26 Nov 2018 | Blog
Why is having an order ahead app beneficial to a restaurant and its customers?
In recent years, the food industry in Australia has seen a vast shift in the way food is being ordered and supplied. Customers have more choice about where to eat than ever before. But they’re not just hungry for variety, they’re hungry for convenience as well. In order to keep up with the pace of the industry, restaurant owners have no choice but to get their business online and in front of potential customers in any way they can.
Having a presence online not only makes you visible to potential new customers, it also allows you to reach them while they are in the mindset of planning their next meal. It’s like tapping them on the shoulder, and telling them what tasty treats you have to offer just when they’re feeling hungry.
But it’s one thing to be visible online and quite another to offer your customers the option to place an order as well. Especially if they have the ability to order ahead. Restaurants around the world have taken the leap to this online food ordering trend. Not only does it provide a better service to your customers, it will do your profit margin wonders as well.
Here are the advantages of incorporating an order ahead app to your restaurant.
One click away
Thanks to today’s smartphones which are so widely used, online ordering can be done in just a few taps while your customers are on the go. Whether they’re on a short lunch break, riding the bus home, or about to battle the peak-hour traffic, ordering ahead is definitely a better alternative to waiting to order after arriving to the restaurant. A vast proportion of the Australian population prefer using mobile apps to order food rather than traditional methods. So by getting your venue in front of customers on their preferred device and in the right mindset, you’re more likely to increase your bottom line.
A Prepared Chef is a Happy Chef
By giving customers the option to order ahead, it also gives restaurant chefs and front-of-house staff, a chance to plan ahead. Imagine being able to receive an order two hours ahead of when it needs to be ready. It gives everyone a chance to put the orders through the kitchen according to time, meaning there is no need to feel under pressure to prepare your customers’ meal at the last minute.
Higher volume for hungry customers
It was found that hungry customers order more food online rather than ordering at a restaurant counter. In fact, Australians can spend up to 30% more when ordering through a mobile app. This is because customers want to make the most of their order for fear of not getting enough to satisfy their cravings. On top of this, they have more time to browse the menu and order at their leisure, without the pressure of a line of people waiting behind them or feeling rushed to get to where they need to be. This translates to a larger stream of revenue for your restaurant.
Reaching millennials
Millennials under the age of 30 cover a large percentage of the population using smartphones and they use them for just about anything. Not only that, they are willing to spend their money on food being prepared for them. By exposing your venue to this audience through an order ahead app, chances are, you’ll reap the benefits.
To learn more of the advantages of having an order ahead app for your restaurant, contact us today!
