MILWAUKEE — While it seems many businesses are closing up shop temporarily or slowing down, delivery services are getting swamped with work.
"We've started to see an increase in business over the last 24 hours. A serious increase in business," Baker Al-Qudsi, the CEO of MiButler, said.
MiButler is a 5-year-old Milwaukee-based startup. It's a delivery service that will bring you groceries, dinners, toiletries, and even your prescription pills. Rather than an app, MiButler is a highly developed chatbot. Text the MiButler number, (262) 671-4756, what you want, and it will make the order for you. Then a delivery driver will bring your purshase to you.
"We are also a courier service," he said.
Local delivery companies like @MiButlerllc are swamped picking up orders from restaurants and dropping off groceries. pic.twitter.com/Sa89Ul0hsa
— James Groh (@JamesGroh_) March 18, 2020
While all restaurants in Milwaukee County are only allowed to offer takeout and delivery options, MiButler fills a big void in the service industry gap. They are one of the companies connecting customers with restaurants.
"We have been busy. We have been pulling some really long hours," Al-Qudsi said.
This doesn't only support the local economy by giving restaurants an avenue to do business in, it's also an essential service for people with immunocompromised and can't go to packed stores.
"We have a shortlist of people asking us to text them once certain stores have been replenished with soaps, disinfecting wipes, toilet paper."
Interestingly enough, Al-Qudsi said there had been a sharp increase in the past few days of people who are staying in hotels using the app.
"We've noticed an increase over the last 24 to 48 hours of people that are out of town, and it seems like they are going to be a here for a little bit longer than expected."
"Our biggest goal is to be able to help local businesses."