It's one of the most exciting innovations in the restaurant industry in recent years. And you've probably already experienced it yourself! It's called ordering at the table.Â
But what exactly is the concept of ordering at the table in restaurants? What are the advantages for restaurateurs? What about potential constraints? Innovorder answers all your questions in this comprehensive guide!
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Defining the concept of tabletop ordering
The order-at-the-table system allows customers to order and pay directly from their own smartphone or a tablet provided at their table. Among other things, you no longer need to ask your waiters to take your customers' orders at the table, since they do it themselves!
Flash, order and pay at restaurants using a QR code
In general, each table has its own QR Code. Your customers can directly access their digital menu and make their choice online. And because everything is linked, orders are automatically sent to your POS software!
How it works
Taking orders, yes, but not only that! The order-at-the-table system goes much further than that. In fact, this ingenious system allows your customers not only to order their meal, but also to pay their bill directly from their smartphone, in just a few clicks.
How does it work? It's so simple! All they have to do is scan the QR code on their table. Then they can access your restaurant's digital menu and place their order without having to wait for a waiter to take their order.
Once customers have chosen their meal, all they have to do is pay directly from their phone, using a secure online payment solution. There's no need to wait for restaurant staff to settle the bill, no need to take out a bank card or handle cash. It's all done in a matter of moments from your mobile device.
👉 To find out more: How to improve order taking in your restaurant
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The 7 advantages of ordering and paying at the table
There are many advantages to introducing table service in your restaurant!
1. Secure online processing of multiple payments
First and foremost, tabletop ordering provides an efficient solution for making multiple payments online. This system uses advanced technologies to guarantee the security of online transactions. Payment data is encrypted and stored in such a way as to prevent any risk of fraud or piracy. As a result, your customers can rest assured that their banking information is secure.
This integrated online payment solution lets your customers concentrate on what's important: enjoying tasty food and a friendly atmosphere. No more worries about complicated payments, ordering at the table offers an optimal dining experience, combining comfort and simplicity. And happy customers mean a positive image for your restaurant, and therefore more loyal customers (as well as attracting new ones!).
👉 Take it a step further: discover 6 ideas for building customer loyalty!
2. Save time for your teams and customers
Secondly, ordering at the table considerably improves the speed of service. Your customers no longer have to get up to order or wait long periods for their food and drink. They can simply type in their order on their phone, and the waiter will bring it to them in no time!
It's a real time-saver for everyone, and greatly improves the customer experience. As for your team, they can finally concentrate on their core business!
On average, restaurateurs save 12 minutes per table, because the process of taking and sending orders to the kitchen is accelerated. As a result, you can serve more people!
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3. A habit yet to be democratized
Although it is becoming increasingly common, the practice of ordering at the table is not yet widespread enough in restaurants. While some establishments have successfully adopted it, many others continue to rely on traditional ordering methods, which can often be slow and prone to miscommunication.
Why?Â
- The high cost of implementing this technology. Restaurant owners need to invest in tablets or screens, as well as reliable, easy-to-use tabletop ordering software. For smaller establishments, these costs can be a deterrent, although they are in fact an investment.
- Another reason is resistance to change. Some restaurateurs may be conservative in their service methods, and reluctant to change their traditional ordering practices. What's more, some customers may prefer to interact with a waiter to place their order.
However, despite these obstacles, more and more establishments are beginning to adopt tabletop ordering, in response to changing customer needs and the benefits this technology can bring.Â
These new tools available to restaurateurs are often invaluable for saving time and optimizing restaurant operations. And with good reason: 70% of managers surveyed believe that digital technology significantly improves the customer experience.
4. Order taking with fewer errors
To err is human, and order-taking errors are bound to happen! That's where the tabletop ordering system for restaurants comes in. With this modern, practical technology, your customers can order directly from the digital menu displayed on the screen.Â
No more writing down orders by hand and risking miscommunication between service staff and kitchen. With tabletop ordering, your customers can personalize their dishes according to their individual preferences and add comments or special instructions, guaranteeing an accurate order. In the end, it's a win-win situation for you: it saves time and means more satisfied customers will return to your restaurant!
5. A better view and management of menus
Ordering at the table offers many advantages in terms of visibility and improved management of available menus, ensuring that the dishes advertised are actually in stock.
Here are a few reasons why this system makes the job easier:
- Real-time updates: With tabletop ordering, menus and dish availability can be updated instantly. Your waiters can quickly report sold-out dishes or menu changes, and this information is immediately accessible to your customers via ordering devices.
- Precise information: With tabletop ordering, your customers have access to precise information on the dishes available. Detailed dish descriptions, accompanied by attractive images, enable them to make informed choices. In this way, they avoid the disappointment of ordering a dish that is, for example, no longer available.
- Automated inventory management: Tabletop ordering facilitates inventory management by providing real-time data on dishes ordered. You can better anticipate your supply needs, avoid stock-outs and reduce losses linked to unsold food.
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6. Split the bill among all customers
You've probably already experienced that moment when a large table starts dividing up the bill between everyone. The result? A waste of time for both your restaurant and your customers! One of the biggest benefits of the pay-at-table system is that everyone can pay for their own dish from their own table. A true digital revolution that will save you precious time!
7. Increased sales
What's more, ordering at the table can help you increase sales. Customers can easily add extras to their order or choose additional options thanks to this convenient feature. This can help you generate additional revenue, and see your profitability improve.
Finally, ordering at the table can help you build customer loyalty. People love the convenience of this solution, and will be more inclined to return to the establishment if table ordering is available. What's more, this technology can be used to collect data on your customers' ordering habits, which can help you provide personalized offers and further enhance the customer experience!
Would you also like to be tempted by the tabletop ordering system? As you've seen, the advantages are numerous, both in terms of saving time and improving the experience of your customers in your restaurant!Â
All in all, it's a long-term investment that will enable you to be more productive and concentrate on the most important tasks: pampering your customers from A to Z and serving them good food.
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Video presentation of the QR code tabletop ordering solution
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Would you like to digitize your restaurant's customer journey to boost productivity? Contact an Innovorder consultant and ask for a free appraisal!
