Suggested by 
Joel Salinger
almost 4 years ago
There is a lack of local market research tools for the restaurant industry. Restauranteurs rely on DIY tools such as visiting competitors, scanning social media, creating their own surveys, etc. Many startup restaurants are actually doomed from the outset because of incomplete local market research. There is a need to for an easy accessible, comprehensive local market research tool.
A secondary issue is the economics of the food delivery model is unsustainable for restaurants. Delivery used to be seen as additional "tables" but they have now grown into substitute "tables." The normal costs incurred by the restaurant in addition to the costs associated with delivery (delivery platform fees, driver fees, etc.) result in a net loss for these "tables." The increasing popularity of food delivery has decreased in-restaurant dining. Restaurants need a solution that will bring profitable diners back into the restaurant.
2)
The restaurant industry has historically always been one of the most difficult small businesses to succeed in. The failure rates are extremely high. Failure reasons include insufficient market research - poor location choice, not understanding the competitive landscape, not knowing customer base, etc. And then COVID accelerated the trend of declining in-restaurant dining. Restaurants are not at pre-pandemic levels, especially in urban areas. An effective market research tool is needed.
Are you interested in addressing this Unmet Need?
Founder & CEO at OnlineBar @ OnlineBar
Hi Joel, I'm a bit late to notice what you have proposed for restaurants. We have developed a platform that aims to bring foot traffic back to brick and mortar - the initial MVP was focused on restaurants, and we have transitioned our model toward bars and any corner shop, bodega, brick and mortar that sells alcohol. We intertwine marketing for branded products (digital deals and promos) with redemption on-premise at the brick and mortar place. Let's chat
Senior Data Analytics Manager @ Platform Venture Studio
To play devil's advocate here, is "combatting the decline" the right language to use? It may be that we need to strike a new balance between in-restaurant dining options and delivery dining options. That would lead to a question a long the lines of "how can restauranteurs rethink the business model to balance delivery/in-person profitably?"
I do like the second thought here.