If you want to run a successful business in the restaurant industry, you must embrace new technology and streamline your processes wherever possible. Setting out an efficient ordering system for your restaurant can improve the customer experience and speed up the ordering process.
We’ve compiled a handy overview of ordering systems for restaurants to help you understand the different solutions available. From online ordering and food delivery apps to in-house point-of-sale systems, we have all the information you need to get started. Let’s check it out.
An ordering system for a restaurant is a set of procedures that lets customers order and pay for food and beverages. Customers choose from your range of menu items, and the kitchen prepares them — the ordering system is the process through which this happens.
Dine-in restaurants need a food ordering system that lets customers order in person. Diners order at the table or a point of sale (POS) with a member of staff who relays the order to the kitchen. Alternatively, customers can place their order on a self-service kiosk, which automatically sends it to the kitchen display system (often called a KDS) via POS software.
Restaurants offering takeout or delivery usually need an online ordering system in place — or both online ordering and in-store self-service ordering. You can use a third-party ordering app, a digital ordering system, or an online ordering platform built into your restaurant website. You can also take delivery orders by phone — but many customers now prefer to order online, and you can easily advertise your online ordering system by sharing links on your social media channels.
Restaurants must be able to process orders and serve the food that customers have chosen. However, using a manual ordering system with handwritten tickets can lead to wrong orders, which leads to a negative customer experience.
The right ordering tools can help you improve the overall restaurant experience by:
Reducing wait times: A digital ordering system can streamline and speed up the ordering process, letting you complete more orders in a service period.
Cutting down on food waste: With a more accurate ordering process, you’ll serve fewer wrong menu items and reduce the amount of food being thrown away.
Improving customer loyalty: Fewer wrong orders means customers will be more likely to revisit your restaurant. Plus, many digital ordering systems support customer loyalty programs.
Attracting new customers: External online ordering software can help your restaurant’s marketing efforts, as your restaurant will appear on third-party websites. This can help you reach new customers who may not have heard of you.
Choosing the right ordering system for your restaurant could boost your bottom line and improve the dining experience at your restaurant business.
Now that you understand what an ordering system for a restaurant is and how it can improve the ordering experience, you’ll want to know what options are available beyond a simple paper-ticket system. There are a couple of excellent options that can enhance your operating procedures and simplify the ordering process.
A restaurant POS system includes hardware and software that lets you process payments and track sales data. It can act as an integral part of a food ordering system in a restaurant and provides a simple ordering solution.
Staffers tap through customer orders on the software, which can be installed on an iOS or Android tablet or be built into dedicated POS hardware. Customers pay for their orders at the POS, which acts as the payment processor and can accept credit cards, gift cards, cash, or contactless payments.
POS systems like Square or Toast POS come with loyalty program functionality to help you boost customer loyalty and collect customer data every time you complete the checkout process.
The best restaurant POS systems work with your KDS, sending orders directly to the kitchen and providing real-time updates to back-of-house staff. Many POS solutions also come with inventory management and marketing tools as add-ons.
POS systems are a fantastic option whether you use table service or counter service. You can download the POS app onto a tablet to create a mobile ordering system that your staff can take directly to tables.
Another ordering system for your restaurant could be to set up self-service kiosks for contactless ordering in your business.
Kiosk apps like KioskBuddy work with your POS to allow customers to place and pay for orders without needing staffers. Customers tap through the software to order their chosen dishes and drinks, and the POS software processes the payment.
There are several benefits to using self-service kiosks in your restaurant, such as reduced wait times for customers and lower labor costs for your restaurant management team. Kiosks are also an excellent way to improve your ordering system, as they make it simple and quick for customers to order their own food.
In this digital age, it’s all but essential for restaurants to offer some kind of online food ordering. The best online ordering systems for restaurants let your customers order from anywhere, whether they’re coming into your restaurant to collect the food or using a delivery service.
Delivery apps like DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats are top-rated among restaurants and consumers. Third-party apps like this make it easy for customers to order food for takeout, curbside pickup, or delivery.
The apps provide excellent customer support to help you if there are any problems, and they’re an easy way to set up mobile ordering without extensive coding or web development knowledge. They can also boost your online presence by showing your restaurant to people who may not have heard of it or visited it before.
The downside to third-party solutions is that most charge a fee for each order placed, usually charged as a percentage of the total order price. This can be as high as 30% for premier accounts on DoorDash, but cheaper options and more basic plans with Grubhub and other suppliers charge a 5% commission.
Many restaurants choose to set up an online ordering system on their own websites. Many people see this as a natural extension of an online menu.
Your own online ordering system is an excellent option for takeout and delivery orders, especially for restaurant managers who don’t want to pay a hefty commission to a third party. However, you’ll need good website design skills to set up an e-commerce store on your website. Templates are available online to help you, but it may be easier to embed a third-party booking system on your site.
Choosing the right ordering system for a restaurant is a critical decision for restaurant owners. Consider the options and choose a system with the best functionality for your business’s needs.
KioskBuddy is an easy-to-use self-service kiosk app that lets you turn your tablet into a self-ordering system. Customers can tap through the kiosk software to place and pay for their orders, and the system works with your POS software to send real-time updates to your KDS. It’s a simple and inexpensive way to start self-service in your restaurant.
Sign up for KioskBuddy today and get a 30-day free trial.