LAFAYETTE, La. – Chris Meaux, founder and CEO of Waitr, the popular on-demand food delivery service, has been named a finalist for the 2019 Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the Gulf Coast area. The award, presented by Ernst & Young, LLP, recognizes entrepreneurs demonstrating excellence and extraordinary success in areas such as innovation, financial performance, risk and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Details were shared in a press release.
Meaux’s honor is even more significant as he’s just one of only three finalists from the state of Louisiana. Nominees were selected by a panel of independent judges. Award winners will be announced at a special gala event June 21 in Houston.
Meaux has overseen Waitr’s rapid growth in the restaurant delivery sector since the company’s launch four years ago. In the past year alone, Waitr went public after Tilman Fertitta’s Landcadia Holdings purchased the company. Since that time, Waitr completed the acquisition of Bite Squad, effectively doubling its size – now with over 1,000 employees nationwide.
Waitr grew revenue more than 200% in 2018. Along with Bite Squad, the combined companies partner with close to 20,000 restaurants in 600 cities throughout the United States. Waitr is exceptionally popular throughout Louisiana, serving the cities and surrounding areas of Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Shreveport, New Orleans, Alexandria, Monroe, Hammond, Houma and Thibodaux.
“Being nominated for such a prestigious award is significant all by itself. But this is even more special to me because it focuses on the area in which I’ve lived and worked my entire professional career,” Meaux said. “It’s also a tremendous testament to the Waitr team members, who strive for excellence each day. This wouldn’t have been possible without their efforts.”
Launched in 2015, Waitr is an on-demand restaurant platform designed to connect local restaurants to hungry consumers. Founded in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Waitr’s mission is to develop the local food culture for communities across the United States by expanding the reach of local restaurant menus. Available on the Web, on iPhone and Android devices, Waitr is the most convenient way to discover, order and eat great food from the best local restaurants.
