Fast food automated ordering systems are powerful tools for improving efficiency and customer satisfaction at your restaurant.
There are various types of automated food ordering tech, including both hardware and software. But the important thing is that they work together in a coherent way with your other restaurant management systems.
In this blog post, we'll be exploring the various types of automated ordering systems that fast food restaurants can use, including self-service kiosks, online ordering software and mobile apps.
We'll also discuss the benefits of these systems and how they can help improve operations and the customer experience.
So whether you run an independent fast food restaurant or a larger chain, this guide will help you understand which ordering system is right for your quick service restaurant.
What is a fast food automated ordering system?
A fast food automated ordering system is a networked system of hardware and software that allows customers to place orders without interacting with a human employee. This can be done through a variety of channels, such as a website, mobile app or self-service kiosk.
These systems can be especially useful for fast food restaurants that offer delivery and takeout, as they can allow customers to place orders and make payments quickly and conveniently.
Fast food automated ordering systems are becoming more popular as a way to streamline operations and improve the customer experience at quick service restaurants.
Fast food restaurants can use the following types of automated ordering systems to improve operations:
- Self-service kiosks
Self-service kiosks are hardware and software units with touchscreens that allow customers to place orders and make payments without interacting with a human. These kiosks can be placed in the restaurant, at the drive-thru window or in a convenient location for takeout orders.
Fast food restaurants can use self-service kiosks to improve efficiency by reducing the workload for front-of-house staff and allowing customers to place orders more quickly and easily.
Online ordering
Online ordering systems allow customers to place orders and make payments through a restaurant’s website. Fast food restaurants can use online ordering to improve efficiency by reducing the burden on phone lines and front-of-house staff, and by making it easier for customers to place orders from their phones or computers.
Online ordering can include ordering directly from Google applications or social media channels, further reducing the steps someone needs to take to place an order.
Mobile apps
Mobile apps are downloadable customised software applications that can be accessed through a smartphone or tablet. They allow users to browse your menu, save preferences and checkout without repeatedly inputting the same information.
Mobile apps allow customers to easily browse menus, customise orders and track their delivery status for the most convenient possible ordering experience.
Orders from third-party marketplaces
An automated ordering system can take orders from third-party food delivery marketplaces directly into your restaurant POS. This avoids the need for multiple tablets at the counter and means staff don’t have to manually input orders from marketplaces into the POS system.
Benefits of a fast food automated ordering system
Fast food automated ordering systems can improve various aspects of service and management. Here are some of the biggest benefits with the highest impact:
Speed up service
Automated ordering systems can help speed up the ordering process for both customers and staff.
Customers can place orders quickly and easily through a website, mobile app or self-service kiosk.
Staff can process orders more efficiently using a digital system rather than manually taking orders and they don’t have to reinput orders coming from external channels.
Increase average order value
Automated ordering systems often allow customers to easily customise their orders, which can lead to a higher average order value. For example, customers may be more likely to add extras or side items if they can easily do so through an automated ordering system.
A digital ordering system never forgets to upsell and can even learn customer preferences and offer tailored suggestions to increase order value.
Reduce pressure on staff
Automated ordering systems can help reduce the pressure on front-of-house staff by taking on some of the tasks that they would normally have to handle, such as taking orders and processing payments.
Not only will this make your staff less stressed and happier with customers, but it can help free up their time to focus on other tasks, such as preparing food and cleaning.
Cut labour costs
Automated ordering systems can also help reduce labour costs by reducing the number of staff needed. Restaurants better handle high-volume periods as they can use automated systems to handle the influx of orders without needing to hire additional staff.
Invest in a unified fast food automated ordering system
Automated ordering systems can be a valuable asset for fast food restaurants looking to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction. From self-service kiosks to online ordering and mobile apps, the investment in the latest technology promises a big payoff in terms of reducing the workload for staff, speeding up the ordering process and enhancing the customer experience.
Remember to invest in a system that works seamlessly with your restaurant POS and other restaurant software and hardware – one driven by one data engine that can give you all the reports and data-driven insights you need to improve operations.