This site uses cookies to improve your experience. To help us insure we adhere to various privacy regulations, please select your country/region of residence. If you do not select a country, we will assume you are from the United States. Select your Cookie Settings or view our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Cookie Settings
Cookies and similar technologies are used on this website for proper function of the website, for tracking performance analytics and for marketing purposes. We and some of our third-party providers may use cookie data for various purposes. Please review the cookie settings below and choose your preference.
Used for the proper function of the website
Used for monitoring website traffic and interactions
Cookie Settings
Cookies and similar technologies are used on this website for proper function of the website, for tracking performance analytics and for marketing purposes. We and some of our third-party providers may use cookie data for various purposes. Please review the cookie settings below and choose your preference.
Strictly Necessary: Used for the proper function of the website
Performance/Analytics: Used for monitoring website traffic and interactions
“This enduring customer loyalty drives the restaurant industry forward, creating clear opportunities for restaurants to enhance the dining experience through strategic limited time offers, efficient delivery and exceptional in-person service," said Samir Zabaneh, CEO of TouchBistro.
When consumers order more food online, it’s clearly good for business – but it can also make it harder for businesses to manage inventory. In 2025, restaurants need to have a plan in place that ensures they are effectively managing inventory and redirecting unused, still edible food to donations.
Customers expect seamless online ordering, loyaltyprograms, and delivery options, and franchise systems need to invest in tech to stay competitive. Customers expect seamless online ordering, loyaltyprograms, and delivery options, and franchise systems need to invest in tech to stay competitive.
A strong POS system can streamline operations, inventory and menu management, assist with staffing shortages and scheduling conflicts, as well as assist with sorting through data and sales patterns to help personalize marketing campaigns in a new location. Tracking inventory can prevent unnecessary and costly food waste.
Reliable experiences build brand loyalty, and systemic processes lead to reliable profit margins. The operational trifecta of inventory management, financial oversight, and labor scheduling represents a major drain on resources for most chain restaurants.
The report found that loyalty is eroding as brands worked hard to offer new limited time offers, value meals, upgraded loyaltyprograms, and digital innovations. Brand loyalty has also shifted significantly, with 33 percent of consumers saying their favorite QSR or FSR brand has changed within the past year.
Mobile ordering has become the preferred method for customers, with 71% saying they would rather use a restaurants branded mobile app over third-party platforms because its more affordable, easy to use, and personalized due to loyaltyprograms. Inventory and supply chain apps. Here is an example of a restaurants branded app.
Every online order, email sign up, and reward program interaction generates valuable insightsbut if that data just sits there, youre missing a major opportunity. You can also use sales trends to adjust menu pricing and share customer-favorite menu items, helping you get the most out of high-demand dishes.
Additionally, digital inventory management systems provide real-time stock updates, helping maintain optimal inventory levels, reduce waste, and ensure the availability of ingredients. AI-driven predictive analytics, for instance, help forecast demand, manage inventory, and reduce food waste.
Restaurants can optimize their menu by highlighting delivery-friendly items, improve kitchen workflows through better station organization, and track prep times to identify bottlenecks. Promotions & Discounts: Limited-time deals and loyaltyprograms can incentivize more online orders. Portion size.
An inventory management system with automated restocking alerts keeps your stock levels in check. If customer retention is a priority consider a digital loyaltyprogram or automated marketing tools. Real-Time Data & Analytics : Track sales trends, top-selling menu items, and peak business hours to make informed decisions.
Depending on a guest’s allergies or dietary preferences, AI can suggest personal picks from a restaurant’s menu, for example. This level of customization not only enhances guest satisfaction but also drives customer loyalty, which is crucial in our competitive market.
Dole Out Digital Deals Growing your digital presence enables you to level up your loyaltyprogram and marketing campaigns. This is where automation and leveraging data to drive personalized marketing can make a big impact – building on their sense of loyalty and helping drive connection to your restaurant for your customers.
