A Scottish company which allows people to order food via their mobile phone has secured £525,000 of investment.
QikServe, based at the Midlothian Innovation Centre in Roslin, said existing backers Equity Gap and the Scottish Investment Bank were involved in the latest funding round with Par Equity a new investor.
The QikServe apps provide a mobile ordering and payment option for a number of hospitality sectors including restaurants, hotel room service, fast food, stadium catering and events. Typically customers would scan a QR code at their table or seat which would then bring up a menu and let them choose what they want.
QikServe, which receives a commission fee on each transaction, has previously provided its services to football clubs, including Hearts and Portsmouth, to allow fans to order food while sitting in their seats. Others customers include Edinburgh Airport, Southampton Airport and pub group TCG.
Earlier this year QikServe announced partnerships with PayPal and hospitality and retail IT provider MICROS.
Integration with point of sale (POS) systems is one barrier to more widespread adoption of mobile ordering services, while the investment needed for additional hardware, such as mobile printers and tablets, is another hurdle.
QikServe's latest funding will be used to improve its processes and systems, invest in further research and development of its technology and market its products to more customers.
Ronnie Forbes, chief executive, said he was delighted to have secured the money.
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