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We chatted with Sprintlaw client and co-founder of Bopple, Angus McLachlan, about his business journey, the role of technology in the hospitality industry, and the legal services they’ve utilised.
The Birth of Bopple
Picture this: You’re sitting in a bustling London bar and you notice two tables in a heated debate over who gets to pay first. The attendant is visibly struggling to manage the situation, and it becomes glaringly evident how much the hospitality industry has been neglected when it comes to innovation.
This is the scene that inspired the inception of Bopple. Co-founder Angus McLachlan saw firsthand how chaotic bar transactions could get. Determined to find a solution, he started observing more bars, timing transactions, and taking notes on napkins.
As Angus delved deeper into the issues plaguing the hospitality sector, he noticed a pattern of inefficiency and frustration. Customers often had to wait excessively long to pay, which not only impacted their experience but also the business’s ability to serve more customers quickly. This realisation fueled Angus’s desire to create a streamlined solution that could benefit both customers and business owners.
Years later, Angus, Jon Cullen, and Tim Dart came together to start Bopple. An online ordering and payment platform specifically for the hospitality sector, Bopple has been revolutionising the industry ever since. Their mission was to bring the convenience and efficiency seen in other industries to the hospitality world, ensuring smooth operations and better customer experiences.
A “Shopify for Hospitality”
By 2019, many industries had advanced through technological innovation, but the hospitality sector lagged behind. Businesses were stuck in a strictly transactional relationship with their customers, knowing only what a customer ordered and how much they paid. There was little to no data on customer preferences, repeat behaviours, or ways to enhance the customer experience.
Bopple was launched to change that. The platform was designed as a marketplace mobile ordering app – a “Shopify for cafes and restaurants.” It aimed to empower ambitious hospitality owners to enhance their customer experience using the platform. Bopple allowed businesses to create a personalised and branded online presence where customers could browse menus, place orders, and make payments seamlessly.
The Bopple platform was designed to help ambitious owners do what they do most — serve others. In building a significant, meaningful, and lasting business, they were also helping business owners worldwide do the same.
The idea worked, and upon launching, Bopple saw steady growth. Hospitality businesses quickly learned of the value Bopple was able to provide for them. Without any lock-in contracts, Bopple served over 700 clients in its first year. This rapid adoption was a testament to the platform’s effectiveness and the hospitality industry’s need for such innovation. However, this surge in clients presented new challenges for the co-founders, who had to ensure the platform could scale efficiently while maintaining high service standards.
The Pandemic & Bopple
In Bopple’s second year, the pandemic hit, increasing the need for tech solutions as businesses faced unprecedented challenges. The hospitality industry, in particular, was hard-hit, with many establishments forced to close their doors or drastically alter their operations to comply with health guidelines. Unsurprisingly, Bopple experienced exceptional growth during this period.
“In 2020, we had businesses signing up and launching every two minutes on the platform,” Angus recalls.
This surge was driven by the need for contactless solutions and the ability to offer pick-up and delivery services, which became vital for survival during lockdowns.
The influx of new clients brought new challenges. Bopple quickly adapted to manage the surge by implementing several key strategies:
- Educating and Supporting Businesses: Bopple provided necessary training and resources to help clients use the platform effectively. This included webinars, tutorials, and a dedicated support team to assist with any issues.
- Transitioning to Online Services: Bopple assisted businesses in shifting their operations online, enabling them to continue serving their customers despite physical restrictions. This transition was crucial for many businesses that had never before considered online ordering.
- Hiring More Staff: To handle the increased responsibilities and provide better support, Bopple expanded their team. This included hiring customer support representatives, technical staff to enhance the platform, and account managers to assist new clients.
These steps allowed Bopple to meet growing demand and support the hospitality sector during tough times. The company’s ability to adapt quickly and provide valuable solutions during the pandemic solidified its reputation as a crucial player in the industry.
Bopple’s Growing Legal Needs
Company growth means expanding into new territories, requiring updated processes to cover the business and new initiatives. In the hectic buzz of running a business, finding time for legal matters is tough. Bopple’s owners, after hearing about Sprintlaw from another business owner, decided to try Sprintlaw’s online services.
For Angus, seeking early assistance was crucial to ensure Bopple remained protected as they grew.
“When we first came to Sprintlaw, it was about getting the essentials in place to ensure that as we grew, we had things ready and prepared.”
Bopple was proactive in their approach, identifying gaps and seeking advice before moving ahead with new initiatives.
Sprintlaw assisted Bopple with various legal needs, from drafting contracts to ensuring compliance with new regulations as they expanded. This proactive approach helped Bopple avoid potential legal pitfalls and allowed them to focus on growth and innovation. By integrating legal advice into their business strategy, Bopple ensured that every new step they took was legally sound and aligned with their long-term goals.
Key Takeaways from Bopple’s Success Story
- Adaptability: Bopple adjusted to market changes and customer needs while staying true to its vision. Their ability to pivot quickly during the pandemic and provide valuable solutions helped them thrive in challenging times.
- Proactive Legal Approach: The co-founders integrated legal advice into their business process, ensuring their innovations were feasible and legally sound. This proactive approach helped them avoid potential legal issues and focus on growth.
- Support and Education: Bopple focused on educating and supporting businesses to transition to online services, and expanded their team to handle increased responsibilities. Providing resources and training to their clients helped ensure successful adoption of the platform.
- Real-Life Inspiration: Bopple was inspired by a real-life problem observed in a London bar, leading to the development of an online ordering and payment platform for the hospitality sector. This real-world connection helped them create a solution that truly addressed the needs of their target market.
About Bopple
Bopple empowers ambitious hospitality owners to scale ordering and delivery, make data-driven business decisions, and personalise the customer experience.
They’re building the future of hospitality — an all-in-one ordering, payments and growth platform that helps brands and businesses start, run, and grow. With Bopple, merchants can build and customise an online store to engage, interact and transact with customers across multiple channels, including web, mobile and brick-and-mortar locations.
About Sprintlaw
Sprintlaw is a new type of law firm that operates completely online. Our expert lawyers make legal services affordable and accessible for business owners. We’re Australia’s fastest growing law firm, having helped over 80,000 Australian small businesses and startups.
To ensure your business is protected as it grows, it’s important to seek expert legal advice. Feel free to contact us at 1800 730 617 or team@sprintlaw.com.au for a free, no-obligation consultation.
