In a world where convenience is key, Fantuan has emerged as a leading player in the food delivery industry. Founded in 2014 in Vancouver, Canada, by Randy Wu and Yaofei Feng, Fantuan started as a solution to a personal problem and has since expanded into a comprehensive life services platform. With a mission of “life made easier,” the company has grown to serve millions of users across Canada, the United States, Australia, and the UK. Today, Fantuan is more than just a food delivery service; it’s a technology company connecting people with their local communities in innovative ways.
Randy Wu’s Vision
The story of Fantuan began when Randy Wu, a student at Simon Fraser University, found himself craving authentic Chinese food while stuck on campus. Frustrated by the lack of options, Wu was inspired by the booming food delivery apps in China, such as Meituan, and decided to create his own service. With the encouragement of his girlfriend, Wu took the plunge, dropping out of school and starting Fantuan.
Wu’s journey wasn’t easy. He and his co-founder, Yaofei Feng, faced numerous rejections from restaurant owners. However, their persistence paid off as they convinced owners to join their platform, eventually leading Fantuan to become the top Chinese food delivery service in Vancouver by 2016. Wu’s determination and vision have been the driving forces behind Fantuan’s growth.
Feng Leaves Amazon to Join Fantuan
Yaofei Feng, who worked as an engineer at Amazon, met Wu online through a multiplayer game and soon became intrigued by Wu’s venture. Despite having a stable job in Seattle, Feng yearned for something more—an opportunity to solve real problems for customers. When he learned about Wu’s startup, Feng made the bold decision to quit his job and join Fantuan. Together, Wu and Feng used their personal savings to build the company from the ground up.
Feng’s technical expertise and passion for customer experience were instrumental in developing Fantuan’s MVP. Using WeChat as a platform, they started by manually placing and delivering orders themselves, gradually building the app as the business model proved successful. Feng’s decision to leave Amazon and partner with Wu was a risk that paid off, leading to the rapid expansion of Fantuan.
A Global Life Services Platform
Since its inception, Fantuan has evolved into more than just a food delivery service. By 2020, the company expanded into a full-fledged life services platform, offering delivery for groceries, convenience items, and even daily deals. Fantuan’s success is evident in its impressive growth, with over 600 employees, 75,000 merchants, and 80,000 drivers. The company’s ability to adapt and innovate has allowed it to raise over $90 million in funding and expand into multiple countries.
Looking ahead, Fantuan continues to focus on efficiency and customer satisfaction. By providing support to restaurant owners, optimizing delivery routes, and enhancing its delivery system, Fantuan aims to solidify its position as a leader in the life services industry. As the company celebrates its 10th anniversary, Randy Wu and Yaofei Feng’s vision of making life easier for people around the world remains at the core of Fantuan’s mission.
To read more startup stories visit- businesspresscanada