After two years of brainstorming and planning, Wayfast Delivery started serving Farmville on Feb. 14, according to Wayfast Delivery owner Jacob Jamerson. The business initially was designed to deliver groceries to homes from the stores. After some research on the delivery service industry, Jamerson and his friend Brandon Toney decided to focus more on restaurant delivery while still offering grocery delivery. Jamerson and Toney grew up in Farmville so their goal was to start a business they felt the community needed.
According to Jamerson, deliveries can be made from The Fishin’ Pig, Bojangles’ and La Parota Grill. Wayfast is partnered with Third Street Brewing Company allowing customers to order food to the brewery from local restaurants. The business is looking to grow their list of restaurants they deliver from and is in the process of talking to Huddle House, Merk’s Place and Miller’s Country Store.
“We have signed with the two restaurants going in with the Weyanoke but they don’t open until May… and that includes a pizzeria,” said Jamerson.
Jamerson said the business is interested in working with KJ Hibachi, Shogun Steakhouse and Hong Kong Kitchen in the future.
According to Jamerson, the business averages about 12 orders a day. Currently, Wayfast is delivering into surrounding counties but plans to settle at an 8-10 mile range. The hours are Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
“Once we get fully staffed and a couple more restaurants on board, we’re going to start opening from 10 (a.m.) to 10 (p.m.) Monday through Thursday and Friday and Saturday until 1 a.m.,” said Jamerson.
Customers can order with Wayfast either online at wayfastdelivery.com or by calling the office at (434) 392-3660. Once the order is placed it is sent to the restaurant and the meal is prepared. There is a $15 minimum for each order. Once the food is ready, the Wayfast employees pick up the food from the restaurant and deliver it to the customer’s location. There is a 15 percent delivery fee paid either with cash or card to the Wayfast employee, explained Jamerson.
The delivery fee does not include the tip and the employees work mainly for tips. The average delivery time is under 60 minutes, according to the website.
Wayfast has about 12 employees, some being Longwood students. The staff will grow as the company expands and begins to receive more orders, according to Jamerson.
Toney, Wayfast’s web designer, is developing an app aimed to be done in April, making the ordering process easier.
Jamerson said he hopes for Wayfast to eventually deliver alcohol. The customer would have to enter their license information in on the website and verify their age and name. The same customer would have to be present upon delivery without anyone under the age of 21 present.
According to Jamerson, Wayfast is also looking into using Lancer Cash for payment.
“The grocery delivery service is still functional.. we still offer that service. We’re not pushing it too much right now but Walmart is hoping to do ‘shop and go’ where you order online and they shop for you. Then we would pick it up from there,” said Jamerson.
Jamerson said Wayfast plans to advertise on campus and hand out Bojangles’ coupons to students.
Owner, Jacob Jamerson (left) and an employee, Asim Brooks (right) standing in front of the Wayfast logo located in the company’s office.
