What this boils down to is better efficiency for businesses, and elevated experiences for customers. In fact, 43 percent of restaurant owners<\/a> in the US and Canada say that new technology has been critical for their business\u2019 survival during the Covid era. But what\u2019s really needed to go from good to great is a fully integrated restaurant POS.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A successful restaurant is built on logical design and customization that makes sense for the teams and customers who make business possible. Your technology should operate the same way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An integrated POS brings together everything from ordering to payment \u2013 including mobile, contactless and deliverable orders and payments \u2013 and can include tracking orders, storing data, and even app-led personalization. And it should do so in a way that makes ordering easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The POS devices that customers use to place an order needs to be easy to read and understand. While your team can be trained to use a POS device, ideally it will be straightforward enough that they can pick it up quickly \u2013 and focus instead on customer experience. Your customers, meanwhile, need a kiosk or interface that\u2019s immediately intuitive, user-friendly, and interactive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Working together, these integrated devices speed up the ordering process and improve order accuracy by reducing the chance of misunderstandings between the customer and the kitchen. What that ultimately means is better experiences for everyone involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Table management software is a vital part of a holistic POS solution since it allows you to track how much each table is spending in real time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With data about how much time customers take to order, eat, and pay at each table, and even when additional elements are added to a bill (like another round of drinks, or some more sides), the better you\u2019re able to design a seamless experience for your customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the data shows, for example, that extra rice is almost always ordered with a plate of kung pao chicken, then you can alter your menu, or encourage servers to recommend that extra serving at ordering time. If wait times are trending upwards, then you can re-evaluate your processes. And with a wide enough view, you can give customers (in-store and ordering online) highly accurate wait times. The result is often better table service, more profitable seating designs, and a higher rate of happy customers going through your doors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, most restaurants simultaneously serve both on-premise and off-premise diners. With the rise of delivery services over the last few years, restaurants need to be able to dynamically cater to both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Receiving orders from multiple channels can increase your customer footprint and output \u2013 however the more channels you use, the more difficult it is to manually manage them. Imagine you receive three orders at the same time, one from the counter, one from your mobile app, and another from a self-order kiosk. Processing, prioritizing, and fulfilling all of those at maximum efficiency is a big ask \u2013 if you don\u2019t have a holistic system that\u2019s designed to handle it, or grow with your changing demands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s where your integrated POS system becomes a crucial tool for your business\u2019 growth. A POS will prioritize order flow to make your processing faster and more consistent. You may want to serve counter customers first (since dining real estate is limited) \u2013 in which case, your online and mobile order wait times can be adjusted so that the kitchen can prepare dine-in customers\u2019 orders with the highest priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now you can make the most of your real estate, and remote orders receive accurate communication every step of the way. This makes for a restaurant able to expand ordering options without sacrificing a streamlined service.<\/p>\n\n\n Learn more about the QSR digital transformation<\/a> and how QSR technology is changing the way brands deliver exemplary customer experiences.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n With delivery food orders doubling during the pandemic<\/a>, restaurant customers worldwide are continuing to spend more through online platforms. We\u2019ve seen a permanent reconfiguration of how we order, with online channels for menu browning and ordering here to stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s not hard to see why. Customers want to be able to order accurately, quickly, and often from the comfort of their homes. Online ordering cuts down on labor costs, streamlines the process, and reduces errors. It\u2019s a win for both parties \u2013 and a must for restaurants to stay ahead in today\u2019s competitive market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What\u2019s important to note is that patrons prefer ordering directly from a restaurant<\/a> than through third-party apps \u2013 meaning that your restaurant brand should have its own online ordering system integrated with the POS. This gives you direct control over the experience, the displayed prices, and the quality of service \u2013 plus, it opens the door to customization data that you wouldn\u2019t have access to with third-party platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mobile payments are more than just a friendly convenience \u2013 they’re a necessity. In 2020, Starbucks reported a fifth of their Q3 earnings came through their mobile app, while half of Chipotle\u2019s sales were digital<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mobile ordering and pay represents a $57.6 billion industry that\u2019s growing faster than ever \u2013 but to get it right, restaurants are utilizing mobile payment options that integrate with their POS systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s more than just putting in credit