Wow Bao, a Chicago-based Lettuce Entertain You Enterprise, Inc. restaurant concept specializing in steamed Asian buns, announced the launch of a new “Online Ordering” tab on its Facebook page that allows fans to order their takeout or delivery meal right from the social media site. The application was developed by Exit41, a leading provider of Web, mobile, and call center ordering applications and services for the restaurant industry.
“With the addition of our Online Ordering tab on Facebook, we’ve just made it even easier for our most loyal fans to order our food,” says Geoff Alexander, vice president and managing partner, Wow Bao. “This is a tremendous opportunity for us to really engage with and reward our fans, plus attract new fans with the powerful, viral nature of Facebook.”
On Wow Bao’s Online Ordering tab, fans can browse a variety of the restaurants’ most popular menu items (everything from Barbecue Pork Bao to Homemade Fresh Ginger Ale), easily add selected items to their cart, and then complete the transaction on the Wow Bao online ordering site.
The application features real-time integration with the restaurant point of sale system for up-to-date pricing, taxes, and menu item availability.
Wow Bao’s Geoff Alexander presented the application at the National Restaurant Association’s NRA Show 2010 in Chicago, in the “Beyond the Counter: New Order Points for New Profit Centers” session on Saturday, May 22.
Exit41 will be launching Facebook ordering for its restaurant customers, which include some of the world’s leading fast-casual, casual-dining, and fine-dining brands.
Exit41 also has aggressive near-term plans to enhance the application with features including the ability for fans to share their favorite menu items with their friends, “Like” them, and find “Top-Liked” products across their network, and the ability for restaurants to instantly reward fans based on their order frequency.
“Adding online ordering to their Facebook page opens up a huge opportunity for restaurants to gain exposure to the millions of Facebook users,” says Joseph Gagnon, chief executive officer, Exit41. “Think of it – there is nothing more social than food and with this enhancement we have now fully integrated the restaurant into the social graph.”
