Curbit "Pitches the Tide" with Shawn Walchef

Scott Siegel, Co-Founder & CEO of Curbit, joins Shawn Walchef of CaliBBQ on Pitch the Tide to talk about Curbit's order orchestration solution for the restaurant industry's digital ordering challenges.

The Problem:

Siegel highlights common frustrations experienced by both customers and restaurant operators due to the surge in digital ordering post-pandemic. Customers often wait longer than expected for pickup or delivery, while operators deal with crowded lobbies, delivery drivers, and shelves overflowing with unpicked-up food.

These issues are identified as symptoms of an "orchestration problem" where order flow isn't managed effectively, even affecting major brands like Starbucks.

Curbit's Solution:

Founded in 2019, Curbit focuses on real-time order orchestration and capacity management. 

• Capacity Management: Curbit connects a brand's kitchen display system (KDS) with its digital ordering system. It analyzes 100% of orders in real-time. As the kitchen gets busy, Curbit dynamically adjusts the estimated wait times provided to digital ordering platforms. When the kitchen catches up, times revert to baseline. 
  
  
• Post-Checkout Guest Experience: Curbit creates transparency for guests after they check out. They receive text or in-app messages informing them of their pickup time and location, and tracking their order's progress. This ensures guests and delivery drivers arrive precisely when food is ready, hitting the "Goldilocks zone." 
  
  
• Integration: Curbit acts as a "connective tissue" between various digital ordering systems (e.g., Olo, third parties) and kitchen execution systems (e.g., QSR Automations, Toast, Aloha). It integrates via API, requiring no hardware or rip-and-replace, making it an instant infrastructure enhancement. 

Impact and Benefits:

Curbit provides a free, data-driven assessment by instrumenting with a brand's systems, analyzing metrics like wait times and dwell times. This often leads to 100% conversion due to the clear demonstration of value. 

Key impact metrics include:

• 30-40% Goldilocks lift: More accurate fulfillment times. 
• 5-10% lift in digital ordering: Brands avoid overinflating wait times during non-peak periods, making them more available for orders. 
• Increased repeat rates and throughput. 
• Roughly a 0.5 point increase in Google ratings (approximately a 10% lift), as customers are happier with timely and accurate service. 
• Reduced stress for operators: Eliminates unnecessary conversations about order readiness, allowing staff to focus on making food and delighting guests. 
  
  

Let's connect:

Curbit serves major brands like Smashburger, Dave's Hot Chicken, Cava, and Mellow Mushroom, aiming to be live in 5,000 locations by the end of 2026.

Want to discuss your project?  Reach out to us.