Hospitality businesses are still reeling at last week’s news that they must shut by 10pm every day. So when trading hours are restricted, what can you do to maintain revenue?
Here are 6 ways restaurant management technology can support your operations as the crisis continues to bite:
- Takeaway and online ordering
- Efficient reservations and timeslot management
- Tableside ordering and payment
- Upselling
- Stock control/waste management
- Customer engagement.
Takeaway and online ordering –
Already a lifeline for many operators who had never previously considered them, with even fine dining establishments taking part.
But if you feel your takeout operation could be better, Aloha Now restaurant software helps you set up your own takeaway website and connects it to your restaurant epos so you can import your dishes easily.
It connects you with the delivery platforms you choose – and it allows demanding diners to place their order quickly and easily. There’s also some evidence that customers ordering by mobile spend more, just because it’s easy.
Efficient reservations and timeslot management –
With time short, you can’t afford inefficient handling of guests, particularly with table service now mandated at a lot of outlets.
Aloha Now streamlines the reservation process and manages timeslots so your table turn is maximised. Customer service benefits too – guests are seated quickly and served rapidly, which adds up to a satisfying experience.
Tableside ordering and payment –
Guest safety is crucial, and providing diners with the ability to place orders and pay via their mobile while at their table not only promotes wellbeing, but also improves speed of delivery.
With guests placing their own orders, human error is avoided and the order goes straight to the kitchen for preparation, where it can be integrated with kitchen automation. No rushing back and forth for your serving staff, either, which helps with labour management.
Learn more about helping your guests stay safe with tableside ordering.
Upselling –
Staff have been complaining that it’s difficult to engage properly with diners because of the restrictions – and that also has an impact on how well they can upsell.
However, with table service now mandated at licensed premises, they will be at tableside. And if they are taking orders on handheld restaurant epos software devices, they can be offered upselling opportunities that complement guest choices and boost revenue into the bargain.
Stock control/waste management –
This is a major issue at any time, and even more so now.
Aloha restaurant epos software’s stock control capability captures a full complement of data to provide a daily sales mix analysis and to enable you to view actual v. theoretical stock, helping you control your procurement and deal properly with suppliers.
Customer engagement –
Be their favourite restaurant and help them to support you by using the customer data captured by your restaurant epos software to offer them targeted offers that will definitely hit the mark.
The technology also helps you manage your social media, providing you with the ability to create an interactive community that your customers can enjoy, with valuable two-way engagement.
Discover how to boost customer loyalty.
Finding a way forward
At time of writing this blog, the government is still clarifying some of its rules – for instance, it has explained that the table service only applies to licensed premises.
Restaurateurs and bar owners remain torn between despair and optimism, and are arguing for restrictions to be eased.
In the meantime, hospitality operators across the UK are doing what they do best – getting on with things, and making the best of what they have at their disposal.
