Omnichannel is a concept that was applied exclusively to retail brands earlier. But today, it is a successful model that is used by organizations across multiple industries, including the food and restaurant business. A restaurant consultant can help you plan your business with an omnichannel approach.
What is an Omnichannel restaurant?
The restaurant industry is experiencing a transformation. Consumers today want to order their food fast, wherever they are, whenever they want. A seamless and connected customer experience is a must for a restaurant’s reputation, not just a good-to-have. Consumer needs are driving the omnichannel trend. For restaurants, it means providing multiple ways to order, pay, and get their meals.
Why should your restaurant aspire to be Omnichannel?
To reach both new and different customers and create additional revenue streams, you need to open new restaurants at different locations. To avoid that cost, omnichannel is a better approach. And let’s not forget that multiple convenient ordering options, both online and offline, is exactly what customer is looking for.
How to build a successful omnichannel operation?
To win at omnichannel, you need to make use of technology in a number of ways. Technology allows your consumers to book their tables online, give feedback on their experiences, and follow your business closely.
It also makes it possible for your customers to order online, with food delivery apps, from click & collect stores, through a QR code, or at a booth in your restaurant.
Secure payment, browsing the online menu, tracking delivery orders, rating your restaurant: all these operations wouldn’t be possible without today’s extensive suite of technologies.
But along with that, your restaurant has to be able to process all these different types of transactions in a consistent and efficient way. If you are not able to handle the demand effortlessly, being on multiple platforms will backfire in no time. So if you need proper guidance with Omnichannel presence, you can take the help of a restaurant consultant.
That’s why it’s important to integrate as many channels as possible into your restaurant’s system – and other business systems for personnel planning, inventory management, reporting, etc.
By ensuring that your online delivery and takeout orders and your desk and QR orders are flowing into your point of sale. You can provide an excellent experience while focusing on your business of preparing and serving delicious food.
The omnichannel restaurant is future-proof:
Businesses are now relying on omnichannel strategies more than ever mainly because of technologies such as online ordering, takeout, delivery, curbside pickup, etc., to encourage business. Diverting your resources can help your restaurant maintain and grow your customer base now and in the future.
Advantages of omnichannel approach:
It is a challenge to set omnichannel up and get it running smoothly, the result is a streamlined customer experience that delivers on the insatiable modern demand for convenience.
With multiple channels aligned, you can capture more customer data in your POS, make sure it is accurate, and use it in various ways to improve your operations and marketing.
If the right system is put in place so that your systems are efficient and your data is clean, this will foster happiness in your staff and they will be able to work with more efficiency.
Challenges of omnichannel approach:
When there are more channels added you are likely to be outsourcing at least some of the additional work. This means managing third parties and delivery partners.
There’s no getting around the fact that managing multiple channels in a seamless way will take up more resources. You may need more staff to handle higher order volumes and to manage the multiple avenues through which customers can find you.
One of the downsides of the omnichannel approach is that you will have to take out multiple subscriptions to tech providers. These monthly payments can add up to a hefty bill.
The major challenge here is to implement the right systems for your restaurant and get them to work. If you can get this right, you can take advantage of the benefits of the omnichannel approach to provide a seamless customer experience, while optimizing your reach and data flow. You can reach us at HPG. We are restaurant consultants and can help you design your restaurant and help with technology to grow your business.