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Curbside: A Safe Way for Your Customers to Eat Out, Support Local Businesses

Content:

When it comes to restaurant ordering methods, online and call-in orders have continued to gain popularity amongst diners. Whether it is out of convenience or order accuracy, there are many benefits to both solutions. In this blog, we will discuss the pros and cons of both online ordering and call-in options to help you determine what is best to implement at your restaurant.

Customer preferences call-in order Vs Online orders

Benefits of Online Ordering

According to Zippia, online ordering accounts for almost 50% of all restaurant sales. Adding an online ordering option opens your business up to more potential and returning diners who prefer this method. In addition to consumer demand, online ordering helps to avoid input errors from your staff. Since the customer is entering in their information, they can add special instructions, input dietary restrictions, and any additional instructions to improve overall order accuracy. If you have a loyalty rewards program, you can enable customers to earn and redeem their points online, elevating the customer experience. With research suggesting that a 5% increase in customer retention can lead to a 25% to 95% increase in profit, having an online ordering solution is imperative to keep customers coming back.

Cons to Online Ordering

Although order accuracy and brand visibility are significantly improved through online ordering, there are a few downsides to this method as well. One issue, in particular, is order timing. When a restaurant is experiencing a rush, they may not have time to update the order status, making guests believe their food will be ready sooner than it actually is. In this case, you will need a system that automatically updates your order throttles so you can run a tight ship, even during a rush.

Benefits of Call-in & Call Center Ordering

Call centers are becoming the norm in the restaurant industry. They provide the perfect solution for businesses that are short-staffed, have rush hours, or don’t want to hire someone full-time. With a live operator on the other line, you won’t miss a single customer call, even during peak periods, saving your bottom line. This provides your floor staff more time to focus on dine-in customers and their needs.

With LINGA’s Call Center module, your call agents can input customer orders straight from their laptops to your point of sale system and kitchen display. This way, if a customer calls back with an edit to their order, the agent can apply the changes, which will then be implemented, notifying your kitchen staff of the new status. With the right call center, your restaurant can improve overall kitchen efficiency, leading to higher customer satisfaction. Another advantage call-in orders have is the live customer service diners receive versus simply ordering online. When a customer picks up the line to order, it is another opportunity to build a relationship with them.

Cons to Call Center Ordering

Although call centers can improve workflow, if it does not have a secure connection between your point of sale system and the call agent, it can be more trouble than it is worth. Without a two-way connection to your POS, if a customer calls in with an order change, an in-house employee will have to manually edit the ticket or notify the kitchen, taking precious time away from dine-in guests. When in a dinner rush, this is the last thing you want to occur.

When it comes to call-in versus online ordering, we believe that both options working in tandem are the best solution for a bustling restaurant, especially if you are a pizzeria. With online ordering, you can gain more loyal customers and increase your brand’s visibility, and with call-in orders, you can increase kitchen productivity and keep up with peak rush hours.

Relevant Blogs:-

Online Ordering, What Happens if I Don’t Offer It?

Online Ordering - Why Restaurants Should Start Now

Why Your Restaurant Needs an Online Ordering System

Text Content:

When it comes to restaurant ordering methods, online and call-in orders have continued to gain popularity amongst diners. Whether it is out of convenience or order accuracy, there are many benefits to both solutions. In this blog, we will discuss the pros and cons of both online ordering and call-in options to help you determine what is best to implement at your restaurant.

Customer preferences call-in order Vs Online orders

Benefits of Online Ordering

According to Zippia, online ordering accounts for almost 50% of all restaurant sales. Adding an online ordering option opens your business up to more potential and returning diners who prefer this method. In addition to consumer demand, online ordering helps to avoid input errors from your staff. Since the customer is entering in their information, they can add special instructions, input dietary restrictions, and any additional instructions to improve overall order accuracy. If you have a loyalty rewards program, you can enable customers to earn and redeem their points online, elevating the customer experience. With research suggesting that a 5% increase in customer retention can lead to a 25% to 95% increase in profit, having an online ordering solution is imperative to keep customers coming back.

Cons to Online Ordering

Although order accuracy and brand visibility are significantly improved through online ordering, there are a few downsides to this method as well. One issue, in particular, is order timing. When a restaurant is experiencing a rush, they may not have time to update the order status, making guests believe their food will be ready sooner than it actually is. In this case, you will need a system that automatically updates your order throttles so you can run a tight ship, even during a rush.

Benefits of Call-in & Call Center Ordering

Call centers are becoming the norm in the restaurant industry. They provide the perfect solution for businesses that are short-staffed, have rush hours, or don’t want to hire someone full-time. With a live operator on the other line, you won’t miss a single customer call, even during peak periods, saving your bottom line. This provides your floor staff more time to focus on dine-in customers and their needs.

With LINGA’s Call Center module, your call agents can input customer orders straight from their laptops to your point of sale system and kitchen display. This way, if a customer calls back with an edit to their order, the agent can apply the changes, which will then be implemented, notifying your kitchen staff of the new status. With the right call center, your restaurant can improve overall kitchen efficiency, leading to higher customer satisfaction. Another advantage call-in orders have is the live customer service diners receive versus simply ordering online. When a customer picks up the line to order, it is another opportunity to build a relationship with them.

Cons to Call Center Ordering

Although call centers can improve workflow, if it does not have a secure connection between your point of sale system and the call agent, it can be more trouble than it is worth. Without a two-way connection to your POS, if a customer calls in with an order change, an in-house employee will have to manually edit the ticket or notify the kitchen, taking precious time away from dine-in guests. When in a dinner rush, this is the last thing you want to occur.

When it comes to call-in versus online ordering, we believe that both options working in tandem are the best solution for a bustling restaurant, especially if you are a pizzeria. With online ordering, you can gain more loyal customers and increase your brand’s visibility, and with call-in orders, you can increase kitchen productivity and keep up with peak rush hours.

Relevant Blogs:-

Online Ordering, What Happens if I Don’t Offer It?

Online Ordering - Why Restaurants Should Start Now

Why Your Restaurant Needs an Online Ordering System

Stripped Content: When it comes to restaurant ordering methods, online and call-in orders have continued to gain popularity amongst diners. Whether it is out of convenience or order accuracy, there are many benefits to both solutions. In this blog, we will discuss the pros and cons of both online ordering and call-in options to help you determine what is best to implement at your restaurant. Benefits of Online Ordering According to Zippia, online ordering accounts for almost 50% of all restaurant sales. Adding an online ordering option opens your business up to more potential and returning diners who prefer this method. In addition to consumer demand, online ordering helps to avoid input errors from your staff. Since the customer is entering in their information, they can add special instructions, input dietary restrictions, and any additional instructions to improve overall order accuracy. If you have a loyalty rewards program, you can enable customers to earn and redeem their points online, elevating the customer experience. With research suggesting that a 5% increase in customer retention can lead to a 25% to 95% increase in profit, having an online ordering solution is imperative to keep customers coming back. Cons to Online Ordering Although order accuracy and brand visibility are significantly improved through online ordering, there are a few downsides to this method as well. One issue, in particular, is order timing. When a restaurant is experiencing a rush, they may not have time to update the order status, making guests believe their food will be ready sooner than it actually is. In this case, you will need a system that automatically updates your order throttles so you can run a tight ship, even during a rush. Benefits of Call-in & Call Center Ordering Call centers are becoming the norm in the restaurant industry. They provide the perfect solution for businesses that are short-staffed, have rush hours, or don’t want to hire someone full-time. With a live operator on the other line, you won’t miss a single customer call, even during peak periods, saving your bottom line. This provides your floor staff more time to focus on dine-in customers and their needs. With LINGA’s Call Center module, your call agents can input customer orders straight from their laptops to your point of sale system and kitchen display. This way, if a customer calls back with an edit to their order, the agent can apply the changes, which will then be implemented, notifying your kitchen staff of the new status. With the right call center, your restaurant can improve overall kitchen efficiency, leading to higher customer satisfaction. Another advantage call-in orders have is the live customer service diners receive versus simply ordering online. When a customer picks up the line to order, it is another opportunity to build a relationship with them. Cons to Call Center Ordering Although call centers can improve workflow, if it does not have a secure connection between your point of sale system and the call agent, it can be more trouble than it is worth. Without a two-way connection to your POS, if a customer calls in with an order change, an in-house employee will have to manually edit the ticket or notify the kitchen, taking precious time away from dine-in guests. When in a dinner rush, this is the last thing you want to occur. When it comes to call-in versus online ordering, we believe that both options working in tandem are the best solution for a bustling restaurant, especially if you are a pizzeria. With online ordering, you can gain more loyal customers and increase your brand’s visibility, and with call-in orders, you can increase kitchen productivity and keep up with peak rush hours. Relevant Blogs:- Online Ordering, What Happens if I Don’t Offer It? Online Ordering - Why Restaurants Should Start Now Why Your Restaurant Needs an Online Ordering System Word Count: 643 Estimated Reading Time: 3 Minutes

