Supported by PSYBT’s BT Scotland Young e-ntrepreneurs Awards scheme, Text Take Away provides takeaway customers with the service of ordering their meal via text message. The business was set up by Colin Nesbitt in February 2007 after receiving support from  the Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust.

The business is built around the website (www.texttakeaway.com), which runs the system.  Customers can use the website to view menus and find out exactly how the service works with an animated demo.  Each takeaway outlet is given a unique code which is used to identify them. This is used by the customer when placing an order. 

It’s a simple process for the customer, who will firstly have to register with Text Take Away by text message before being able to use the service. To place an order, the customer texts their food order to the Text Take Away short-code, along with the code of the takeaway shop they wish to order from. The customer is then sent a confirmation text. This information is then sent to the website and from there is sent to the takeaway outlet.  It is treated like any other delivery and the customer pays the delivery driver on delivery. Takeaway shops will be offered a free 4-week trial before taking out a membership with Text Take Away.