Five Online Ordering Trends in the Restaurant Industry

Online ordering systems are growing in popularity amongst both restaurants and consumers. They have been associated with increased revenue, improved capacity management, improved productivity, improved transactional marketing, and customer relationship management. While they increase ROI and customer loyalty for restaurants, they also offer consumers an easy, convenient way to order their food. Here are five trends within the usage of these innovative systems as interpreted from the 2011 Cornell Hospitality Report, The Current State of Online Food Ordering in the U.S. Restaurant Industry:

1.Consumers of pizza restaurants, followed by sandwich places, Mexican restaurants, and Asian restaurants, most frequently use online ordering systems. Restaurants that have a specific type of food on their menu most frequently implement online ordering systems. Their menus are more defined, not overwhelming customers when they go to order online.

 2.The usage of online ordering by consumers was most prevalent in fast-casual restaurants, followed by casual restaurants and quick-service restaurants. Restaurants that are known for their quick service as opposed to a leisurely sit down meal tend to use online ordering systems more. The fast service and ease of online ordering matches the service a customer would receive at a more casual restaurant.

3.The most common reasons customers use online ordering systems are for convenience, speed, order accuracy, ease of use, and credit card acceptance. Having a quick and easy way for customers to place orders drives them to order more from you, especially when they can do it from the comfort of their home!

4.Online ordering generates incremental revenue by increasing order frequency for takeout, delivery, and catering and increasing order volume and service. Restaurants using online ordering systems reported receiving more frequent orders and increases in group and catering orders due to the ease and convenience of placing an order online.

5. Online promotions associated with online ordering work better than regular promotions.Online ordering can provide restaurant operations with key customer information that can be used to develop targeted customer promotion strategies. Catering to your costumers makes their experience more personal and keeps them coming back to your restaurant!5.     Online promotions associated with online ordering work better than regular promotions.Online ordering can provide restaurant operations with key customer information that can be used to develop targeted customer promotion strategies. Catering to your costumers makes their experience more personal and keeps them coming back to your restaurant!

Online ordering systems are useful for both restaurants and consumers. They increase the amount of orders and revenue for restaurant while simultaneously making it quick, easy, and convenient for your customers to order food from your establishment. With online ordering, everybody benefits!

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By: Ashley Davis
MenuDrive
www.menudrive.com

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