Curbside Ordering
Curbside Ordering

If you haven’t offered it yet, here’s why you should:

While many restaurants and retailers are struggling to stay open as much of the world waits behind closed doors during the COVID-19 lockdown, increasing numbers of business owners are adopting a new way of making their services accessible: contactless curbside delivery.

What is curbside?

The curbside pickup option, a concept that was created to improve customer experience, convenience and speed, has changed dramatically in recent months as the need for this business model is keeping many businesses operational, while providing a safe environment for employees and customers.

Curbside ordering, pickup and delivery is a safe and hygienic way for your customers to buy food and products during the Coronavirus pandemic. It allows customers to drive to their favorite restaurants and local stores and pick up their orders without ever getting out of the car. While small and medium businesses keep their staff safe (and employed) with curbside pickup options, they also succeed in meeting their customers’ demands. Customers can safely pick up their favorite items while they keep their distance from the employees and 3rd party delivery services.

Curbside ordering has not always been a popular option, but now it’s gaining momentum. It’s not only a much more valuable alternative to customers who are affected by the Coronavirus crisis, but it’s also an increasingly important option for restaurateurs and retailers to keep their business operational. KIBO’s Consumer Trends Report found that 67% of the 3,000 survey respondents used the curbside pickup in the past six months. Also, according to the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Industry Forecast, 46 percent of all customers – and more than half of frequent off-premises dinner customers and frequent quick-service customers –say they would use curbside options at table-service restaurants.

How does it work?

The concept is very simple:

  1. The Customer can order online, selecting the “Curbside Pickup/Delivery” option or via LINGA Call Center to place their order.
  2. The Customer provides the make, model and color of their car so that the server knows what car to bring the order to when the Customer arrives.
  3. Orders are paid online, on the phone or with a contactless payment option.
  4. Employees prepare the order.
  5. The Customer receives an email, SMS or a call when their order is ready.
  6. When customers park and parks in the designated area, they let you know that they have arrived by clicking the link LINGA sent them.
  7. The kitchen gets the notification.
  8. After verifying the order and customer, the staff brings the order directly to their car.

Benefits of curbside pickup

  • First and most importantly, you can stay open and keep serving your customers.
  • The curbside ordering concept is a safe alternative that doesn’t require your customers to leave their cars.
  • By limiting the amount of person-to-person contact, you can easily protect your employees.
  • While you keep your revenue coming in, you can also avoid overspending in these uncertain times by using up your existing inventory.
  • Driving to a restaurant may be the fastest option to buy food for your customers. With the curbside ordering feature, your customers can select a delivery time slot and pick up their orders easily on their time.
  • And best of all, you don’t have to pay for delivery costs anymore!

With LINGA, curbside functionality has never been this easier!

If you’re considering starting a curbside service, “LINGA online ordering and curbside pickup integration” is the best solution and it offers everything you need to run your business smoothly. While you can easily accept orders from online customers looking for delivery options nearby with a fast, easy, and powerful ordering platform, you can provide contactless delivery with curbside pickup and reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission all while still make your customers SMILE. 

The goal is reached. With no contact, no risk, all is easy and fast!

Try LINGA today and enjoy the convenience and safety of our curbside ordering feature right away!

Request your free demo here!

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