Tech innovation continues during the COVID-19 pandemic.
E-commerce giant Rakuten has launched Rakuten Takeout to drive traffic and demand to mom and pop restaurants impacted by COVID-19. Rakuten Americas President and CEO Amit Patel said these restaurants typically do not have an e-commerce presence.
“Which means uploading a menu and allowing someone to actually select and build an order online and then getting that information to them at their restaurant,” Patel said.
The consumer then picks up the order at the restaurant.
To help drive the demand, consumers are offered 20% back on every order placed and is free for restaurants until November. Right now the service is in the San Mateo area, and a menu list can be found here.
“The plan then is to spread it around the Bay Area and then ultimately later this year take it nationwide,” Patel said.
NBA fans may recognize the Rakuten name from Golden State Warriors jerseys.
The company is the broadcast partner for NBA fans in Japan.
