Not all businesses can boast that their mission fills an essential need and isn’t just making a profit, but one fledgling organization in Oxford, Mississippi, can claim just that.
In light of COVID-19, folks have wanted—dare I say, needed—food delivered to their home. They have needed this safely, distantly, and suddenly unlike any resource other than medical needs and toilet paper, and Fetcht Delivery has answered that call. This need hasn’t just been for the elderly and immunity compromised, but the average Joe Schmo like yourself. And even as much, the restaurants that were able to stay open in our town because Fetcht delivered their food to your doorstep.
Specializing in food delivery services, Fetcht was started two years ago by Kent Breckenridge and his son deYampert Garner II. Their organization has rapidly grown, and as of Sunday when I spoke with him, they boast over 85 restaurants just in Oxford, with an even higher count when you consider the restaurants in Batesville. Fetcht employs over 50 drivers, including taking in service staff who lost their jobs due to the pandemic, one of whom is now one of their valued dispatchers.
“She came on as a driver,” says Breckendridge. “We’ve trained her to help with dispatch. We took her on during the COVID[-19 pandemic] and she’s just been outstanding.”
Breckenridge noted the timing for adding an additional person to the dispatch was well suited for them, as previously only he, his wife Camille, and his son worked on dispatch, alternating who took on duty of the customer service main line cell phone.
They may not have invented the wheel, when it comes to restaurant food delivery service, but they are focusing on making themselves essential for the long run. They have carefully differentiated themselves from competitors in town—Door Dash, Bite Squad, Uber Eats—with their attention to detail and customer service, for both the end customer who orders the food and the restaurant staff and owners they interact with.
“We are local,” says Breckenridge. “There is somebody here that actually answers the phone. It’s one of us you’ll get.”
And part of that personal touch has been one of the greatest and most comforting services Fetcht has had the ability to provide during the recent crisis. Because they’re small, family-operated, and local, adjusting to local changes and customer preferences was an easier shift.
“One of the first things we did was we rolled out with a no-contact delivery option,” says Breckenridge.
Their no-contact option is simple and genius. They deliver the order to your doorstop or preferred location, notify that they are there, and watch from a distance until the customer receives their food. It has been especially comforting to the older groups of Oxford citizens who use the service regularly.
“We have older folks that will call us. We even know them by name. They want to use us, but they don’t do tech. Some of them call several times a week, we take care of them. And we let them know who their driver is.”
And that personal touch has meant a lot during the stay-at-home orders from our mayor and governor with folks trapped at home for unusual amounts of time. Fetcht is able to give its customers more freedom of choices during the pandemic, instead of just another lonely night of Hamburger Helper.
“We are sometimes the only face they see all day, and we’ll stick around and have a conversation sometimes.”
Fetcht, as a company, strives to reflect its values in its actions. As a Christian based company, they choose to use a percentage of their earnings during the week, as well as all Sunday proceeds, to support faith-based organizations in the Oxford area.
“We give to individuals and organizations that further the mission of Jesus Christ,” says Breckendridge. “We’ve helped FCA, funded Upward Basketball, helped missionaries. We love to do those sorts of things. We are always looking for individuals and organizations to bless.”
In fact, if you work with such an organization, the Fetcht team invites you to let them know how they could financially contribute. They can be reached on their mainline at 662-395-1008.
Fetcht has no plans to sell out, like Landshark recently did to Bite Squad, but they do have hopes for expansion.
“We don’t want to sell, that’s not even on the radar,” Breckendridge says. “I’d like to see us have basically all of the restaurants in Oxford on our listing, so folks have all the options. I’d love to see us expand into another market or two in the next five years.”
Fetcht’s logo of a black lab is real; her name is Raven, and she loves being the mascot of Oxford’s fastest growing local food delivery service company.
To order on Fetcht, download their app or visit FetchtDelivery.com. To get free delivery on your first order, use coupon code FETCHTRULES. You’ll be glad you did.