Your inventory on hand. LoyaltyPrograms. When registering for a loyalty, your customers give you some of their information to qualify. Loyaltyprograms also allow you to collect behavioral data. If some menu items are consistently added to orders but never actually ordered it could signal a problem.
Personalization is a key ingredient to dishing up a comprehensive customer experience, capturing valuable data and enabling brands to reach out to customers though several touchpoints that create the customer journey: the drive-thru, menu board, branded apps, kiosks and loyaltyprograms.
Cloud-based restaurant management software solutions enable food service operators to access everything from personnel to payments to back-of-house operations and incorporate loyaltyprograms from any channel the customer uses in real-time. Time to Get Your Head in the Cloud.
When integrated with other systems, it allows for easy syncing with online orders and real-time inventory management, making operations smoother and more organized. Staff and Inventory Management: Proper scheduling and inventory management are crucial for independent restaurants.
Menus were trimmed to a fraction of original size. Inventory stock changed significantly. By improving customer loyalty and increasing revenue through the smart use of technology from the public-facing part of the business all the way to the back-of-house prep, sourcing, and staffing.
Navigating the sea of technical options can feel like deciphering a menu in a foreign language. Common challenges include managing inventory across multiple locations, maintaining consistent brand identity, quality and service, and effectively analyzing data to make strategic decisions.
Additional findings inlcude increased inventory costs caused the greatest financial strain for operators in 2021 with 33 percent citing it as their top expense, followed closely by rent (30 percent) and labor (30 percent). In most cases, new menu offerings involved adding takeout and delivery options.
In 2025, more plant-based menu items will be appearing at an incredible rate of speed as well. There are new technologies coming out for restaurants that will help them better track inventory, analyze their purchases and calculate waste. It also means fewer chef-driven creative specials and more management-driven menu items.
Every day, youre juggling staff, food quality, inventory, customer service, purchasing, and moreall while trying to cultivate a dining experience that wows your customers enough to keep them coming back. Its tough, and cant be done passively. Financial Management At the end of the day, a restaurant needs to be profitable to survive.
Photos of your menu items, ambiance, and even happy customers will give potential guests a glimpse of the dining experience you offer. Use it to share updates, special events, or new menu items. Create engaging email newsletters that have a clear purpose, such as promoting an event, offering a discount, or sharing a seasonal menu.
The concept now branded Freshii WFH (Work From Home), is an offshoot of their COVID response program, which focused on local hospitals and provided meals to front-line doctors and nurses in a safe and timely fashion. and grocery boxes delivered directly to home offices. It’s been well received, truly a win-win for everyone involved.”
AI is a program developed by humans to respond to a set of instructions under specific environments. AI programs factor in various variables like human response patterns, scenarios, locations, languages, and more to deliver what is expected of them. But before we learn more about it, here is a quick recap of what AI and ML are.
Full-service menu prices climbed 4.5 They’re using that information for myriad purposes—from effectively managing inventory to launching new menu items. For example, restaurant operators can use POS data to develop tailored deals, specials and loyalty rewards. percent between December 2022 and 2023.
POS systems do more than just process payments they enable restaurants to personalize menus by analyzing customer data. Learn more in our latest post: How POS Systems Enable Menu Personalization. Real-Time Updates : Adjust menus instantly for accuracy and relevance. Improves Operations : Smarter inventory and menu management.
Other advancements include: integrating data from various sources, including social media, reviews, and loyaltyprograms, to gain a holistic view of customer behaviour as well as as well as the implementation of real-time analytics for immediate insights into customer behaviour and preferences. Nothing is fraud proof.
The research found that businesses worldwide – particularly restaurants – intend to experiment more in 2025, especially with customer retention programs like loyalty, as they face the triple challenge of sustained high inflation, shrinking consumer wallets and the need to raise prices across the board.
