Joshua Burke, the co-founder of Bongo’s Bingo, is to release a new app, which he believes will change the way customers interact with the hospitality industry.
With the Government starting to relax lockdown, pubs, bars, restaurants and clubs will begin to open over the coming months.
Burke believes Glug will help them fulfil social distancing requirements, by minimising contact time.
The free app will enable users to reserve a table, see full menus, order and pay in advance.
That means there should be fewer queues at venues; a quicker, more efficient waiting service; and no cards or cash switching hands.
The project started out 3 years ago, with Burke working alongside co-founders Carl Whiteside and Lewis Allbones. David Gallimore, who’s provided similar solutions to Wetherspoons, Pizza Express, Mitchells and Butlers and Greene King has also joined the team.
“I will be working with Josh and the team in the capacity of Board Advisor to help support Glug’s growth with my technical and industry expertise and experience,” explained Gallimore.
“Having previously been involved in bringing very similar technical products to market and scaling them to national level, I am well placed to advise on key consideration, industry dynamics and help the company to build relationships and avoid common pitfalls as they grow.”
Burke added that they had already raised £250k of investment:
“Glug is something we all passionately believe in. We have seen what kind of works and what doesn’t, and believe Glug will be the definitive way forward. It will help businesses and their customers by linking them together, with the free app’s users able to engage in a whole host of innovative functions.
“As an example, each year we waste on average 7 days waiting to be served – that’s a real frustration point for me personally and professionally! Glug will make waiting around a thing of the past and improve many other parts of this relationship. With reduced capacity due to social distancing, venues will want to maximise their revenue and how they engage with customers.”
Liverpool-based Burke co-founded Bongo’s Bingo with Jonny Lacey. Described as “the definitive bingo experience” it has become a global hit, selling 2m tickets in 5 years across 50 different locations.
