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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Waitr Inc. Develops Technology-Operations Hub In Lafayette, Louisiana

06/16/2016
An online and mobile software solution company, Waitr Inc. will develop a technology operations center in Lafayette, Louisiana. The company plans to hire 100 associates.

The company will retain 129 current full-time employees at its Lake Charles headquarters and at city team offices in markets where it operates. Additionally, Waitr will retain more than 300 delivery positions and create 100 new driver positions through the expansion, according to Louisiana Economic Development.

“Waitr is a prime example of the unique spirit of innovation that can be found in Louisiana,” Governor John Bel Edwards said. “The vision of the company’s leadership is proof that Louisiana startups have their eyes on the future. With its growth in Lake Charles and expansion into Lafayette, Waitr is bringing a further element of diversification to our state. From IBM to GE to CenturyLink and EA, Louisiana continues to demonstrate what a fertile area our state is for software technology – no matter what region of the state you choose for project growth and development.”

“Today marks a new chapter for Waitr, and we look forward to strengthening our operations in Louisiana as we make a significant investment in Lafayette,” said Waitr Founder/CEO Chris Meaux. “Having been advised that we should look outside of Louisiana to launch a technology venture, I am proud to say that we have proven that theory wrong. We haven’t had a shortage of software engineers. We haven’t had a shortage of talent. And I don’t think we will. We anticipate more successful recruiting efforts in a state that makes many tremendous resources available to small businesses, including the Economic Gardening Initiative and the Small and Emerging Business Development Program. These programs have proven essential to our success.”

The company utilized LED’s Small and Emerging Business Development Program for managerial and technical assistance training and peer-to-peer discussions to solve business challenges and identify best practices. LED’s Economic Gardening Initiative pointed Waitr on the path to new markets through intensive data research.

To secure the expansion project, the State of Louisiana offered Waitr the comprehensive workforce solutions of LED FastStart, the state workforce development program. In addition, Waitr is expected to utilize the state’s Digital Interactive Media and Software Development Incentive and the Angel Investor Tax Credit Program.

“True to our heritage, technology has become Lafayette’s single most-important diversification factor in the 21st century,” President/CEO Gregg Gothreaux of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority said. “Today’s announcement by Waitr adds to the positive momentum and growth in the tech sector over the past two years. Chris and the team at Waitr embody the entrepreneurial spirit of the region that was the impetus behind creating the Opportunity Machine. We look forward to working with Waitr as they become an integral part of the community.”

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