Numbers You Can’t Ignore

Posted by Tim on February 20, 2015

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Statistics, Online Ordering for Restaurants, Technology, Restaurant Statistics, Whitepaper

A number that everyone in the restaurant industry has consistently speculated about was recently revealed. According to BI Intelligence, Americans spend $70 billion a year for takeout and delivery of restaurant food. Of that amount, the share that is ordered online is a whopping $9 billion, or just under 13%.

Here are some other important numbers to consider:

•   When restaurants enable online ordering, total orders per month at their establishment increase by an average of 11%.

•   The mobile component of digital ordering is growing at an even faster rate and now makes up about 23% of online food orders.

•   An online customer is more likely to re-order within 60 days, compared to a walk-in customer, simply because online ordering is so convenient.

With these kinds of numbers, the next question becomes, what type of online ordering should you choose for your restaurant?

•   Branded or Not? NetWaiter is a branded online ordering system. As opposed to portals, which feature hundreds of restaurants, NetWaiter provides an online ordering site specific to your restaurant, reflecting the look and feel of your brand.

•   Get Paid or Not? NetWaiter processes payments instantly and directly to clients. Portals are infamous for charging customers directly and then holding onto the money for weeks or longer. Full control over payment processing is an important question to answer.

•   Mobile or Not? The numbers clearly indicate how critical mobile ordering is to your restaurant. Make sure your site is fully functional on all mobile devices.

•   Customer Access or Not? Online ordering opens up a world of opportunities for restaurants. Having access to your customer information is the first step to maximizing those benefits. Not all systems provide that access, especially portals.

If you already have a NetWaiter site, rest easy knowing that you have the premier online ordering system in the industry. If you want to read more about implementing online ordering and the various options available to restaurants, read this whitepaper from NetWaiter.

What to Talk About on Social Media

Posted by Tim on February 11, 2015

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NetWaiter, Email Marketing, Online Ordering for Restaurants, Social Media, Menu Descriptions, Employee Involvement

When it comes to social media, your restaurant probably has one or all three of the following: a Facebook page, a Twitter account, and a presence on Instagram.

What should you talk about?

A recent survey of more than 1,200 restaurant consumers asked what guides their choices when they decide where to dine or order takeout/delivery.

83% said that treating employees well is important. Highlight your employee-of-the-month on social media. Did someone get a promotion, graduate from college, or do something great for a customer? That’s more social media material.
73% indicated that support of their local community influences their restaurant choice. When you support a local community event, take some photos and post them online. It makes a difference.
When you promote menu items, keywords such as “fresh”, “locally-sourced”, “whole grain”, and anything “all-natural” are great to mention.

And to no one’s surprise …

The survey revealed that the convenience of an online ordering system shares the top spot with taste and quality, which is why you should always make your online ordering easily available to all customers.

Will the Practice of Tipping Change?

Posted by Tim on January 29, 2015

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Tipping, Tips, Customer Experience, Customer Convenience