LivingSocial Launches Test of New Instant Food Ordering and Delivery Features

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- LivingSocial today launched a test of new food ordering and delivery features as part of the LivingSocial Instant service. Starting today, LivingSocial members in Washington, D.C. will be able to order food for pickup or delivery from a range of popular D.C. restaurants. LivingSocial also unveiled "LivingSocial Room Service" a new feature that will offer white glove delivery from top local restaurants with special amenities and personal touches, all managed by LivingSocial staff.

"Our goal is to provide the most compelling and valuable services for members and restaurateurs alike," said Tim O'Shaughnessy, CEO of LivingSocial. "Integrating delivery into our Instant service gives LivingSocial's merchant partners the ability to reach customers both in their restaurants and the places they live and work.  In addition, LivingSocial Room Service will offer a new and unique service that turns your dinner table into the chef's table at an exclusive restaurant through white glove delivery to your home. We believe these features enable restaurants to better meet the needs of all of their customers, from dine-in to carry-out, delivery, and more exclusive personal service."

Instant ordering

Instant ordering will allow members in D.C. to easily order food for pickup and avoid long lines during the lunch or dinner rush. If the restaurant offers delivery, members can order food to be brought to their home or office right from their computer or smartphone. LivingSocial members in D.C. can order food from more than 70 local restaurants, including Wisey's, Chix, Sala Thai and Shawafel.  With the addition of Instant ordering, LivingSocial offers a suite of marketing tools restaurants can pick and choose from based on their needs. For example, vouchers purchased for Wednesday's Rasoi Daily Deal in Washington, D.C. will be redeemable online through Instant starting Thursday, allowing Rasoi to quickly turn purchasers into customers and offer a portal through which members can continue to purchase long after using their Daily Deal.

"LivingSocial provides a great channel to reach new customers," said Poonam Dhingra, Owner, Rasoi. "We are excited about linking our Daily Deal to Instant because it allows us to gain new customers right away, while also exposing them to a platform they can come back and purchase from over and over again at full retail price."

LivingSocial Room Service

LivingSocial Room Service is a new white glove delivery option also available through LivingSocial Instant allowing restaurateurs to add more tables without expanding their restaurant. LivingSocial Room Service offers members the opportunity to experience some of D.C.'s finest restaurants in the convenience and privacy of their own homes. With LivingSocial Room Service no detail is forgotten, including high-quality tableware, dining accessories, top-shelf presentation of food and a special after-dinner treat. Of course the food, prepared by some of D.C.'s top chefs, is the main event. Available in downtown D.C. on Thursday and Friday nights, LivingSocial Room Service will feature a new restaurant each week. The prix fixe menu will change based upon each chef's expertise and cuisine specialties.

"Much like our ever changing menu, LivingSocial Room Service is quite unique and innovative, which is what sold us on the service," said Ari Kushimoto Norris, Co-owner, KUSHI restaurant. "We are pleased to be the official LivingSocial Room Service launch partner and with LivingSocial's help we look forward to bringing the pleasure of the KUSHI Izakaya & sushi experience to even more D.C. residents."

Ordering food through Instant is simple – just log in to livingsocial.com/instant, input your current location and preference (pickup, delivery, or dine in) and you will be on your way.

For a full list of LivingSocial products and the cities where products are available, go to livingsocial.com. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/livingsocial. Join us on Facebook at facebook.com/livingsocial. LivingSocial products and services are subject to the Terms and Conditions found at livingsocial.com/terms.  

About LivingSocial

LivingSocial helps people around the world find, share and enjoy great local deals and new experiences. We'll help you get more out of your city. Through its daily deal e-mails and alerts, LivingSocial introduces members to handpicked local businesses, products or services each day at significant savings. With a range of products for different interests, like Families and Adventures, LivingSocial helps delight members with the perfect deal for them. Other services include LivingSocial Escapes, which features easy "vacations in a box" to leading destinations, and LivingSocial Instant, which helps members discover real-time discounts at nearby restaurants, stores and businesses. LivingSocial works with each merchant partner to create customized marketing solutions that attract and retain loyal, long-term customers. Based in Washington, D.C., LivingSocial now has more than 46 million members in 25 countries.

SOURCE LivingSocial