THE owner of a popular takeaway said competition from Just Eat has led him to open a sit-down restaurant. 

Yasin Ahmed, the owner of Beef and Bird, intends to boost business by opening up a restaurant and takeaway on Silver Street. 

The Beef and Bird takeaway on Midland Road is set to close once the new restaurant opens near the city centre.

Customers will have the option to dine-in or order their food online from their own website. 

Mr Ahmed, who has 18 years of hospitality experience, believes expanding into a sit-down burger diner is the best way to compete with delivery app giants. 

The 33-year-old said: "Takeaways were easier but now it has a lot of challenges with Uber Eats and Just Eat. It has become hard to remain affordable. 

"We've used Uber Eats and Just Eat in the past but our aim shifted to being a restaurant.

"However, we still have our own takeaway platform. 

"Our customers are important to us and opening a restaurant means we are more in control of our products and services." 

Worcester News has been in touch with Uber Eats and Just Eat and will update the story when we have had their responses.

The delivery apps often charge independent businesses a fee in order to be featured on the food service websites. 

READ MORE: Swirly Joe's is set to become Beef and Bird restaurant

 

Mr Ahmed said: "In the olden days people used to ring up individual takeaways but now it's easier to order on your phone.

"This does make it harder to establish yourself without Just Eats."

Although, the pandemic and global conflicts have led to rising costs of ingredients which have played a huge impact on trade.

Mr Ahmed said: "Two years ago, you could find anything and everything you wanted. But now it could take you up to a week to find the ingredients you need."

The new restaurant is set to open in the next six weeks and the restaurant owners are excited to share their new menu of breakfast pancakes, milkshakes and their staple naga wings with their customers.