LivingSocial Instant Deals to Enter San Francisco and Entice Eaters With $1 Lunch

WASHINGTON, July 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- LivingSocial today announced plans to tempt diners with $1 San Francisco treats from more than 100 local merchants on July 13 to celebrate the city's launch of LivingSocial Instant Deals. Earlier this year, LivingSocial was the first to market with this breakthrough in local commerce, enabling consumers to find immediate deals at nearby restaurants and attractions. Once the fun of $1 lunch day is done, LivingSocial Instant Deals will continue serving up scrumptious Instant Deals offers to help those who live or visit The Golden Gate City find the best local values.

On Wednesday, July 13, eager eaters in San Francisco will need only a free LivingSocial account and a smartphone with the LivingSocial app or a computer to partake in Dollar Lunch Day. Starting just after sunrise, members can log into the app or go online to www.livingsocial.com/instant, select Instant Deals and marvel at a mass of $1 lunch offers within walking distance.

LivingSocial $1 lunch vouchers will be available for purchase beginning at 6:00 a.m. PT and will be available for redemption from 11:00 a.m. PT to 2:00 p.m. PT(1) on Wednesday, July 13, only.

How to nab the best bargains by the Bay:

• Step One: Download the latest version of the LivingSocial mobile application(2) to your iPhone, iPad or Android device. When the app opens, click on Instant Deals. Or, visit the LivingSocial Instant Deals website and select "San Francisco" as your city.
• Step Two: Take your pick from the list of available Instant Deals near your current coordinates, and pay one dollar per voucher.
• Step Three: Hoof it to the merchant location and display your Instant Deals voucher on your mobile device (or print a hard copy from your computer) at check-out.

Drum roll, please. Take a gander at just a few of the fine establishments who are signed on for San Francisco's $1 lunch day:

• Bistro Burger
• San Francisco Soup Company (Multiple Locations)
• Kyoto Sushi
• Kennedy's Irish Pub & Curry House
• And many more!

San Francisco is the third LivingSocial Instant Deals rollout this year. In March, LivingSocial Instant Deals was introduced in Washington, D.C. and a month later more than 27,000 $1 lunch vouchers were sold within a 14-mile area. In June, LivingSocial members purchased more than 15,000 $1 lunch vouchers within approximately four square miles in Midtown Manhattan celebrating the arrival of Instant Deals in New York City.

"We are excited to launch LivingSocial Instant Deals in a city known for both cutting-edge technology and fantastic food," said Tim O'Shaughnessy, CEO and co-founder of LivingSocial. "Dollar Lunch Day is a perfect way to bring foodies, early adopters and LivingSocial members together to scour old stomping grounds and discover new favorites throughout San Francisco."

As the source for handpicked deals at a great value, LivingSocial invests in members and merchants in every market in which the company operates. Merchants are aligned with a local, knowledgeable contact who lives, works and plays in their city. Sales and marketing personnel work closely with merchants to craft deals and determine the most profitable and marketable offer structure.

LivingSocial Instant Deals revolutionizes the way merchants market their businesses and consumers discover the best experiences in their neighborhood. Local merchants work with LivingSocial's team of on-the-ground local commerce experts to craft deals and optimize traffic through their doors. Unlike LivingSocial daily deals, which are live for 24 hours, Instant Deals are live for a short period of time, providing increased opportunity for businesses to enhance their customer base.

LivingSocial plans to roll-out Instant Deals in more U.S. locations soon. For a full list of LivingSocial cities or to subscribe, go to livingsocial.com. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/livingsocial, or join us on Facebook at facebook.com/livingsocial.

About LivingSocial

LivingSocial adds surprise to every calendar with handpicked daily deals you can share with friends. Members enjoy at least 50 percent off on the coolest, local experiences. Local business owners get an easy and cost effective marketing tool to attract new, loyal customers. In 2010, one of the fastest growing companies in the space expanded with LivingSocial Escapes offering a "vacation in a box" for easy weekend trips at great value. Based in Washington, D.C., the international company has saved nearly 39 million subscribers more than half a billion dollars in more than 20 countries on 6 continents.

(1)  Offerings and hours of operation may vary by location and the price tag includes sales tax (gratuities not included.)

(2)  Members must download the latest version of the mobile application.

SOURCE LivingSocial