JOIN USFour friends went out for drinks and had a great time. But they stumbled around to split the bill in dim lights at the bar. That day they decided to bring an end to this problem and like any new-generation mind would do, they built an app for it.
This led Ajay Joseph, Santhosh Martin, Gaurav Arora and Amit Roy to the creation of ‘Binge’. Ajay, one of the co-founders, says, “We wanted to create something that would simplify the process of paying bills at restaurants. With our app, users can avoid all the commotion and finish the transaction with the restaurant in just a click.”
Finding favour with the foodies of the City, the users can create a unique ID which needs to be presented to the restaurant, and with every order placed or repeated, the app updates the order and distributes the bill among everyone in the group. The user may also store up to four credit/debit card details for one ID. “The idea is to enhance new-age payments through your cell phone. It’s like having a physical wallet on your fingertips,” he adds.
Though the idea was conceptualised about two years ago, the app launched only in March 2015. As a couple of the founders were already from a hospitality background, it gave them an easier understanding of how the app should work. So far they have 14,000 people with a ‘Binge’ account, and have partnered with 130 restaurants in the City.
“It not only helps the customers, but also the restaurant. All they had to do was install a small software to their system in 20 minutes. When the customer makes the payment, it goes to their point-of-sales system and the bill is paid,” he explains. The advantage of the app is not only for a gang to divide the bill but also an easy transaction for an individual diner.
They have also embedded a new addition to the app where one can also reserve the tables on their phones. The customers will have a virtual display of the tables available or the waiting-list of the restaurant and can reserve it for themselves.
The team has faced a lot of struggles in their attempt to make the app work, but they say it has been worth it. “It took a while for us to figure things out since data connectivity was one of the most crucial aspects. But we’ve worked it all out and we hope to give everyone a great dining experience in the City,” says Ajay.