Wannabe ‘takeaway king’ signs exclusive merchandising deal with Pepsi

AN Ilkley-based entrepreneur is hoping to become the UK’s takeaway king as the nation turns to fast food rather than eating out.

Mark Hall established www.118menu.com last year as a way of helping people find local takeaways.

The site, which has around 15,000 registered users and hundreds of restaurants and takeways listed, also provides outlets with a range of free branded goodies such as T-shirts, pizza boxes, carrier bags key rings and even condoms.

The number of give aways and promotions is now set to increase following the signing of an exclusive partnership agreement between 118menu.com and soft drink brand Pepsi.

“The link with Pepsi is great news and really puts us on the map,” said Mr Hall, who founded his busienss after an unsuccessful late night hunt for a takeaway menu.

“The majority of our focus so far has been London and West Yorkshire but we are widening our reach with a workforce that I predict will rise from five today to 15 by the end of 2009.”

He added that as times get tough more and more people will turn to inexpensive comfort food.

“We are already seeing a big rise in people ordering pizza, Indian and Chinese,” said Mr Hill.

However, the former chef is keen to address the issue of healthy eating despite the focus of his Leeds-based business.

“We are seeing more and more take aways adopting a healthy outlook and we will actively encourage that but there’s nothing wrong with the odd pizza, curry or burger delivered direct to your door.”

There’s also a charitable element to the entrepreneur’s business model with 5% of all 118menu.com’s profits going to charity.

Registered users also have the optoin of paying a small supplement to double the offering.