PickMe Food empowers local restaurateurs, shares success story of Kandy restaurateur

Mohamed Shaheed Mohamed Azad, proprietor of Kandy-based Burgers vs. Shawarma

Sri Lanka’s home-cooked food delivery platform PickMe Food has been immensely successful in creating a fast and hassle-free order and delivery system between restaurants and patrons in Colombo and its suburbs, Maharagama, Kottawa, Homagama, Negombo, and Central Kandy.

A flagship venture of PickMe, the Sri Lankan technology-driven mobility solutions provider, PickMe Food provides the convenience of doorstep food delivery to its ever-growing customer base, as well as empowering and supporting the growth of local restaurants and food-based businesses that have signed up with the platform.

Reflecting on how far PickMe Food has been a facilitator of business with its ground-breaking platform and vast user base, Mohamed Shaheed Mohamed Azad, a seasoned restaurateur and proprietor of ‘Burgers vs. Shawarma’, a well-known restaurant in the city of Kandy, shares how his business has become the success story that it is today.

Azad entered the food business at a very young age, and worked for Milano Restaurant Nuwara Eliya and Foodland’s Kandy for a long time. He takes inspiration from his father, who used to work in a restaurant when Azad was growing up, and countless financial constraints in his youth made him see the golden opportunity to make money in the food industry.

With years of practice and experience, Azad entered the business with his good culinary skills and passion for serving customers with great food. His commitment to preparing and serving perfect delicacies got him the opportunity to work abroad, where he worked for six and a half years in countries such as Saudi Arabia (at Chillies), United Kingdom (at Amal Shawarma), and Singapore. His goal was to save money, come back to Sri Lanka, and build a house for his family.

Upon his return to Sri Lanka, Azad set off his business at home in Kandy. He eventually rented out a small space near his house to open a restaurant, and mainly was open for business at night. After three years of declining business, he rented out the current shop nearby as well, and was running the business with limited resources. But then, PickMe Food came along.

Since teaming up with PickMe Food, Azad has been able to grow his business and start making profits within a short span of time. He was able to hire additional resources and expand his menu, and at the same time increase the restaurant’s opening hours. His customers are able to enjoy his food at any time with timely delivery, with the utmost freshness and quality.

“Ever since I got on board the PickMe Food platform, my life changed completely for the better. It only took me three months since joining the platform to settle all my debts, and easily pay my shop’s rent. 

This is really like a godsend, thanks to the PickMe platform, I’m able to push over 200 orders a day, and make enough money to provide my children with a sound education, as well as take care of my extended family,” said Azad, adding that the PickMe Food platform has efficiently utilised the potential of food delivery in the surrounding suburbs, hence making it easy for customers at a distance to receive freshly prepared food in a very short span of time.

Since PickMe Food delivers his food to Katugastota, Kundasale and Pilimathalawa, these regions being at least 7km from the restaurant location, Azad was able to create a much bigger customer base. He actively promotes PickMe Food to his customers as well.

Azad plans to introduce burgers, fresh juices, and desserts to his menu very soon. Kandy’s customer reaction to ‘Burgers vs. Shawarma’ has been extremely positive. The common feedback is that the portion served is very filling and the price is very reasonable.

“The success I have faced over the recent past, along with the fast-paced growth and recognition that the PickMe Food platform offers, has enabled me to open a second outlet very soon. I am eternally grateful for what PickMe Food has done for me, my business and my family,” he added.

Azad recommends PickMe Food to all his colleagues - be it a cloud kitchen, restaurant, or even fine dining. He also states that his business success is mostly because of him maintaining his quality of food, and due to PickMe Food’s timely delivery and good service.

‘Burgers vs. Shawarma’ was one of PickMe Food’s first merchants to onboard the platform in when it was launched in Kandy. Its signature dishes are Crispy Chicken Submarine, Kebab Shawarmas, Biryani, and Kottu.

Azad’s story is an inspiration to many local up-and-coming restaurateurs and even to home cooks struggling to find a marketplace for their quality food. Working with a trusted partner like PickMe Food ensures that the business will be stable and secure, as not only is the platform a delivery solutions provider, but also assists merchants with advertising and promotional support, data for better decision-making, and timely advice and face-to-face client servicing.