Monday, April 28, 2008

The Pitch

NextChoice eyes marketing, sales push for restaurant ordering software

NextChoice Inc.

Headquarters: Stratham, N.H.

Employees: 12

Founded: 2002

Web: www.nextchoice.com

Phone: 603-812-0330

The Pitch: Expand marketing and sales efforts with investment of $1M to $3M

PITCHING THE TECHNOLOGY

NextChoice has developed a self-service kiosk- and web-based ordering software for restaurants and grocery stores to use that is intended to reduce customer ordering times, improve order accuracy and increase staff efficiency. The software also recognizes customers on return visits, and customer data can be tracked for marketing and integrated into financial and inventory applications, according to the company.

PITCHING THE PEOPLE

Who is on the management team? Mark Arcidy, president, formerly of RCD Components Inc.; Dick Andersen, CIO, formerly of TotalView Technologies and HighStreet Networks; and Roger Dev, CTO, formerly of Nimesa, Opticom, and Cabletron.

Have executives been involved in a cashout prior to this venture? Andersen was involved in cashouts at HighStreet Networks and NetSilicon.

Who is on the board of advisers? Bill Shaheen, Dan Gabriel, Dave Chen, Arcidy and Dev.

PITCHING THE BUSINESS

How much investment is being sought? Next-Choice is looking to increase marketing and sales, which it expects to cost $1 million to $3 million.

What partnerships, collaborations or affiliations are already in place? NextChoice has partnerships with Micros Systems Inc. and POSitouch which provide point-of-sale systems, as well as with Fujitsu Ltd., Panasonic Corp. and IBM Corp., which provide the hardware for the kiosks.

List any federal or state grants, contracts or awards received: None.

What's the market size? NextChoice said the combined North American grocery and restaurant markets total $4.6 billion over the next three years.

Who are the likely competitors?

NextChoice said its competition is Kidzu and Emn8.

Is the company profitable? No.