HOW THE SOLO TAKEAWAY OWNER
CAN BEAT THE BIG BOYS
By Neil Murphy — The Takeaway Teacher
The Big Idea
A solo takeaway owner can now use AI, automation and a high-performing website to compete with much larger businesses — without large teams or expensive agency fees.
The goal is to reduce repetitive work, protect margins, improve follow-up and create more direct customer relationships.
Part One
The Owner's Checklist
Checklist 01
Stop Losing Orders
Make online ordering simple and mobile-friendly. Reduce dependence on manual phone handling.
- Capture missed calls and follow up quickly.
- Track missed calls, abandoned orders and lost revenue.
Phone ordering remains important in the UK takeaway market, with one industry source reporting that 39% of customers ordered by phone.
Checklist 02
Automate Customer Data
Capture customer information lawfully and automatically. Avoid copying details between systems.
- Tag customers as new, regular, inactive, birthday or catering prospects.
- Make sure consent and data protection are handled correctly.
Checklist 03
Protect Your Margins
Promote direct ordering through your website, packaging and social media. Build your own customer database.
- Use delivery platforms for discovery, but encourage repeat direct orders.
- Measure profit, not just sales.
Delivery platforms can charge substantial commissions, making direct ordering an important margin-protection strategy.
Checklist 04
Use AI for Marketing
Use AI to create marketing faster — while the owner retains final approval:
- Flyers and promotional campaigns.
- Social-media posts and emails.
- Birthday and loyalty messages.
- Catering campaigns.
- Podcast scripts and content ideas.
- Follow-up messages for customers and leads.
Checklist 05
Automate Follow-Up
Set triggers for the moments that matter most:
- New customers.
- Abandoned orders.
- Lapsed customers.
- Birthday campaigns.
- Review requests.
- Catering enquiries.
- Quiet trading periods.
Automating reminders, re-engagement and follow-up can save time while supporting retention and revenue.
Checklist 06
Build a Better Website
The website should be more than a digital menu. It should:
- Generate direct orders.
- Promote profitable products.
- Capture customer enquiries.
- Support catering sales.
- Explain birthday and loyalty offers.
- Provide useful content.
- Encourage repeat purchases.
This is the end of slow, boring, look-alike websites that simply display a menu.
Part Two
Weekly Team Checklist
Core Message
The solo owner no longer needs
the biggest team or the largest budget.
With AI, automation and the right website, a focused owner can move faster, communicate more personally and protect more margin than a much larger competitor.
Move Faster
Automate repetitive work and follow-up.
Communicate Personally
Reach the right customer at the right moment.
Protect Margin
Direct orders beat platform commissions.
About the Author
Meet Neil Murphy
Neil Murphy
The Takeaway Teacher
Director, DeckchairAI
Neil Murphy is a seasoned sales expert, trainer, and entrepreneur with 30+ years experience helping businesses thrive in competitive, cut-throat markets.
He has coached hundreds of salespeople and mentored numerous business owners in sales, marketing, negotiation, business presentations, and new technology.
Neil is an in-demand recruiter and headhunter, respected and known for building high-performing sales teams. He’s also skilled in franchising ventures as well as raising venture capital to scale businesses.
His client portfolio includes Mercedes-Benz, Ralph Lauren, Royal Insurance, Western Provident Association, and hundreds of hospitality venues and restaurants across the UK.
His ability to adapt and innovate with new trends and technology is demonstrated by applying AI in all aspects of business — to his own ventures and other businesses — to drive growth, sales and efficiency.
He has also embraced the global power of podcasts, both as an educational and learning tool, and as an expert podcast interviewer himself.
Neil is a published author with numerous books available on Amazon. His newest publication — Daytime Takeaway Profits — draws on decades of expertise to help takeaway and catering businesses maximize their daytime sales and better expand their market reach.
When not advising businesses or writing, Neil enjoys football, UFC and spending quality time with his family.
Start Competing Like the Big Boys
Talk to Neil about AI, automation and a website that works for a solo owner.
07831 571890 · neil@deckchairai.com
DeckchairAI
© 2026 DeckchairAI · Andover, UK · neil@deckchairai.com