How Mobile Ordering and Payment Apps Can Help Your Restaurant Thrive

The digital age is eliminating the need for cash. 

Over the past few years, restaurants have been diversifying their way of accepting payments. While cash payment used to be the industry norm for centuries, consumers today are more willing than ever to pay for their meals through technology. That’s why restaurants are widely accepting alternative payment methods like mobile wallets and payment apps. 

But mobile solutions aren’t just famous for payment. Digital innovations have also changed the way consumers order their food. 

It’s impossible to imagine today's restaurant industry without mobile ordering apps that enable consumers to get their meals with just a few clicks. And in restaurants, tableside ordering, QR code menus, and self-ordering kiosks are now an integral part of the restaurant experience.

While mobile payment and ordering solutions have been rising for some time, the pandemic accelerated this trend almost overnight. This article will explain why these apps revolutionize the industry and how your restaurant can benefit from them.

Types of mobile ordering and payment solutions

There are different ways to implement mobile apps in your business. 

One option is to arm your staff with handheld POS tablets for tableside ordering and payments. By putting technology in the hands of your employees, customers still have the face-to-face interaction they would expect when dining in a restaurant. More face time enhances customer service and helps you connect with your guests.

The second option involves customer-facing apps for ordering and paying:

• Table-top tablets linked to the restaurant POS system allow customers to order food directly from their table and ask for a check. 

• QR codes at the table enable diners to browse the menu, order and pay. 

• Restaurants that prefer “the old ways” can also combine a traditional ordering approach with a mobile payment app or digital wallets like PayPal, OpenTable, Cover, Venmo, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.

• Many Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) opt for self-ordering kiosks to provide a faster and more personalized ordering experience and streamline orders.

• Off-premise guests can use onlineordering systems and delivery apps to place an order for takeout, delivery, or pickup.

Whatever digital solution your restaurant invests in, make sure it integrates with your point of sale, so you have access to real-time data and a complete overview of all your sales. This will optimize your operational flow both front and back of house.

10 Benefits of mobile ordering and payment apps for your restaurant

Now that we’ve covered the basics let’s look at the opportunities these mobile solutions present for your business - regardless of whether you run a QSR, a fast-casual restaurant, or a fine-dining restaurant. 

We’ll focus on the advantages of apps used in restaurants rather than online ordering and delivery systems.

#1 Faster table turnover

Customers don’t have to wait for menus or checks, and orders are fulfilled faster with everything at their fingertips.

The faster you can serve guests and clear tables, the more guests you can serve overall, and the more revenue your restaurant will be able to earn.

#2 No more wrong orders

Mobile solutions don’t just improve the speed of service; they also work wonders for order accuracy. With orders placed through technology, the risk of mistakes is significantly reduced by your staff or the guests themselves.

#3 Reliable and secure payment

Credit card fraud is a real concern for restaurant customers. Mobile payment processing either eliminates the need for a credit card or facilitates payment right at the table. Your customer’s card never leaves their sight, reducing the risk of skimming and completely removing your guest’s concern. 

#4 More time to focus on improving the guest experience

Providing exceptional service is crucial to any restaurant’s success. If you leverage technology to optimize and speed up ordering and paying, your waitstaff can spend more time with your customers to ensure they are having a good time.

#5 Improved customer satisfaction

When guests browse the menu, order, and pay directly from their table, the entire dining experience is streamlined. And with swift and guaranteed secure payment and staff having more time for hospitality, customers have everything they need to enjoy their restaurant experience fully. 

#6 Optimized operational flow

Every operator knows that increasing efficiency is a must to keep your restaurant’s doors open and improve profitability. 

When your mobile ordering apps and payment solutions are integrated into your POS, all incoming orders are automatically transmitted to the kitchen. No orders are lost, no mistakes are made, and the speed of service is increased. 

Moreover, making fewer order mistakes also positively impacts food costs and waste, increasing your operational efficiency even more. 

#7 Real-time data

When you use mobile ordering and payment systems, you get access to valuable data in real time. You can see how many tables are being served by each of your servers, how much money is coming in during a specific service, or how many people are ordering takeout or delivery.

Additionally, tableside ordering gives you more insight into your customers’ purchasing behaviors. You can use this information to create loyalty programs or customized marketing campaigns.

#8 Integrated loyalty programs

Many digital payment apps include loyalty programs to boost customer retention and help restaurants drive more sales. Mobile POS solutions also often come with a built-in loyalty program. If they don’t, there’s a good chance they’re compatible with a third-party gift or loyalty program.  

#9 Easy upselling

Your waitstaff is always trying to push drinks, sides, and desserts, but upselling is often forgotten or skipped to turn tables around faster during a busy service. 

That’s where mobile apps and POS tablets can help. When a server is taking an order (or a customer is placing one), a pop-upreminds them about extras like side dishes, drinks, and desserts. This easy upselling feature can therefore help increase your average ticket total.

#10 Better tips for staff

Last but not least: your employees can also see higher tips when your restaurant uses mobile payment systems. Many apps offer a prompt screen that appears when customers are about to check out, asking them to leave a tip. 

Not only is it easier to tip using a mobile payment app (it’s just one tap!), but customers can also see what other guests typically tip, the percentage of the tip, and the amount. That makes it more likely that they’ll leave a better tip - especially after the phenomenal service you’ve provided.

Mobile payment apps and ordering solutions are a win-win for both restaurants and customers

From quick-service restaurants to fine dining establishments, every restaurant operator should welcome the many new mobile payment solutions and tableside ordering systems readily available today.

These solutions can enhance the customers’ restaurant experience, ensure more secure payment transactions, and increase order accuracy, improving customer satisfaction.

On the restaurants’ side, using tableside ordering and payment technology helps increase table turnaround, optimize operational flows, and get to know your customers and their behaviors. Ultimately, that’s how you can boost revenue.

No matter which digital ordering or payment methods you choose, it is key to configure the technology to your restaurant POS system so you have a clear overview of your real-time sales and revenue at all times. That’s where the Deliverect platform comes in. Schedule a call with one of our restaurant tech experts today to find out how we can help your restaurant thrive.