Much like the average customer, large dining parties expect good service, a comfortable area to sit and mingle, and great tasting food or drinks. At most establishments, restaurant management understands the importance of big groups driving profits. Even so, mistakes are bound to happen, and upsetting large parties is never good for business.
One national steakhouse chain employs a specialized marketing manager at each location to handle large dining groups before and during the event. Their locations feature Wi-Fi and audio-video production capabilities, whether it’s for a sales meeting or a slideshow of your parents’ anniversary. This chain even has private event facilities for these occasions. Sales managers also work with restaurant management to ensure a great dining experience.
While some restaurant chains have the resources to create exclusive spaces for privatized parties, most restaurants do not have that luxury. So, what do you do when you need to pamper a large group, but don’t have the manpower or extra space to do it? A POS system can help support your needs in table management, digital ordering and payment processing.
Here are some tips to keep things running smoothly for your large parties:
Book it
If you know a party is coming ahead of time, your POS software can handle the reservations by processing a credit card to hold the room or space. If the party doesn’t show up, a fee can be charged to the credit card for the created inconvenience. Mark the tables as reserved, and work with your restaurant staff to organize the party location.
Set up the room
Large parties can sometimes cause quite a stir. Use your restaurant décor or partitions to separate parties from the other guests. Furniture and room partitions can create a natural barrier that keeps your regular crowd away from a loud table of guests. POS software can assist in your planning by providing an interactive table map.
Bill breaking
It’s important to know how the check will be handled, so servers should inquire about bill splitting sooner rather than later. A POS system can make this process easier by automatically splitting the check. POS software can also take an individual item, like a dessert, and split it among two guests. POS systems allow servers to work more quickly, keeping the food coming while maintaining table turnover for more guests.
Instant communication
Restaurants that use a tablet with mobile POS software are able to keep everyone informed while also speeding up the ordering process. Tablets allow servers to enter orders while still at the table, and the kitchen will automatically receive everything. This greatly speeds up order entry and food preparation. As a result, large parties aren’t waiting long periods for their food to be made. Not only does this simplify things for the restaurant staff, it also makes the guest experience much better.
Table management
Large groups don’t always call ahead, so finding room can be tough on restaurant management. Luckily, POS systems help with parties of any size thanks to features that create floor plans, status alerts, and meal staging notifications.
When handling large parties, a POS system can be vital to creating a positive customer experience. Combining teamwork, good customer service and POS software will keep your groups coming back for more and increase your profits.