card details \u2013 it\u2019s about giving unlimited options for customers to use their own preferred payment method. If your POS can\u2019t handle a range of transaction types, it may present a block in the road for orders and cause delays for the customer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Customers increasingly want more personalized and seamless ordering and dining experiences, including how they pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gone are the days of awkwardly bringing out the split-the-bill calculator. Today, a POS should enable front-of-house staff to effortlessly split costs on bills and specific items, making payment processing a breeze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Imagine you\u2019ve got a party of twelve asking to pay individually for meals, but also split a bottle of wine between three people and four bowls of fries between ten people. That\u2019ll mean either ten minutes of calculations at the front desk \u2013 or a few seconds with a smart POS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But how would you manage an individual customer\u2019s or party\u2019s bill for easier payment processing at the end of the night?<\/p>\n\n\n\n A robust POS system can establish bar tabs when a customer or table arrives. By storing card details, items can be added directly to their bill without confusion or fuss. When the customer is ready to pay, their bill and information is all ready to go with intelligent payment processing capabilities \u2013 and they\u2019re able to continue enjoying their night without a hiccup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many restaurant POS systems can also help front-of-house staff easily transfer items or bills to new tables \u2013 something invaluable when a party outgrows its booth or shifts from bar to table. In a busy venue, an easy-to-understand point-of-sale system is essential for helping staff stay accurate and organized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Providing smoother payment services not only improves the dining experience but also means less hassle and better tips for staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gone are the days when workflow design was only limited to fancy restaurants. Thanks to new POS restaurant technology, customizing your workflow has become an essential aspect of any successful hospitality business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To get it right, you need to start with the basics: inventory management and planning. You can keep track of your stock, monitor it in real-time, and order exactly the right amounts as needed. This keeps your kitchen prep under control and reduces wastage, ultimately saving you time and money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Workflow also takes into account your front-of-house processes, such as counter ordering or table service, and streamlining communication between staff and customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n John Laporte, TASK\u2019s President of North America comments, \u201cDon\u2019t forget about how <\/em>orders are received and processed. Once an order is placed, it needs to be prepared in the kitchen, which is where a well-designed workflow comes into play. By optimizing your kitchen display systems<\/a>, you can ensure that every dish is prepared to perfection and delivered to customers on time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the end of the day, customizing your workflow is all about making your restaurant run like a well-oiled machine. It saves your staff time, reduces wastage, and provides customers with a top-notch dining experience.<\/p>\n\n\n A digital transaction management platform<\/a> streamlines business operations for hospitality businesses, saving money and time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n Integrated systems give you real-time data on everything from orders to staff costs to sales. It’s like having a crystal ball that tells you exactly what’s happening in your business at any given moment. And with this real-time data, you can immediately make changes to your menu and prices to reflect any fluctuations like out-of-stock ingredients, or seasonal variations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen you connect kitchen management software to your POS, you can track every single ingredient \u2013 down to the price, origin, and expiry date of a single egg,\u201d explains Trevor. \u201cThat level of control and awareness allows you to make real-time decisions about your menu prices and special offers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, let’s say the cost of the ingredients for your ice cream sundae has gone up, causing your margins to shrink. With your POS system, you can quickly adjust the price of the sundae to ensure that you’re still making a profit. And if you have an online menu, your system can seamlessly update it in real-time, making sure your customers always see the most accurate information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Naturally, if you want to address pricing and modifications, then your accounting software needs to work alongside your POS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Modern systems should be able to seamlessly transfer data from one platform to another, reducing admin time and taking out a lot of guesswork. So rather than gathering reports and tracking profit in retrospect, automated integration allows restaurant owners to sync real-time data across multiple platforms. Whether you\u2019re working remotely, need to oversee multiple branches, or simply want to get more time back, this solution provides an effortless option without sacrificing total control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Effective communication is essential to keep your restaurant running smoothly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When possible, systems and solutions should help minimize human error \u2013 and one way to do that is to ensure that your front and back-of-house staff are always in sync. With a standardized system, new orders are promptly organized and presented in an easy-to-read format that’s always up to date. This makes it easy to convey any modifications or