Related to other posts on interesting business models, here is a unique “spin.”
SoupCycle, unique model supporting other local businesses
Bicycles have been used to deliver a variety of products–from groceries, farm produce and laundry. Now? Organic soup, made from locally grown produce and delivered each week to subscribers. Three soups are typically on the menu in any given week at SoupCycle. Consumers who live or work in the Portland, Ore., company’s delivery area begin by checking out the selections for the following week and placing their order by midnight on Friday; rustic bread, salad and dressing are also available.
With a list of subscribers in hand, SoupCycle then buys the necessary produce from local farmers. Their schedule looks something like this:
- Monday: Cook Soup
- Tuesdays: Begin deliveries
Pricing: USD
- $18 for a quart of soup plus bread and salad, serves 1-2
- $45 for quantities that can serve six
- A la carte options too
- $3 delivery charge applies for orders under USD 18; otherwise, delivery is free.
Loaves and … soup containers
Each of SoupCycle’s trailers can carry some 40 soup containers, 40 bread loaves and 20 salads at once, it says. Since SoupCycle first launched about a year and a half ago, it has delivered more than 10,000 orders of soup, spent USD 33,000 with local farmers and saved 3,000 gas-powered miles by using bicycles instead. Some 150 subscribers now enjoy its weekly deliveries. One to emulate locally for some piping-hot profits of your own…? 
Website: www.soupcycle.com
Contact: yesplease@soupcycle.com
Christine Haskell
