US: Philadelphia-based convenience delivery startup, goPuff, has partnered with Graduate Hotels, a new chain of boutique hotels based in major university towns.
GoPuff operates across the United States in 90 different cities, offering 30-minute delivery on some 2,500 convenience store items.
The business has recently signed a deal with Graduate Hotels, who will now offer guests a select late-night menu between 11pm-2am, consisting of 600 items available through goPuff.
“We are excited to provide a desirable alternative to room service for the guests at Graduate Hotels,” said goPuff vice president of business development, Daniel Folkman. “GoPuff is a saviour to travellers everywhere, with everything you need and crave delivered directly to you whenever you need them the most.”
GoPuff was launched in 2013 by cofounders Yakir Gola and Rafael Ilishayev, who at the time were undergraduates at Drexel University. Since then, the company has raised $8.25 million in venture funding according to Crunchbase, and employs more than 1,000 people worldwide.
Earlier this year, goPuff’s headquarters were relocated to the Finnigan’s Wake building in Philadelphia’s Northern Liberties neighbourhood. The company has promised to construct 10 new warehouse operations across Pennsylvania, eventually employing an additional 500 people.
Julie Sanders, chief marketing officer for Graduate Hotels, said: “GoPuff is a great partner for Graduate as we continue to pursue unique offerings for our guests. From students and visiting parents to returning alumni and locals enjoying a Graduate hotel as a place to study, meet or mingle, we now offer fast delivery of items they may need for any occasion, day or night.”
Graduate Hotels is a Chicago-based chain planning to open its first Pennsylvania location later this year in State College. It already operates 15 hotels in the United States, with plans to open a further 12 by late 2020.
