Waitr made a major announcement in the Hub City today.

During a public block party, Waitr’s CEO Chris Meaux announced that the rapidly growing technology firm will locate its Lafayette headquarters to downtown Lafayette, where the company will deliver 200 new direct jobs

The company first started in Lake Charles and now operates in 600 cities in 22 states. 

The company employs 5800 people in Louisiana alone. Meaux said the move to the downtown location will begin with 125 employees.

The company will also keep its customer operations center on Bertrand Drive and add additional jobs. 

Governor John Bel Edwards spoke at today’s announcement celebration. He said the company’s expansion delivers a whole new era of growth for the state. 

“As long as Waitr remains in their headquarters in Louisiana, the state’s going to provide $200,000 a year for the next five years as seed capital for startup projects. Waitr and Chris Meaux will advise us on the selection process on which companies should be getting that capital,” the governor said. 

You can read the full statement from Edwards’ officer here.

Waitr will retain 315 existing full-time jobs in Louisiana as well thousands of delivery drivers, the company said. 

According to the company and Edward’s office, 200 new direct jobs will provide an average salary of $55,000 per year, plus benefits

Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will also result in an additional 227 new indirect jobs, for a total of 427 new jobs in Acadiana and surrounding regions.

Meaux said he never dreamed his company would turn into such a success story, and it all started with one question: “What’s for dinner?”