He’s tiny. He’s electric. And he’ll bring Wichita bierocks at home
His name is Franz and he will bring bierocks to your door.
One of many interesting developments to come out of the coronavirus pandmeic, which has sent many Wichita restaurant owners scrambling for new ways to stay afloat, is a tiny little delivery car just purchased by Prost, the popular German restaurant at 2721 E. Central.
Owners Manu and Austin English, who have continued serving food to-go throughout the pandemic, recently bought a little black electric smart car and turned it into their delivery vehicle.
The car, decorated with the Prost logo, has now been operating for almost two weeks, and for a $5 charge, it will take Prost’s German food to front doors within a five-mile radius of the restaurant. It’ll also deliver items from Ze German Markt, Prost’s sister business in Revolutsia.
The car was Austin’s idea, the couple said. Though Wichita has been supportive and continued to order carryout — including lots of German beer — during the past couple of months, he was looking for a way to drum up more food business.
“We’re being as creative as we can to stay alive,” he said.
(This week, that included taking a job to make 120 bierock and potato salad sack lunches a day to feed Wichita police officers.)
On Monday, Prost’s owners launched a contest, asking customers to help them name their tiny new assistant. Several German names were suggested, but ultimately, the winning name was Franz — inspired by famous German soccer player Franz “Der Kaiser” Beckenbauer, who Manu’s father happened to love.
Franz will deliver anything off of Prost’s pared-down to-go menu, but he can’t deliver beer. People will have to order carryout to get that.
For now, Prost is continuing with to-go orders and delivery. Owners are targeting June 2 as a reopening date for dine-in.
Delivery is available from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. To make a delivery or to-go order, call 316-260-3220. To see the to-go menu, visit prostwichita.com.
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