‘A busy but amazing three months’ – Sunderland Eats founder reveals success as more than 100 businesses join takeaway app

Sunderland Eats founder Jonathan Jopling has revealed how the first three months of the new food delivery app have gone.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The offshore worker, from Fulwell, started the process with his business partners to create the app last year – with it going live to members of the public on April 12.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Jonathan moved to Sunderland from Peterlee around 12 years ago and and has worked in the offshore industry for a decade.

Jonathan Jopling (left) with Sunderland Eats business partners Philip Coombe (middle) and Michael Hodgson (right).Jonathan Jopling (left) with Sunderland Eats business partners Philip Coombe (middle) and Michael Hodgson (right).
Jonathan Jopling (left) with Sunderland Eats business partners Philip Coombe (middle) and Michael Hodgson (right).

He has told the Echo how the first three months have gone and revealed how successful it has been so far.

The 31-year-old said: “The app launched on April 12 and it has been a very busy but amazing three months, it has definitely gone better than I expected.

"We’ve now got over 100 businesses on the app and now people are actually contacting us wanting to get involved, I think at the moment we are adding around five new businesses a week.

Read More
Eight locations across the North East where Vera has been filming for the 11th s...
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"When we started, I thought we’d be hounding people to join but it is actually the opposite and we’re getting loads of great feedback from those businesses who have joined us.”

Competing with the likes of JustEat, Uber Eats and Deliveroo, the app has managed to secure its own exclusives such as Borneo Bistro on Hylton Road, Kets N Pop in Roker and BURGeR on Frederick Street.

Sunderland Eats has even teamed up with local competitive eater ‘Kyle v Food’to host challenges and has had the opportunity to give back to local causes.

Jonathan added: “The success so far has meant that we have been able to sponsor Farringdon Detached Football Club, provide meals for various care homes and even donate to Sunderland Foodbank.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"It’s great that we’ve now got some exclusive businesses on our app, obviously JustEat is still dominant but I feel like we are starting to make an impact.

"Some businesses are even telling us that they are now switching off JustEat and using us more.”

You can find out more on by visiting the Sunderland Eats Facebook page or Instagram and download the app by clicking here.

Support your Echo and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to all of our news and sport, see fewer ads, experience faster load times, test your brain with daily puzzles and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

The Sunderland Echo has been on Wearside since 1873, and your support means we can continue telling your stories for generations to come.