Local technology firm Waitr, a company that deploys online apps for convenient delivery of restaurant food to customers in over 500 cities across the nation, recently announced alongside Gov. John Bel Edwards that it will be expanding to downtown Lafayette.
Originally founded in Lake Charles in 2013, Waitr has been the poster child for home-grown tech success in Louisiana, something CEO and founder Chris Meaux attributes to the amazing working partnerships he’s been able to develop with local restaurants and businesses in the area, as well as the benefits and incentive packages the state offers for technology firms.
Discussions on the potential expansion began in August of 2018 between Waitr, Louisiana Economic Development (LED) and the Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA). To secure the project, the state offered a competitive incentive package, a higher education grant to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to secure a dedicated talent pipeline in partnership with the university’s school of computing and informatics as well as LED’s FastStart and Quality Jobs programs.
“Waitr has been a true South Louisiana success story,” said President and CEO Troy Wayman of One Acadiana. “From incubation, to proof of concept, to its incredible growth and expansion, Waitr is a testament to the strength of Acadiana’s tech sector and its world-class workforce. By supporting our tech entrepreneurs, we’re creating jobs, enabling business growth, and making our region a national and global leader in innovation. 1A is proud to see this company continue to grow and call South Louisiana home.”