Quick service restaurants are among those who get the most benefit out of a restaurant management system – but there’s always one question they ask me first:
Can my quick service restaurant really grow while scaling back costs?
The answer is easy. Yes – you can do both at the same time.
Quick service restaurants can be difficult businesses to control – especially those based across a number of locations. That’s because they are complex businesses, and trade fluctuates.
There have been some high-profile problems recently among large groups including Jamie Oliver, Prezzo, and Byron. Who can be surprised? Costs are rising, labour is getting scarce and every customer pound is being fought over.
So how can a quick service restaurant EPOS system help boost your restaurant’s growth and reduce costs?
There are two parts to the answer:
- Business intelligence
- Enhanced customer service
Quick service restaurant EPOS software provides a restaurant owner with a complete end-to-end view of their operation thanks to excellent business intelligence.
And as well as that, it provides your hardworking staff with the technology they need to keep every guest satisfied.
The comprehensive reports provided by a quick service restaurant EPOS system contain real-time data on a wealth of business-related areas.
With that level of knowledge at your fingertips, thanks to mobile access via your smartphone or tablet, you can track what’s selling and what’s not – and even receive forecasts which helps you plan ahead and improve stock control thus reducing food waste and improving operating margins.
Business intelligence also helps improve labour control in quick service restaurants – always an issue, and particularly in the current climate, where Brexit is making filling posts a challenge.
Business intelligence provides deep insight into busy and quiet service times, taking away the guesswork. It means you always have the correct level of staffing at the right time.
The till also provides upselling prompts as the order is being placed, providing them with opportunities to boost revenue. The solution also manages combo meals with ease.
Self-service kiosks
Restaurant EPOS also integrates effortlessly with the latest in self-service kiosks for even quicker service – they’re hugely popular with customers who find them convenient and easy to use.
It also offers the ability to create meal combos – for example, burger, fries and a drink – that go down well in the fastest of outlets and provide immediate upselling opportunities in a self-service environment.
Marketing campaigns
Once they leave, the information your quick service restaurant EPOS has captured means you can create targeted email marketing campaigns that increase the chances of them coming back again.
Feedback from diners can also be used to enhance the customer journey through your website – and if anyone posts an adverse online review online during their meal, you are alerted so your staff can resolve the issue immediately.
Quick service restaurant EPOS systems can now be made available as a rental option, which is a benefit to restaurateurs. It means almost instant ROI and no major capital investment.
So does it work?
The estates and property manager of a multi-location quick service restaurant group said this:
“We like the efficiency of it in streamlining our business – it’s definitely saving us money in terms of time, efficiency and capturing data so we can identify trends.
“We also appreciate the way it helps you cut down on fraud – staff who might be tempted know they can’t get away with anything. It’s amazing for stock control – one of our biggest challenges – and it integrates well with our other platforms.”
That’s exactly what we thought. So if your quick service restaurant doesn’t have access to the power of technology, it’s time to give it the quick service restaurant EPOS it needs to keep that competitive edge.
