EatFuti, the Des Moines-based food discovery and delivery platform known for its capybara mascot and community-first mission, is expanding to Ames, aimed squarely at local restaurant owners and budget-conscious students.
The company has already brought a handful of Ames restaurants online and is working to add more in the coming weeks.
Founder and CEO Tin Lam said expanding to Ames is part of a broader effort to support small businesses, create jobs and offer a lower-cost alternative to national delivery apps.
Lam, who immigrated to Des Moines from Vietnam at age 10, said his own experience navigating language barriers shaped the company’s mission to help restaurateurs reach more customers.
“We want to bring EatFuti to Ames to support more local businesses and create more job opportunities, especially in a college town,” Lam said. “We know there are big delivery apps in Ames, but they charge the arm and the leg. We want to stand out by keeping costs down and keeping money local.”
A platform built around discovery and international cuisine
EatFuti launched five years ago with a focus on helping customers discover international restaurants. The app includes filters for dietary needs and distance. While the company is known for highlighting ethnic cuisine, it has been expanding to include more American restaurants as well.
More than 120 restaurants in the Des Moines metro use the platform. Lam said he hopes Ames will eventually reflect similar growth.
The company allows customers to order directly through its website without downloading the app, a feature Lam said helps people who may not have access to a smartphone or prefer not to use apps.
“Our mission has always been about strengthening the community through food, technology and real relationships,” Lam said. “We want to help restaurants grow and help customers discover new food.”
Lower delivery fees in Ames aid push to support local owners
EatFuti relies on a smaller operation with less overhead, allowing the company to charge restaurants significantly lower commissions than national competitors, marketing director Khang Nguyen said. Those savings help restaurants avoid raising menu prices on delivery orders.
“The cost to order through our app is cheaper because restaurants do not need to raise their prices,” Nguyen said. “That helps students and helps the local economy.”
The company is also offering a 30‑day free trial for restaurants that join the platform. There is no contract or long-term commitment. Lam said the goal is to remove barriers for owners who may be overwhelmed by daily sales calls from delivery companies or who have not yet explored online ordering.
But reaching owners in Ames has been more challenging than in Des Moines, Lam said.
“We are well known in Des Moines, but in Ames it is more difficult because owners get approached every day,” Lam said. “We are here to support the local community, and we hope more owners will reach out.”
EatFuti is also offering a lifetime free e‑commerce package to the first 30 restaurants that mention they read about the company in the Ames Tribune.
EatFuti promotions for students and a growing rewards system
To help introduce the app in Ames, EatFuti plans to give between 1,000 and 3,000 students a $10 dollar credit to use at local restaurants. The final number will depend on how many restaurants sign on. For each participating restaurant, EatFuti will cover the first 100 customers who redeem the credit.
The company is also giving away 25 to 50 of its popular capybara backpacks. Customers who qualify will receive an email to arrange delivery of the backpack within three days.
Lam said the capybara mascot became a surprise hit after going viral in Asia and outperforming the company’s red panda merchandise.
“People love the capybara because you cannot find it anywhere in Iowa,” Lam said. “It is custom-made with our logo.”
EatFuti’s rewards system allows users to earn points for every order, which can be redeemed for free food, gift cards or stuffed animals. The company is planning a major app upgrade that will streamline ordering and offer video features, allowing customers to see how some dishes are prepared.
Where to find EatFuti
Online: eatfuticonnect.com
Apple store: apps.apple.com
Des Moines Register entertainment editor Susan Stapleton contributed to this article.
Ronna Faaborg covers business and the arts for the Ames Tribune. Reach her at rfaaborg@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Food delivery app EatFuti expands to Ames with focus on lower fees
Reporting by Ronna Faaborg, Ames Tribune / Ames Tribune
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