“Let’s order in” is a phrase that’s increasingly heard in U.S. households these days as busy consumers crave an alternative to preparing meals at home, but would rather not travel to a restaurant to pick up takeout or dine on-site. A feature-rich food delivery POS system can help restaurants capitalize on this trend and build their business. Let’s take a look at four key benefits of such a system.
- A food delivery POS system bolsters order-taking efficiencies and accuracy.
Customers don’t want to spend a lot of time on the telephone with a restaurant employee while that person writes down their order. They also don’t want to receive food that isn’t prepared exactly as specified, nor do they want to find that something is missing from their order. When restaurant employees enter orders into a food delivery POS system rather than recording them manually, the process takes less time; the potential for errors is reduced thanks to the intuitive and accurate software. The same is true when the food delivery POS system has an online ordering component. In all cases, restaurants cultivate happier, more loyal customers – and, of course, a healthier bottom line.
- A food delivery POS system increases check size.
When employees can recall individual customers’ previous orders by tapping into the food delivery POS system, ordering is not only a faster process – it’s a more lucrative one. Why? Employees can note customers’ favorites and engage in suggestive selling, which leads to a bigger tab. If a food delivery POS system has an online ordering component, check size may increase because customers can take their time deciding what they would like—and won’t necessarily avoid ordering that extra dessert, appetizer, or other enticing item because they’re too embarrassed to do so as on a telephone call.
- A food delivery POS system enables faster order preparation, and helps orders reach their destinations in the shortest possible amount of time.
If a restaurant’s food delivery POS system interfaces with its kitchen display system, orders accepted by telephone or online can be automatically transmitted to the kitchen. Kitchen staff can then begin preparing orders in the sequence in which they were received and without delay caused by lost or indecipherable order tickets. The fewer the delays in the kitchen, the shorter the interval between the moment orders are placed and the moment they’re ready to go out the door.
What’s more, with a feature-rich food delivery POS system in place, drivers have access to online maps, making it easier for them to easily find order destinations. Delivery routes can be mapped out in the most logical fashion, with orders bound for homes or offices within close proximity grouped together rather than assigned to different drivers. The end-result: speedier delivery service and enhanced customer satisfaction.
- A food delivery POS system helps to cultivate repeat business.
When new customers order food to be delivered from your restaurant, their names, contact information, and order data are entered into a database. You can then tap into the database to undertake a number of initiatives, including creating a loyalty program that attracts and maintains customers’ attention with a variety of potential rewards. You can also leverage the database in your food delivery POS system to get the word out about last-minute offers, in turn generating more delivery, takeout, and dine-in business during slow periods.
Delivery can be a profitable venture for restaurants of all kinds. Operators who harness a food delivery POS system, however, will enjoy its greatest advantages.
