With the Internet now virtually accessible to anyone, local restaurants and takeaways have looked to take advantage of this, by adapting their ordering systems to incorporate the web.

However, rather than setting up their own website - which can require a significant amount of time and money - many of these restaurants and takeaways have chosen to use Just-Eat.

Founded back in 2001, in Denmark, Just-Eat has become hugely popular in the world of online takeaway ordering. With an estimated user base of more than 3 million, there are also around 25,000 restaurants listed - 11,000 of which are located in the United Kingdom - spread across 13 countries.

But how exactly does it work?

Well, restaurants and takeaways that sign up for the service will be provided with a free website; the website features the restaurant or takeaway's details - such as opening and closing times, address, and, most importantly, their menu.

This site will then be promoted by Just-Eat on search engines - such as Google, Yahoo! and Bing. The restaurant or takeaway is also provided with access to JustConnect technology - in the form of a JCT Box.

Working wirelessly - and without the need for an Internet connection or a dedicated phone line - the two-way JCT box processes online orders, ensuring that customers have up-to-date information regarding the status of their orders placed on the Just-Eat website.

All a user has to do is choose from one of the restaurants or takeaways in their local area - be it a high-end Chinese restaurant or local pizza house. They can then choose from one of the many delicious dishes featured on the menu, choose a delivery time and payment method.

Users can choose to pay upon delivery or via a credit or debit card.

Once an order has been received and accepted by the restaurant or takeaway, the customer will see a notification, as well as information on the expected delivery time.

Their order will then be prepared and packaged, ready for delivery or collection - depending on the option chosen when the order was initially placed.

Users are also provided with access to customer support service (available online via the order support and chat service, or offline via a phone helpline) - again ensuring that they can be kept updated regarding their orders.

Restaurants partnered with Just-Eat also have access to a support team providing dedicated care and advice - ranging from how to make the most of the service to making thorough checks to prevent any fraudulent orders being placed that could put a restaurant out of pocket.

Primarily designed to allow restaurants and takeaways to focus on providing a range of fantastic food for their customers - as well as managing the ordering system - Just-Eat can provide a number of additional benefits.

For example, the company claims that restaurants using its service on average will see their revenue increase by between 15 to 25 per cent per year.

Capitalising on the fact that people operate at such a hectic pace that they might not always be able to get to their local takeaway, Just-Eat has made ordering food online via a PC or smart phone device accessible and - more importantly - considerably easier.

Just-Eat was set up in Denmark in the early 2000s to provide takeaway restaurants with an easy way to sell their food online. With clear benefits to both businesses and customers, the company has flourished, and can now boast a portfolio of around 25,000 restaurants.