Award-winning sandwich app is adopted at 400 UK business parks following support from Santander

Ashley Wright’s ingenious new LunchAlert app is the first of its kind for Android and iPhone, and is based on the simple idea of alerting staff when their favourite sandwich van is about to arrive.

Designed in Liverpool, with support from Santander’s SME Incubator where LunchAlert is based in St Paul’s Square, the app also helps delivery companies to maximise profits with more regular sales, which in turn cuts surplus food waste.

Now the app has scooped a top innovation award, after impressing judges at the British Sandwich Industry Awards, known as the Sammies, scooping Best New Product for packaging or equipment, 2017.

In its first year of business, LunchAlert has so far been adopted by delivery companies operating 100 vans serving almost 400 business parks, and catering for over 2800 customers.

It’s being used in 15 counties including Cheshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Durham, Lincolnshire, Teesside, Cambridgeshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, and Kent.

The app was tested by Warrington sandwich delivery firm LunchCo, before going to market.

Among those who’ve so far introduced the app is one of the largest independent bakery chains in the North East, Cooplands of Scarborough.

As well as alerting workers that their van is arriving, it tells people what’s on the menu that day, and gives details of any special offers – again helping maximise sales for vendors, while promoting the best deals to their customers.

LunchAlert is now looking to sign up yet more food delivery companies, as the app’s customer base continues to grow in size.

Ashley, age 42, and originally from Barnsley in Yorkshire, runs LunchAlert jointly with developers Mike Carter, 38, of Runcorn and Andrew Ballard, also 38, of Irlam in Manchester.

Ashley said: 

LunchAlert came about as a practical solution to a problem I encountered when I was working at a business park developing different apps.

I noticed that several sandwich vans visited each day and would beep their horns when they arrived to get attention. Often no-one would go out and the van would leave not having made a sale.

We did some research and nearly 50% of people said they didn't know when their local sandwich vendor was arriving, or had missed them because they were not aware they had arrived.

It was having a knock on effect for the delivery companies too, as not only were they losing out on sales, they were also having to throw away unused stock and that was costing them even more money.

He continued:

We identified an opportunity in the market where the sandwich van industry could be modernised, as the take-away food industry has, with the use of mobile technology.

It also provided the potential to increase sales and profits whilst cutting daily wastage and being more environmentally friendly solution with less sound pollution as the vans didn’t need to beep their horns.

Their innovative app harnesses the power of an everyday smartphone to provide a direct link between mobile sandwich delivery vans and their customers.

The service supports sandwich vendors to promote their products and offers whilst growing their customer base.

Customers receive alerts direct to their phones informing them when the sandwich van is due to arrive at their workplace. It also provides marketing information from the sandwich vendor such as the menu, daily specials, plus any discount promotional offers.

Ashley said:

It gives the vendors a direct route to marketing their product straight into the phones of their customers. Vendors can also increase customer numbers as offers and promotions are exclusive to LunchAlert users.

The trio were delighted to receive their prestigious Sammies award from the British Sandwich & Food to Go Association, this summer.

They won the award for best New Sandwich Product in the packaging/equipment category, beating off stiff competition from supermarket chain Asda, food packaging company RAP, and software firm Data Therapy.

Ashley said:

We were blown away to win at the Sammies. It’s amazing to be recognised in this way and it feels like all the hard work has paid off. All credit goes to the judges for their foresight supporting new startup companies like ourselves.

LunchAlert was developed with support from Santander’s SME (Small to Medium Enterprise) Incubator, including mentoring, the use of city centre offices in St Paul’s Square, Liverpool, and access to a wide network of business contacts and advice through its Breakthrough Programme.

Santander Incubator manager Lynne Robertson said:

LunchAlert demonstrates an innovative use of smartphone technology to help solve a real life problem for food delivery businesses. It’s exciting to see this start-up venture go from strength to strength, and for it to be adopted around the UK is a success worth celebrating.

Ashley said the LunchAlert vendors had enjoyed particular success when using the app to promote offers and specials, reporting up to a 35% increase in take up.

The app continues to be updated with new features which further support vendors, Ashley said:

Vendors can now use the app track their drivers, making sure that they are following the best route. They can also can also monitor customer sign ups and their locations so they have a better idea of which businesses to target to increase sales.

It’s a really exciting time for LunchAlert. We’re looking forward to keeping improving the app as more people sign up.

To find out more visit the LunchAlert website. The customer and vendor smartphone apps can be found in the Google and Apple stores.

For more information, please visit Santander's Breakthrough Programme.