for pickup or delivery
- locate restaurants on a map
- view a comprehensive list of participating restaurants in all cities
While CityMint provides a unique mobile menu-browsing and restaurant ordering service to consumers, it also provides a unique opportunity for restaurant owners looking to increase their customer base.
CityMint for Restaurant Owners
Restaurant owners have a unique opportunity to expand their business by listing their menu on the CityMint app. Orders placed by mobile users arrive instantly, customer wait times are decreased, and orders are accurate.
The company says they also promote the restaurant owner's business through print, radio, television, and internet media. A complete listing of participating restaurants is available on the CityMint website.
CityMint: The Bottom Line
The only conceivable impediment to CityMint's success is its one-time fee of $2.99 for its iPhone app. A few users may be turned off by the fee; but since it is a very low fee and the user pays it one time only, this shouldn't have a dramatic impact on CityMint's bottom line.
GrubHub is a website (now also an iPhone app) that offers a free restaurant takeout and delivery ordering service where users can browse restaurants by reviews, cuisines, and neighborhoods. GrubHub users can also store their past orders, favorite menus, and reviews in their My Menu Drawer.
While GrubHub is free, their range of restaurants is limited to only four cities: Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, and New York.
Bottom line, CityMint's restaurant takeout and delivery app for the iPhone is a great way for diners to discover restaurants in their area. It's also very convenient for those on the go who are pressed for time and need to order from their favorite neighborhood restaurant quickly and efficiently.
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