KC-built delivery platform recruiting drivers, retailers ahead of summer app launch

Dwayne Overton is no stranger to the hustle, he said. The Kansas City entrepreneur once juggled gigs with Lyft and DoorDash — jobs that gave him an up-close look at the struggles drivers face every day. 

Now, as founder and CEO of VendiSafe, he’s building a delivery platform that spins the traditional model on its axle, he said.

“Drivers are frustrated with low earnings,” Overton explained. “Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, they’re taking 25 to 30 percent from these drivers. So I came up with the idea of a subscription-based model.”

The company’s new app, called VendiEats, is currently open for signups and set to launch Aug. 1. Through the app’s $10-a-day subscription model, drivers no longer lose a major chunk of their earnings to the platform, he said.

With zero delivery fees for customers, a flat rate for local businesses, and a five-mile delivery radius to boost driver efficiency, VendiSafe is designed to keep more money in the pockets of drivers and Kansas City’s local businesses, Overton said.

Click here to learn more about how the VendiSafe model works.

“I’ve created a win-win situation for everybody,” he said. “This allows drivers to make more money in a shorter period of time.”

Making delivery accessible

From its business model to its mission, VendiSafe is all about community, Overton emphasized. The company is rooted in Kansas City and focused on uplifting Black-owned businesses and making delivery more affordable for everyone.

“Whether you make a lot of money or not much at all, you still deserve to eat out,” said Grey Manning, regional director of sales for VendiSafe. “You still deserve to have that luxury of delivery.”

Early partners include barbershops, clothing brands, and KC-based vendor Jessica Loves Edibles, known for her healing THC-infused treats and skincare products.

“We’re partnering with a lot of local businesses and trying to promote Black ownership,” said Manning.

Customers can also earn VendiBucks through the app, a rewards program that encourages repeat orders and supports local businesses. 

VendiBucks can be redeemed for services like haircuts, custom shoes, spa days, and merchandise from VendiSafe’s in-house brand, Vendi.

“This is more than just a food delivery app,” Overton said. “This is all-inclusive to Kansas City.”

Ownership, opportunity, and growth

Overton launched work on VendiSafe earlier this year with a mission to give his team more than just a paycheck, he said. He’s brought on software engineers and a sales director, all of whom have 5 percent ownership stakes in the company.

“I don’t want people to just go out here and sell things for me and then wake up the next day starting from zero,” he said. “They’re building something for themselves and their families.”

VendiSafe is currently hiring drivers and salespeople, and Kansas Citians can sign up for the VendiEats app now, Overton said.

With development nearly complete — and the launch just weeks away — the VendiSafe team is thinking big, but determined to grow locally first, the founder noted.

“Once we prove this concept is flawless, the next step is to scale it,” Overton said. “But it all starts right here, with Kansas City.”