Tips and Tricks for Improving Your Customer’s Ordering Processes
Streamlining the ordering process in your cafe can help improve efficiency and increase customer satisfaction.
At your busiest times it is bad to have customers waiting in line. Worse is having customers turning around and walking out of your cafe when you have long lines of people waiting.
Your busiest time is also your staff’s most stressful period and when mistakes are most likely to happen. Bringing things back under control by streamlining your cafe’s ordering process helps staff, customers and your bottom-line. So let’s review what you can do for a better ordering process.
Offer pre-order options
Allowing customers to place orders in advance can help streamline the ordering process in your cafe. This is especially useful during peak hours, when customers may have to wait in line to place an order.
Use an online ordering system
Having an online ordering system allows customers to place orders from the comfort of their own homes, without having to wait in line at your cafe. This can help reduce the number of people in your cafe at any given time, improving efficiency and reducing the risk of overcrowding.
Implement a mobile ordering system
Similar to an online ordering system, a mobile ordering system allows customers to place orders using their phones. This is especially convenient for customers who are on the go, as they can place orders while they are en route to your cafe.
Use a point-of-sale (POS) system
A POS system can help streamline your cafe’s ordering process by allowing customers to place orders directly from the table, without having to wait for a server to take their order. This can help reduce the amount of time it takes for customers to place an order, improving efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Use technology to improve communication
Implementing technology such as a kitchen display system (KDS) can help improve communication between the front of house and the back of house, ensuring that orders are prepared and served in a timely manner.
Offer self-service options
Allowing customers to order and pay for their own food can help streamline the ordering process in your cafe. This is especially useful for customers who are in a hurry, as they can place their order and pay for it at the same time.
Train your staff
Ensuring that your staff is trained on the ordering process can help streamline the process and improve efficiency. This includes training them on how to use your POS system, how to take orders, and how to communicate with the kitchen.
Keep things organised
Maintaining an organised and orderly cafe can help streamline the ordering process. This includes keeping the menu organised and easy to read, ensuring tables are clean and free of clutter, and keeping the kitchen well-stocked with supplies.
Offer a loyalty program
Implementing a loyalty program can help streamline the ordering process by allowing customers to earn rewards and discounts for returning to your cafe. This can encourage customers to place orders more frequently, which can help streamline the process by reducing the need to constantly attract new customers.
Use customer feedback to improve
Gathering and acting on customer feedback can help you identify areas where you can streamline the ordering process in your cafe. For example, if customers frequently complain about long wait times, you may want to consider implementing a mobile ordering system or adding additional staff to help speed things up.
Overall, streamlining the ordering process in your cafe can help improve efficiency, reduce wait times, and increase customer satisfaction.
Doing things like using online and mobile ordering systems, implementing a POS system, offering pre-order options, using technology to improve communication, offering self-service options, training your staff, keeping things organised, and gathering customer feedback, help to streamline your cafe’s ordering process and ensure that your customers have a smooth and enjoyable experience.