Despite challenges including inventory costs, commission fees and staff turnover, many restaurant owners are expressing optimism about moving forward, according to TouchBistro’s 2024 State of Restaurants Report. What can restaurant operators do to better handle inventory and labor challenges?
For example, it's possible to track when restaurant employees clock in for their shift or which menu item performs the best. Restaurant owners or managers would rather spend time on other meaningful tasks, such as recruiting and hiring, training chefs, or updating daily specials on the menu. Everything nowadays is trackable.
Brands find themselves at a pivotal juncture, where they have the opportunity to both captivate customers and secure their loyalty through a thoughtful blend of innovation and tradition. Familiar, nostalgic menu items draw them in.
Accurate forecasts help drive “smart” restaurant operations, like using daily sales to drive inventory decisions in smart ordering or smart prep. Research has long suggested service with a smile reinforces the relationship between restaurant and customer, increasing tips and loyalty. Let’s Not Get Too Personal.
The next youre racing to keep inventory stocked while customers wait for tables. Give them a week of shadowing seasoned staff, clear checklists like Greet tables in 2 minutes or Check orders before they leave the pass, and a full menu rundownspecials included. Free meals after long shifts or a staff pick on the menu build camaraderie.
These advanced tools empower restaurants to create personalized offers, track customer data, and automate processes to enhance customer loyalty and streamline operations. LoyaltyPrograms : Built-in systems to reward customers and trigger special occasion perks automatically.
Today, more than ever, restaurants are turning to custom-built apps to improve convenience, streamline operations, and foster customer loyalty. Building a food delivery app for your restaurant can help you expand your reach, streamline operations, and foster customer loyalty. Inventory management to keep track of stock levels.
In this edition of MRM Research Roundup, we feature pizza predictions, Valentine's Day menu trends and lots about loyalty. Valentine's Menu Trends Restaurant guests heavily favor tasting menus this Valentine’s season, according to Lightspeed. percent dip in overall gratuities.
Smart Cost-Cutting Strategies for Restaurants Effective inventory management requires a well-trained, organized team using consistent routines, streamlined processes, accurate par levels, menu cross-utilization, and reliable inventory software to minimize waste and maintain efficiency.
Review menu items and strip away the slow movers. Slow movers tie up inventory -and the cash needed to by that inventory. Reduce portion sizes slightly to maintain menu prices but account for increased costs. . – Richard Patrick, Co-Founder of Cathead Distillery.
COGS = Beginning Inventory + Purchases Ending Inventory To calculate your Cost of Goods Sold, you start with the value of your inventory at the beginning of a set period, add any new purchases youve made during that time, then subtract the value of your remaining inventory at the end of the period.
Cheaper ingredients and smaller portions can take a toll on your customers loyalty, and thats a cost no restaurant owner can afford. Good inventory management tools can alert you to fluctuating food prices and help you adjust menu prices appropriately. So, how do you keep restaurant food costs down without sacrificing quality?
Finally, they should understand inventories of their highest and lowest margin items and produce incentives accordingly. You know, the usual in 2021. They should understand a customer’s lifetime value. Third, they should understand fundamental processes in testing and optimization.
Streamlining Inventory and Menu Studies show that restaurants waste an average of four percent to 10 percent of all the inventory they purchase. For instance, if table turnover rates are lagging, it might be time to train staff for faster service or tweak the menu for speedier dish preparation.
Finally, digital ordering helps restaurants foster digital relationships with their customers that can be used to drive loyalty, form personalized recommendations, and ultimately help drive revenue. Exhibit A: Starbucks launched their loyaltyprogram happy hour where customers can redeem a BOGO promotional offer and earn double stars.
We organize all of the trending information in your field so you don't have to. Join 49,000+ users and stay up to date on the latest articles your peers are reading.
You know about us, now we want to get to know you!
Let's personalize your content
Let's get even more personalized
We recognize your account from another site in our network, please click 'Send Email' below to continue with verifying your account and setting a password.
Let's personalize your content