The digitalization of the food industry
How restaurants can use online ordering systems to their advantage in 2022
The food industry has seen its fair share of changes in the last couple of years - perhaps none more important than the digitalization of restaurants. Restaurateurs are capitalizing on this trend sweeping across the industry in new and exciting ways.
In the wake of COVID-19, consumers increasingly look to online ordering as a way to connect with their favorite restaurants.
In this post, we’ll discuss how restaurants can use online ordering systems to increase their sales and build a stronger digital presence – reaching new audiences in the process.
How Can Restaurants Use Online Ordering Systems For Customers?
Consider the following statistics:
From 2019 to 2022, the percentage of people ordering food through a smartphone app increased by 36%, from 36.4 million users to 49.5 million users.
61% of consumers say that restaurant delivery apps are easier to use and their preferred method of ordering.
As a result, you see countless consumers turning to online ordering systems like GrubHub, DoorDash, and Uber Eats for their convenience. As more customers recognize the ease of ordering online, expect this trend to continue to grow.
There are two options for restaurants when it comes to delivery platforms. The first is to partner with a pre-existing delivery service like the ones listed above.
The pros of this partnership include reduced work for you and easy access to new customers. The cons include high fees (activation, transaction, and commission) and the fact that you have little control over the consumer experience.
That brings us to your second option, which is to keep delivery in-house. Self-delivery is a great way to build stronger relationships with your customers and avoid higher feeds, but it also requires more organization, effort, and labor on your part.
How Can Restaurants Use Online Ordering Systems For Themselves?
We all know about online ordering systems like UberEats, but the ones that exist for the restaurant & supplier relationship are less known to restaurateurs.
Before we get into exactly how you can use an online ordering system, let’s recap the benefits of having one in the first place:
Managing your orders from suppliers online saves you tons of time that you can use to better serve your customers
You can order and chat with all your suppliers in one centralized place. You never have to deal with constant back and forth communication again
You’ll reduce the number of mistakes that come with a manual process (smeared writing, losing the sheets in a mountain of paperwork, etc.)
Orders are much more customizable online, making it easier to add/delete items and specify unique instructions
When you add an online ordering system, you’ll have much more time on your hands to invest in your employees’ skills, engage customer feedback, and enhance your overall restaurant experience.
It’s no secret that the restaurant industry is becoming more digitalized by the day. It’s critical that all current and aspiring restaurateurs stay on top of this revolution by focusing at least some of their efforts on their digital presence.
One great way to do this is by implementing online ordering systems for themselves and for their customers.
How does Choco come into play? Well, the Choco online ordering app is built for restaurants to help them with their supplier relationships. As a restaurateur, you’re able to easily take care of the entire ordering process in seconds–saving you tons of time and cutting down on mistakes.