Business & Tech

Local Resident Uses MBA to Deliver Restaurant Food to Homes, Businesses

Altenbach opens GoWaiter of Alpharetta to serve the Alpharetta-Milton area.

Stephen Altenbach took the MBA he earned from the University of Mississippi this past year and already is making the most of his education, opening GoWaiter of Alpharetta.

The budding entrepreneur wanted to return to his home state and start a business that would thrive in this economy. He chose GoWaiter, which delivers restaurant food "for the cost of a few soft drinks."

Milton Mayor Joe Lockwood offered his help to the new business, which brought new jobs to the city.

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"We've got the hotel, we've got the businesses and we've got the residential areas," Altenbach said, explaining why the Alpharetta-Milton area was chosen. "It's the right income level. We've got a lot of restaurants, people are ready for it. We've got other locations in Atlanta and Gwinnett and we want to provide the same great service."

Restaurants are provided marketing and delivery services. Restaurants that don't have or want their own delivery service, perhaps because of insurance or other liability issues, GoWaiter takes that from them. The restaurants are promoted via social media and other online methods.

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Delivery is to Milton, Alpharetta, Johns Creek and Roswell ZIP Codes, including 30004, 30005, 30009, 30022, 30075 and 30076. Altenbach said the charge for food is the same as what customers see on restaurant menus, plus a delivery fee.

Hours of operation are:

Monday-Friday:   10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Saturday:           11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Sunday:              Noon-9:30 p.m.

Deliveries start at $4.99 if you make your order online–add a dollar if you use the phone (404-348-4477). The minimum order is $15, unless you are a hotel guest, in which case it drops to $12.50.

Altenbach said customers will receive their meals within 45-60 minutes of making an order, which can be done online. Deliveries can be made to a business or home address. Catering drop-offs can be made as well.

GoWaiter is the creation of its president Mike Handy. More than 15 GoWaiter franchise locations have opened in the past 18 months, in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Colorado, Connecticut and Tennessee. By year end, the company expects to have 25 launched. GoWaiter Alpharetta is the fifth location in Georgia; others include GoWaiter of Atlanta-Peachtree/Dunwoody, GoWaiter of Gwinnett County, GoWaiter of Smyrna/Vinings and GoWaiter of Savannah.  GoWaiter of Valdosta will launch in October.

“In addition to home delivery, we also provide business meeting lunch and dinner service,” said Altenbach. “I have had one customer ask about setting up nightly service for a sick friend and another interested in doing the same for a new mom so that she doesn’t have to worry about cooking for her family.”

GoWaiter of Alpharetta hired nine people initially as drivers and operations personnel.  Restaurant delivery began today, Aug. 18.

To view menu choices, visit GoWaiter.com. Orders can be placed online or by calling 404-348-4477.

Alpharetta restaurants currently serve by GoWaiter include:

  • Chili’s
  • On the Border
  • Twisted Taco
  • Moe’s Southwest Grill
  • Artuzzi’s Italian Kitchen
  • Mambo Jambo Café
  • Sarku Japan
  • Gyro King
  • Hudson Grille
  • Bai Wei
  • The Fishook Grille
  • BB’s Bagels
  • Bombay Xpress
  • Slopes BBQ
  • Your Pie Pizza


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