customizations, such as allergies or specific preparation requests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now you can avoid the hassle of running back and forth between the kitchen and the front of the house or trying to decipher handwriting on tickets. Your staff can focus on providing exceptional service while your POS system takes care of the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Having a menu that goes beyond simple communication can make all the difference in engaging both customers and staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your POS system can do more than just streamline processes. It\u2019s also an opportunity to invite your customers to participate in the brand experience and leave a memorable impact that keeps them coming back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Research has shown that having a clear menu is a top priority for three-quarters of QSR customers<\/a> when making ordering decisions. With a comprehensive POS solution, brands have complete control over how they present their food options, including unique imaging and menu navigation. This offers brands the opportunity to bring their vision for a personalized ordering experience to life digitally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With restaurant POS touchpoints, brands can easily experiment with specific items or try out new imaging with a little bit of A-B testing. Perhaps you’re curious about which photo angle will entice more customers to order your burgers, or if dynamic images will help boost sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thanks to real-time data, POS systems provide immediate feedback on how marketing tactics are performing, making it easy to compare menus and images and make adjustments accordingly. Digital displays also allow for quick and convenient changes to menu items during service hours: if a dish is sold out, it can be promptly removed without causing confusion or frustration in customers. That\u2019s a big win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In fact, by promoting specific menu items on digital screens above the front counter, sales can increase by up to 38 percent<\/a> \u2013 and all it takes is a touch of a button. This is the power of a successful menu management system, powered by a robust point-of-sale system. And today’s businesses are only beginning to realize their full marketing potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Data-driven marketing research<\/a> shows that across the board, patrons reward businesses that make them feel special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In today’s world, customers expect digital platforms that make ordering just as easy as in-person communication. Little wonder that a 2021 poll showed that 40 percent of restaurant owners<\/a> said they planned on boosting efforts with personalized marketing and customer loyalty programs \u2013 and the best way to do that is with online ordering that tracks relevant customer data and delivers customer loyalty programs<\/a> tailored to each user.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is where data-driven marketing research comes into play. By leveraging online ordering that tracks customer data, businesses can provide personalized offers to keep their customers coming back for more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To meet these expectations, restaurants need to invest in the right digital tools. Using a fully integrated POS system, customers can order exactly the way they want to with advanced configuration options. An intuitive ordering platform allows customers to easily search for their favorite items, browse food categories, and request add-ons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s about more than just enhancing the customer experience \u2013 it gives businesses valuable insights to effectively and continuously improve their service and offerings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Given that mobile ordering already accounts for 24 percent of total sales<\/a>, it\u2019s absolutely essential for businesses to make their ordering process streamlined and personalized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A POS platform should always include options to communicate specific requests \u2013 modifications like \u201cPepperoni on one half\u201d or \u201cExtra salty\u201d, or an open text field so customers can manually write in special instructions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Providing more convenient opportunities for customers to customize their meals is just one more way to personalize their experience and increase order accuracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s face it \u2013 keeping up with today\u2019s changing restaurant industry is hard. Customers expect more than ever, staff shortages continue to drive higher wages, and food prices keep rising. To stay ahead, restaurants need help from new tech.<\/p>\n\n\n\nA BETTER EXPERIENCE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
OVERSEE YOUR FLOOR IN REAL TIME<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
CUSTOMIZE ORDER FLOW \u2013 REGARDLESS OF THE POINT OF ORIGIN<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
MORE ONLINE ORDERS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
GO MOBILE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
SPLIT THE CHECK AND TRACK THE TAB<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
CUSTOMIZABLE WORKFLOW<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
EASY MODIFICATIONS MADE IN THE MOMENT<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>SEAMLESS INTEGRATION WITH ACCOUNTING SOFTWARE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
IMPROVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN FRONT AND BACK OF HOUSE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>A MENU THAT REFLECTS YOUR BRAND<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>BETTER PRODUCT MANAGEMENT<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>CONVERSATIONAL ORDERING<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>INVEST IN TECH THAT WILL HELP YOU GROW<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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