Restaurant Deals Coming to a Phone Near You

Everybody knows that Westchester offers a ton of great restaurants. But not everyone knows about Westchester Foodies--a brand new, subscriber-based text message service that transmits culinary coupons right to your cell phone. 

The "Foodies" franchise is in Chicago, Long Island and now Westchester. Launched in July by Nick Simard and Ronnie Ram of InspiriaMedia, it already has over two hundred consumers subscribed to the free service.

Subscribers to "Foodies" get up to two texts per week of specials and event announcements from restaurants in the particular area they have signed up for. The county is broken up into five areas: White Plains, Sound Shore, Central and Lower Westchester, Northern Weschester and River Towns. 

"Consumers can find deals in different advertising publications, but there's so much technology out there, we felt it was very important to have a text platform," Simard said. "Texting has become pervasive. Everyone's using it." 

Potential deals offered through Westchester Foodies include "buy one get one free" entrees, free appetizers and complimentary glasses of house wine. All it takes to redeem the deal is showing the text at the restaurant. 

"We have twenty-eight standard deals that we suggest to our clients," Simard said. "Based on the needs of the particular restaurant, we can develop different specials." 

As the Foodies concept grows, restaurants around Wesctshester county are starting to hear word about it.

Georgietta Jankowski is the manager of Opus 465 in Armonk. The restaurant and bar offers salads, sandwiches, pastas and seafood. But they do not offer deals via Foodies- yet.

"I would definitely be interested in learning more about it," Jankowski said. "Text message is the rage now, it's probably how most people get their information. I think this could be good for every business."

For $10 a month, restaurants get a "Foodies" mobile web page and access to texting as few or many Foodies subscribers as they wish at $.20 a text. Their first month's membership and 250 texts are free. So far, restaurants in White Plains and Central and Lower Westchester have signed up. Restaurants in other zones have meetings set up to learn more about the service and possibly become a part of Foodies, the company's owners said. 

"They love it," Simard said. "Probably 80 percent of the restaurants we call, we get appointments immediately."

Restaurant-goers are also falling in love with the Foodies concept, although many have yet to learn about it or subscribe to the service. The idea itself excites and intrigues Westchester locals, like Nicholas Phelan.

"Even though we have so many restaurants that are amazing throughout the entire county, people can never think of a place off hand," said Phelan. "People love to explore and each town is so different and has a lot to offer. Getting a text that says a restaurant you wouldn't think of is a plus, and getting a deal on where you dine is just icing on the cake."

To subscribe, text "WFOODIES" to 75667 or follow the directions on the website. The service is free, but standard text messaging rates apply. You won't get spammed or receive more than two deals per zone per week (Simard guarantees it).