Buffet’s App Fights Loneliness by Connecting People Offline

Combating Loneliness: Buffet App Connects People and Places

The Loneliness Epidemic

Loneliness has become a widespread issue in recent years, affecting a significant portion of the U.S. adult population. According to a 2023 report from the U.S. Surgeon General, approximately 50% of American adults experienced feelings of loneliness even before the COVID-19 pandemic. The report highlights the potential physical consequences of loneliness and isolation, including a 29% higher risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke.

Introducing Buffet: A Solution to Loneliness

Buffet, a new app, aims to tackle the loneliness epidemic by connecting users with new people and places to meet up. The app combines the functionality of dating apps like Tinder with the convenience of restaurant reservation platforms like OpenTable. By removing the obstacles and hassles associated with meeting new people and finding a suitable location to hang out, Buffet strives to facilitate connections between individuals who share similar interests, whether they are seeking friendship, romance, or a workout partner.

Availability and Expansion Plans

Currently, Buffet is available in Los Angeles, with plans to expand to other cities later this year, starting with New York City.

The Founders’ Journey

Buffet was founded by CEO Rich Hacking and COO Sean Emery, who previously worked as financial analysts. The idea for the app came to them during a business trip to Dubai. Hacking shared with The Zero Byte:

“We started, throwing this idea around, and thought, hey, there’s something there. We saw the loneliness epidemic and saw that the market was in need of something new. The massive incumbents have lacked innovation in the last decade. There was an obvious key opportunity for disruption. So we put one foot in front of the other and stared building Buffet.”

How Buffet Works

To get started with Buffet, users input five of their interests, such as motorcycles, horseback riding, or reading. The app then presents a series of five questions to gain insights into the user’s personality and preferences for places and people.

Image Credits: Buffet

Buffet’s algorithm matches users based on their responses. If interested, users can send an invite to their match, and the pair can communicate through the app to arrange a meeting time and date. The app encourages users to prioritize in-person interactions and move beyond digital communication.

If the app-suggested meeting place doesn’t suit the users’ preferences, they can choose from a list of alternative locations. If users are not interested in their match, they can refresh and be matched with someone else.

Target Demographic and Pricing

Buffet primarily targets individuals most affected by the loneliness epidemic: 18- to 25-year-olds and young professionals in their late 20s to early 30s. Hacking believes that if Buffet can appeal to the average 25-year-old female professional, it can attract a wide range of users.

The app will remain free to use for the foreseeable future, as the company aims to build trust and attract users who may be frustrated with paywalls on other platforms.

Business Model and Future Plans

Buffet’s business model will rely on advertising. The company plans to develop an in-app community forum where local businesses can advertise directly to users and promote special offers, such as happy hours and discounts.

Currently, Buffet is only available on iOS, but the company intends to launch an Android app in the future.