franki, the app that connects consumers with local businesses through verified recommendations and video reviews, today announced the launch of Ask A Local. It revolutionizes the recommendation process – providing a concierge experience for anyone with the franki app who is looking for somewhere to go. Consumers can ask for restaurant or bar recommendations, and trusted locals can directly respond and share their experiences about the places they love. 

Ask A Local allows consumers to ask franki’s community of verified experience tastemakers - called franki Locals - for a recommendation based on type of restaurant or bar, location and occasion. franki Locals then get a push notification with the request and can give their recommendation in the form of a video experience of the business or share the business profile. When a reservation is booked through the recommendation that was shared, the franki Local will receive a reward. 

Ask A Local enables businesses to understand where their customers are coming from and what they’re interested in – growing their own knowledge of consumers and prospects with valuable first-party data.

franki Locals are a passionate community of verified and trusted creators, who share their experiences to encourage others in their own exploration. When franki Locals share their authentic experiences through video, it builds a foundation of trust with consumers, who get to see it for themselves, and grows long-lasting relationships between businesses and those consumers. In fact, 96% of customers prefer to learn about a brand through a short video, while 88% want to see more videos from brands in the future – this is particularly relevant for restaurants, where videos of the food and ambiance can entice potential customers to visit. 

“This launch accelerates restaurant’s access to first-party customer data – letting restaurants see where their customers are coming from and what they’re looking for,” said Eugene Varricchio, CEO of franki. “These insights can be layered in to enhance the dining experience and build trust that can turn first-time diners into regulars. Leveraging first-party data is the future for the restaurant industry and first movers will be able to better serve guests and cater to their needs.”