Thursday, July 28, 2016

José Andrés's Beefsteak Expands Again, Adds Mobile Ordering

Andrés wants to make eating your veggies even easier

Beefsteak, the fast-casual, veggie-centric chain from celebrated chef José Andrés, is expanding again. Parent company ThinkFoodGroup has opened two more Beefsteak restaurants in Washington, D.C., and the chain has stretched beyond the D.C. market for the first time with a location on the University of Pennsylvania's campus in Philadelphia. But, simply growing the roster of fast-casual establishments isn't the only thing Andrés has in store for the brand; he's picking up on another modern trend too.

Following in the footsteps of quick-service giants such as StarbucksDunkin' Donuts, and Chick-fil-A, Beefsteak is introducing mobile ordering through a smartphone app. The app is currently available in Apple's App Store and the Google Play Store, and a rewards program is set up to offer customers credits. Soon, a "dedicated online ordering platform" for Beefsteak's D.C.-area restaurants will be integrated, according to a Thursday announcement.

The app will allow customers to place takeout orders up to 24 hours in advance, or for immediate consumption. Beefsteak says orders will be ready within 20 minutes during "peak times" — though the company doesn't offer a strict definition of when that might be — and 10 minutes during slower periods. As with other mobile-ordering apps that have popped up recently, customers will be able to save preferred locations, credit card information, and previous orders.

Andrés opened the first Beefsteak on George Washington University's campus in March 2015, aiming to give diners "vegetables, unleashed" (plant-based bowls, salads, sandwiches, etc.). The concept has been a hit, and it's quickly expanded with four more locations. In January, actor/lifestyle guru/healthy cookbook author Gwyneth Paltrow showed her love of the brand by investing at least $100,000.

• José Andrés's Beefsteak Explodes Onto the Fast-Casual Scene [E]

• Gwyneth Paltrow Invests in José Andrés's Fast-Casual Restaurant Concept, Beefsteak [E]

• All Beefsteak Coverage [E]

• All Expansions [E]

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