25 Aug 3 Business Solutions to Future-Proof Your Restaurant Operations
The restaurant business is one of the oldest trades in the world. In Salzburg, Austria, nestled within the walls of St. Peter’s Abbey, restaurant St. Peter Stiftskeller has been serving up traditional Austrian cuisine since 803 AD. And now, they even offer takeout. Lately, the business landscape has been less than predictable, but restaurateurs that embrace flexibility and innovation are finding ways to thrive. Here are 3 business solutions to help you future-proof your restaurant operations:
1. Online Ordering
Until COVID-19 hit, online ordering was an afterthought for a lot of restaurants. Now, online ordering is a necessity. Restaurants that quickly transitioned their operations to encourage online ordering and curbside delivery were able to continue working and turning a profit while their less innovative competitors scrambled to adjust.
And this is one trend that may never return to normal. In a recent survey conducted by tech company Medallia Zingle, 87% of respondents indicated they want restaurants to continue offering curbside pick-up. But take care to implement curbside delivery well—45% of respondents reported receiving poor curbside service. And there’s one more big benefit to curbside: it’s free. You’re not paying a fee like you would with delivery partnerships like those offered by UberEats, GrubHub, etc.
To prevent operational hiccups, invest in a restaurant management and point of sale system with the following features (we recommend the Clover platform):
Order Ahead
Accept payments over the phone or allow your customers to add items to a shopping cart and seamlessly checkout online.
Autopay
Autopay functionality through an app allows customers to safely store card information for future purchases. This makes it easier for your regulars to keep supporting your restaurant, whether they’re dining in or picking up. Many apps, like Clover’s autopay app on Android and iOS, also have rewards programs for your loyal customers.
Gift Cards
Offering gift cards on your website doesn’t have to be difficult. Many point of sale and restaurant management systems let you sell digital gift cards in increments of $5, at no additional cost to you!
2. Contactless Payments
Paying with a mobile wallet or EMV chip card is as easy as 1-2-3. Just look, tap, and you’re on your way!
Cash spending is down and contactless payments—like EMV chip cards and mobile wallets—are on the rise. In its Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland and Virginia locations, Chick-Fil-A has even shifted to a strictly cashless model. This technology, also called Near Field Communication (NFC), allows customers to easily and safely make a payment and saves restaurant staff valuable time.
In Q1 of this year, Mastercard reported a whopping 40% jump in contactless transactions. In response, the card associations (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and AMEX) have increased Card Verification Method (CVM) limits. Put simply, this just means that signatures are no longer required on contactless purchases under $100 (for Visa, Mastercard, and Discover) and under $200 (for AMEX).
3. Social Media & Web Listings
If we’ve learned one thing from 2020, it’s that things can change quickly. Now and in the future, it’s imperative that information and updates from your restaurant are accessible to customers on-demand. Many consumers decide to dine-out on a whim, so make sure it’s easy for customers to know what, if anything, you’re doing differently. Are you offering curbside only? A streamlined menu? Patio seating?
If you don’t already have a website, consider getting one. A Facebook, Google, or Yelp business page is a quick (and free!) alternative. Let the world know that you’re still in business! Let them know about your specials, delivery and payment options, changes in hours or menu offerings, etc.
Some restaurant operations have even turned inventory pitfalls to their advantage. Here’s an example: Sushi Restaurant Sayachi has struggled with high demand and low supply for a number of items. To make sure their customers aren’t disappointed, they update their Facebook and Instagram pages every single day with information on what shipments they just received, and how their inventory is looking. Then, if it’s near closing time and they haven’t sold out, they run flash evening specials to clear out the rest of their inventory.
Final thoughts
Award-winning architect David Rockwell said, “What makes my job so great is there’s no one answer that’s right for every restaurant.” The same is true when it comes to finding point of sale and management solutions for your operation.
If you’re looking for tools and support to boost your restaurant’s revenue while streamlining operations, BASYS Processing can help! We’ll work one-on-one with you to find the perfect solution to manage your business, so you can start planning for future success! To learn more about our solutions, click here, or contact us for a free savings analysis.
BASYS Processing as a business partner
Does your current processor understand the unique struggles of your industry? Do they provide great rates and personal customer service? Are they offering solutions to grow your business and being proactive about helping you reduce risk and increase your savings?
Contact BASYS today to learn more about innovative payment solutions that will save you time and money. We make accepting debit cards and credit cards convenient, safe and affordable.
BASYS Processing features:
• A friendly, live voice will answer the phone when you call; no automated phone systems
• In-house PCI Compliance team to walk you through the process step-by-step, improving security and reducing costs
• Accept payments in person, over the phone or online
• Next-day funding options
About BASYS Processing
BASYS Processing provides credit card and debit card processing services, plus solutions that include terminals, virtual terminals, e-commerce, mobile, and point-of-sale, customized to fit any need. Banks, associations, and software partners depend on us to strengthen their reputations and relationships with their customers by providing remarkable service paired with ultimate flexibility and pricing. Merchants depend on us to make accepting credit cards and debit cards convenient, safe & affordable. BASYS was founded in 2002 on one philosophy: to take care of our merchants, partners, and employees so they never want to leave. We are dedicated to working one-on-one with our customers to design the perfect solution. BASYS is Personal Payment Processing.
Learn more at basyspro.com, and connect with us online at: