With the abundance of Yelp - and other - reviews on the Internet, it can take a lot of time and research to figure out where to grab Sunday brunch or drinks with friends.
A new app created by Milwaukeeans Ben Bourgeois and Brian Kopp, aims to make this dining decision-making process easier. Called “MealSteals,” the app points users to local restaurants and bars based on their current discount offerings.
"The idea came from us wanting to completely streamline finding something to do or eat right this very second," says Kopp.
Similar to Uber and Yelp's map feature, the MealSteals app displays restaurants and bars surrounding the user's location that currently have a deal or discount special happening. If a business chooses to participate in the app, the business is in charge of posting the deals, along with its expiration date.
With fewer people turning to Facebook and Twitter for dining information, MealSteals is a way for businesses to reach their customers.
"It [MealSteals] can be great for the business and it's great for the users too, it keeps them engaged," Bourgeois says. "One of the reasons that we built it [MealSteals] out in the way that we did with real time is to solve the problem of indecisive users. [MealSteals] arranges your choices for you, and you can make a much better decision that way."
Since its development, MealSteals has established a loyal user base in Milwaukee, which even includes a group of firefighters. "We really are catering to the people who don't like to plan, who live in the now," says Kopp.
