It started, like all good things do, over a cup of coffee. Aditi Jalan and Pragun Khemka, both recent business graduates from the U.K., sat down to discuss developing an app that could significantly impact the way people indulged in food, movies or recreation. The idea was to work on something that would offer deals and discounts for restaurants, and branch out into more diverse avenues, such as wellness spas or karate classes. Additionally, it would also be based on the loyalty and rewards system. After months of working, Fizz was born.
“It was a concept that we saw existed in the U.K. but not here. As youngsters who have no income, going online and being able to access discounts means saving more. We wanted to bring this idea to the Indian audience,” says Aditi.
Fizz’s functioning is straightforward; download the app and sign up to receive discounts and rewards from restaurants, classes and other businesses across the city (students get the added bonus of extra privileges with a valid ID). Pragun and Aditi made sure to reach out to local businesses in the area, whose reputations have been long cemented in Chennai’s urban culture. “When we started, we went to different merchants with only the demo of the app and the promise of what we could offer them. In 60 days, we had 75 merchants who got on board, without even looking at the app, but who supported us anyway,” says Pragun.
“When we talk about ‘small’ businesses, they may not be on the scale of the big international chains, but they’re huge in Chennai, like, for example, Fruit Shop. They were being featured on our app with the added benefit of being able to offer a discount to customers,” adds Aditi.
Vendors are themselves able to edit and update new deals and offers on the app’s homepage, keeping intrigued customers coming. “It’s a win-win for everyone,” says Pragun, and adds, “After all, how does a business maintain its brand and value? Through customers who are loyal to them.”
The idea of a loyalty programme is working well for the team. Recently, a scoop of ice cream went for Rs. 9 at Baskin Robbins. “We were taken aback by how big the crowd was, and it was proof that this is working, ” says Aditi.
The Fizz team hopes that, through the app, they can create the idea of a ‘go-to’ place in the city. “We hope by showing people different businesses which can offer loyal customer privileges, they can identify a go-to place, be it a spa, classes, or restaurants.” The Chennai market is a tough nut to crack, but they’re confident that once they do it, the rest will be easy. “We’re trying to introduce something new, and we’ve been sustaining ourselves for 12 months now,” they sign off.
