Launched in April 2019, Coffee Monster allows users to order and pay for coffee and snacks from any of the 180+ coffee shops listed on its platform. By equipping coffee shops with a mobile ordering solution, the app allows customers to discover new locations, order and pay in advance, and collect loyalty points.
“The app is specifically built with a focus on coffee. Our smart stop collection option is aware of the location and estimates the time it will take to get to the coffee shop. We have options for both driving and walking. The bar staff is alerted when you are just minutes away to start brewing your coffee at the right time, ensuring it is the perfect temperature as you arrive,” co-founder Ashleigh Nestadt told Disrupt Africa.
Using Coffee Monster, customers – or “caffiends” – are able to discover new stores nearby or in a particular area, order and pay, select their preferred pickup method, choose a delivery time, collect loyalty points, and rate their experience. Coffee merchants – Monster Spots – are able to provide convenient, contactless service to customers, expose their brand to the app’s coffee community via a live map and list, and offer a transparent and accessible customer loyalty program. They can go live within 24 hours.
Coffee Monster already has over 20,000 downloads, with Nestadt saying it was filling a big gap.
“Coffee shops are moving towards a mobile, customer-centric experience. However, apps are difficult for merchants to build and maintain, and users don’t want to install an app for every coffee shop they may visit, or stores they may only visit once or twice. Therefore, our approach has been to create a large community of coffee shops all under the same app,” she said.
The self-funded startup continues to see huge growth in coffee shops joining, particularly as it offered a contactless solution during the covid-19 pandemic.
“Customers are also growing steadily and we continue to receive positive feedback about the service and concept,” Nestadt said.
“Our goal is to continue to grow our store footprint and we are doing that on a daily basis. While growing our stores, we also aim to grow our user base and have an exciting referral program for our users that will be launched soon.”
Coffee Monster charges a small transaction fee on each order placed, but there are no fees for signing up.
