Omaha LoCo Delivery co-founder Clay Seaman launches locally owned restaurant delivery service and co-operative
A local entrepreneur with over 25 years in delivery services, Clay Seaman is no stranger to the Omaha restaurant scene.
When COVID-19 hit, Seaman says he wanted to help restaurants survive the pandemic. In March 2020, he founded Omaha LoCo Delivery, a locally owned delivery co-operative.
Keeping money local
Seaman says he was inspired by a model established by Chomp, a delivery co-operative in Iowa City. “LoCo” is a play on the words local co-op.
As a co-operative, Omaha LoCo allows restaurant owners to control the delivery process and gain a share of the profits. Seaman says Omaha LoCo also charges lower fees than national services, which often take up to 30 percent in commissions.
“We know the suffering that has been going on with these delivery services,” Seaman says. “[Restaurants] need to have control and manage every facet of their business, but yet they can’t hire their own delivery drivers. It’s just so expensive.”
Community first
Since launching in February, Omaha LoCo has almost 60 restaurants on its app. After downloading the Get LoCo app, customers can place an order with their desired restaurant. Seaman says restaurants confirm orders on a tablet, which pushes deliveries to drivers through an app.
He says drivers are paid well and receive tips. In addition, Omaha LoCo charges a flat delivery fee that saves customers money.
“It’s going really well,” Seaman says. “The delivery side has been going really smoothly.”
Seaman says Omaha LoCo is different because local staff runs it. As general manager, he interacts personally with restaurant owners.
“It’s great that I’m able to talk to them one-on-one,” Seaman says. “If there is an issue, they know that they can get a hold of me.”
Be bold
While Omaha LoCo is new to the community, Seaman says the team is figuring out a concept that resonates with Omahans. Like he has done with Omaha LoCo, he encourages people to pursue their passions.
“If you have an idea and you’ve always wanted to do it,” Seaman says, “then just do it.”
About Clay Seaman
Clay Seaman is the co-founder and general manager of Omaha LoCo Delivery, where he oversees marketing and restaurant onboarding. As general manager, he has coordinated LoCo’s launch and its participation in the Douglas County Meal Deal Program funded by a grant from county commissioners. From December 2020 to February 2021, Seaman helped arrange the delivery of 7,000 family meals from 40 restaurants to Omahans in need as funded by the grant.
Previous to LoCo, he got his start as a circulation supervisor with Times Publishing in 1998, where he managed over 15 paid and non-paid publications. In 2001, he served as the circulation manager for “The Employment Guide,” and oversaw the distribution of the nation’s largest free employment publication in 4 states. He also established the largest employer-participated job fair, Omaha Works, with 115 employers in 2008. As talent and growth officer for Omaha Jobs/Pioneer Media, he co-hosted over 800 job fairs in the Omaha area and worked with government assisted programs to help people find work.
Since 2010, Seaman has volunteered in the areas of coaching, fundraising, and supporting local schools. As a volunteer board member of Papio Pool, he has expanded the pool’s business sponsorships, helped raise money for a new addition, hosted member events, and implemented an email platform. Seaman attended Metropolitan Community College from 1992-1994.
