This article about Wahyoo was written by Christa Sugi. Click here to see more of her work.
Foodpanda, Grab, Go-Food and LINEMAN are just a few of the Southeast Asian startups that have undeniably made life easier. For most millennials, especially those who live in the region, food delivery is now part of their daily routine. In many cases, using this technology is cheaper and more effective than cooking for one.
And while large chains and fast food outlets dominated the food delivery scene in its early years, hawker stalls have grown in popularity. However, these small businesses can struggle in fulfilling the demand from food delivery services.
Growing up as the son of a small catering owner in Indonesia, Peter Shearer understood the challenges facing hawker stalls and other small food businesses. That is why he founded Wahyoo, a game changing startup revolutionizing the country’s small-food business ecosystem.
If you haven’t heard about Wahyoo, they are a startup you should have on your radar. Here are three things you need to know about a company digitalizing traditional small food businesses in Indonesia.
Related: Halal2Go is a food delivery app focusing on halal food delivery
1) Wahyoo wants to improve the food industry
Wahyoo is a USD 5 million funded startup that was founded in 2017. The firm has created a digital system for small eateries and food business with its focus primarily on Indonesian hawker foods known locally as Warung. So far, the company has helped almost 14,000 Warungs through an app that launched last year.
These eateries are mostly families-run outfits that have relied on doing things manually for generations. The app allows them to improve operations and quality as well as automate tasks such as ordering supplies or managing finances. Warung owners can also take financial courses through the company that teach them how to increase customer traffic and revenue.
2) Cooking up profits
Wahyoo has diversified its revenue streams while creating additional ways for Warungs to generate extra money as well. The most unique of these is Wahyoo’s fried chicken franchise where eateries can open a small stall in front of their stores with profits being shared. Currently there are 350 fried chicken stalls in operation with the startup hoping to increase that number to 1,000 before the year’s end.
3) Creating positive change
With approximately 268 million people in Indonesia, Wahyoo has established itself as a pillar of the small restaurant operation system. By creating a thriving ecosystem for small F&B businesses, the firm is ensuring these establishments will not only survive disruption but thrive because of it.
“Through the company’s digitization efforts, Wahyoo’s highly-targeted support for Warung businesses is creating positive economic and social impact for Indonesia’s working class.” Patrick Yip, Founding Partner of Intudo Ventures, the venture capital firm that led funding in the company, told TechCrunch.
