Combating Loneliness: Buffet App Connects People and Places
The Loneliness Epidemic
Loneliness has become a pervasive issue in recent years, affecting a significant portion of the U.S. adult population. A 2023 report from the U.S. surgeon general reveals that approximately 50% of American adults experienced feelings of loneliness even before the COVID-19 pandemic. This alarming trend can lead to serious health consequences, such as an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
Introducing Buffet: A Solution to Loneliness
Buffet, a new app, aims to tackle the loneliness epidemic by facilitating connections between individuals and helping them find suitable places to meet. The app combines the functionality of dating apps like Tinder with the convenience of restaurant reservation platforms like OpenTable. Buffet removes the obstacles and hassles associated with meeting new people and finding a place to hang out, whether users are seeking friendship, romance, or a workout partner.
From Dubai to Los Angeles: The Birth of Buffet
Buffet is the brainchild of CEO Rich Hacking and COO Sean Emery, former financial analysts who conceived the idea during a business trip to Dubai. Recognizing the need for innovation in the face of the loneliness epidemic, they set out to create a disruptive solution. The app is currently available in Los Angeles, with plans to expand to other cities, starting with New York City, later this year.
Personalized Matching and Seamless Meetups
To get started, users input five of their interests and answer a series of questions that help the app understand their personality and preferences. Buffet’s algorithm then matches users based on this information. If interested, matched users can send an invite and communicate via the app to arrange a meeting time and date. The app encourages in-person interactions, going beyond digital communication.
Image Credits: Buffet
If the suggested meeting place isn’t suitable, users can choose from a list of alternative locations. If the match itself isn’t a good fit, users can refresh and be matched with someone else.
Target Demographic and Business Model
Buffet’s primary target audience is 18- to 25-year-olds, who have been most affected by the loneliness epidemic. The app also aims to attract young professionals in their late 20s to early 30s. Hacking believes that if Buffet can win over the average 25-year-old female professional, it can appeal to a wide range of users.
“The app will be free to use for the foreseeable future,” Hacking said. “We want to win over users. We want to build trust and right now, when you read the market, people are frustrated with all of the paywalls.”
Buffet’s business model will rely on advertising, with plans to create an in-app community forum where local businesses can promote discounts and happy hours directly to users.
Availability and Future Plans
Currently, Buffet is only available on iOS, but the company intends to launch an Android app in the future.
2 Comments
Sounds promising, but will people actually ditch their screens for it?
Buffet’s App, huh? Maybe now we can actually have conversations that don’t start with “Sorry, my Wi-Fi is bad.”