Sam Mustafa: Acquisition of Savored Expands Groupon Offerings into Restaurant Industry

PHILADELPHIA, PA, October 24, 2012

For many consumers, eating at a choice restaurant can prove a difficult challenge, especially if the venue is packed. In today's times of economic fragility, consumers are less able to afford food offered at high-end restaurants, let alone have the ability to craftily make a reservation in advance. However, according to a recent article from The New York Times, Groupon's latest expansion may provide a way for customers to solve both problems at once. The article reveals that Groupon, a company known for providing a wide array of discounts to its users, has recently bought Savored, an Internet start-up that simplifies the reservation process. Sam Mustafa of the Charleston Hospitality Group is excited by this news and hopes that Groupon will continue to offer great services to its customers.

According to Sam Mustafa, Groupon has done a lot for local economies, especially in terms of boosting the hospitality industry. He notes that Groupon discounts have provided a way for restaurants and hotels to increase brand recognition, while also giving consumers new and affordable options regarding dining, travel and entertainment experiences. Although Groupon's latest venture with Savored is noted to compete with the popular reservation booking service, OpenTable, the company may provide a more appealing route for cash-strapped consumers.

The New York Times explains, "Unlike its more established competitor, OpenTable, Savored offers discounts for its customers. The business model is a bit like Hotwire.com's, in that Savored scans for openings at its partner restaurants and offers discounts--up to 40 percent, according to Groupon, though the company's own site describes the savings as 'uncapped'--to customers. The proposition is that both sides win: restaurants get patrons they otherwise wouldn't, and customers get both dining reservations and a discount."

Seeing a similar potential in the new development, Sam Mustafa concludes, "Here at the Charleston Hospitality Group, we are great fans of the Groupon business model. As they create new products and services, we are excited to evaluate them. Groupon has a unique advantage, to us as a concierge service as well, as it allows us to mine the Internet for new clients and value added propositions."

ABOUT:

Sam Mustafa founded the Charleston Hospitality Group in 2008 as a resource to provide residents and tourists with the best in food, nightlife, catering and transportation available in Charleston, South Carolina. As a resident, Sam Mustafa believes that Charleston offers a wide array of options in entertainment, activity and relaxation for tourists and citizens alike. In five years, Sam Mustafa has enabled the Charleston Hospitality Group to expand as a successful business that currently operates and manages five brands and eight companies. Through his group's work, Mustafa continues to help improve the local community and allow visitors to appreciate all that it has to offer.

Website: http://sammustafacharleston.net