Fri 4th Mar 2016 - Itsu launches new delivery app and service Itsu launches new delivery app and service: Itsu, the healthy Asian food chain created by Pret A Manger co-founder Julian Metcalfe, has launched its new delivery app and service – Itsu [to you]. The service will initially be available in south London for weekday lunch orders in postcodes SW1, SW8, SE11, SE17 and parts of SE1. From mid-March, the availability will widen to a lunch and evening service and Itsu [to you] has ambitious plans to expand across London and other cities over the coming months. The new app allows customers to order freshly-cooked hot and cold Itsu food for delivery, track and communicate with the driver, known as “ninjas”, and pay either individually or collectively. Itsu [to you], a start-up subsidiary under the Itsu brand, is led by Itsu’s former head of marketing Celeste Tobias-Metcalfe. She said: “Everyone is time-poor in the 21st century, especially Itsu customers, and often we’re too busy focusing on so much other stuff that food can take a back seat. That’s where food delivery comes in but too often that means unhealthy options. Itsu [to you] sets out to change all that by making the whole process of ordering food not just healthy and quick but also fun and social. I see this as having massive appeal for businesses wanting an inspiring team lunch that’s not going to make everyone feel sluggish in the afternoon as well as groups of friends wanting a break from the usual stodgy delivery options and having a good time while deciding what to share. Everything about Itsu [to you] is designed with the customer at heart. We’ve elected to work with the best technology partners rather than use an ‘out of the box’ solution. There’s nowhere that we have compromised on the customer experience.” Designed for groups, Itsu [to you] embraces the latest technology and combines it in an app powered by MyCheck’s mobile payment and loyalty platform; Google’s Firebase cloud software, and Bringg’s last-mile delivery technology. Together, this allows a team of people – friends, workmates – to collaboratively build a single order; share dishes, and then pay individually, if desired, using a payment method and device of their choice, including Apple Pay. Customers are also able to communicate with their delivery driver – known as “ninjas” – and track their position on a map within the app. The kitchen, menu and even the packaging is bespoke, new and created with sharing in mind, allowing Itsu [to you] customers to “eat beautiful, together”. With the UK set to spend almost £8bn a year on takeaways by the end of the decade, Itsu said Itsu [to you] offers a “freshly made and healthy alternative”. Itsu [to you] has a “refer-a-friend” scheme in place where the referee receives £5 credit and the referrer, £10 credit.