Why Your Restaurant Needs an App

January 21, 2019

We know, you’re a restaurant owner, not a developer or programmer. Let other people worry about apps, you just want to run your restaurant!

The truth is if you want to have a successful establishment, you have to take advantage of the technology that brings people in. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be hard, and the upside can be enormous!

Here’s why your restaurant needs an app, and how it will benefit your commercial kitchen.

 

Build Your Brand With Loyalty Programs

One of the easiest and best way to use an app is to create a loyalty program with it. No more having to manually punch cards, figure out how to track points, and more. Instead, do everything electronically through the app!

This also gives you maximum flexibility with your program. You can have points redeemable for a variety of items, giving the customer a lot of choices without straining your commercial kitchen.

A loyalty program helps build your brand and gives customers a reason to come see you again and again.

 

Allow Ordering Ahead With a Restaurant App

People love speed and convenience, so why not give it to them with a restaurant app? Allowing folks to browse your menu at their convenience and order ahead is a get additional sales. Some folks will never come to your restaurant – or will only come occasionally – but they may order takeout regularly.

Making this an option with an app is an easy way to integrate these orders with the normal work for your commercial kitchen to ensure your kitchen equipment is used efficiently. The ordering systems can be integrated, and the time of pickup can be part of the order.

Encourage additional revenue with little additional overhead by having an app where customers can order ahead!

 

Advertise Specials and Use Location-Specific Targeting

Having an app allows you to reach out to your customers in two unique ways. First, you can have app notifications that let your users know that you have a special, coupon, or other great deal. You can even use a notification to simply remind customers that their favorite food is ready to be ordered!

You can also use geo-location and targeting and deliver specific pop-up ads to users phones when they are within a specific range of your restaurant. You wouldn’t want to overuse this feature, but a nudge to come visit you when they are already in the area can definitely improve your sales.

 

Allow Restaurant Reservations

If your restaurant takes reservations, you know that some events and holidays have the phone ringing off the hook. Why not make it much easier for your commercial kitchen and your staff by allowing reservations on the app?

Having a calendar that updates real-time and shows available slots saves time and hassle for everyone. It also cuts down on mistakes and helps avoid overbooking.

An app is a great way for everyone in a party to determine when they can get together and schedule the reservation – saving your staff from endless calls, callbacks, and moving reservations.

 

Your Commercial Kitchen Needs an App!

From ordering to loyalty to reservations, an app can benefit your commercial kitchen in many ways. Best of all, once you’ve got the foundation, you can add additional features as you decide to roll them out.

Test out deals, try new menu items, or even poll your customers about what they’d like to see. An app has endless possibilities!

As you grow you’ll probably need additional restaurant supplies and equipment. We’re here to help. From cooking equipment to smallwares, we can get you the quotes you need. Contact us today!

Top Restaurant Technology Trends in 2018

Top Restaurant Technology Trends in 2018

When looking to buy restaurant supplies, you want to be on the leading edge of technology trends. This will keep your kitchen running smoothly.  Let’s take a look at some of the most recent trends in restaurant supplies technology. 1. New Payment Options Who would...

read more
5 Different Ice Shapes and Why You Should Care About Them

5 Different Ice Shapes and Why You Should Care About Them

Ice makers are very popular in the restaurant and foodservice community because they eliminate the need to buy ice every day. And of course, adding an ice maker to your collection of foodservice equipment means you will always have ice on hand when you need it. An...

read more
Choosing the Right Milk Cooler: Cold Wall or Forced Air?

Choosing the Right Milk Cooler: Cold Wall or Forced Air?

In a restaurant, milk is an essential to have on hand for coffee and other café-style beverages, for serving with kids’ meals, and as a key ingredient in many recipes. Keeping your milk properly chilled can be difficult without the proper restaurant equipment....

read more
How to Choose Your Next Commercial Meat Smoker

How to Choose Your Next Commercial Meat Smoker

The movies that connect with us on a personal level are the ones that linger in our memories forever. Anyone who has used a commercial meat smoker knows that they have a huge influence on the taste of a meal. You need to have just the right kitchen equipment to get a...

read more
Are High Speed Ovens Too Good to be True?

Are High Speed Ovens Too Good to be True?

You might have heard a few of the bold claims that foodservice equipment manufacturers have been making about high speed ovens, but they can’t be possible, right? Cooking three times as faster as regular ovens?  Five times as fast?  Fifteen times as fast?  It may seem...

read more
Choosing the Right Food Storage Containers for Your Restaurant

Choosing the Right Food Storage Containers for Your Restaurant

Choosing the right kitchen supplies will make a difference in your restaurant. Whether it is heavy duty kitchen equipment or food storage containers, each piece of equipment plays its own important role. Today, we are going to talk about how to choose the right food...

read more
Tipton’s Guide to Perfect Poultry Trussing

Tipton’s Guide to Perfect Poultry Trussing

Do you ever truss birds in your commercial kitchen? Trussing is a fantastic cooking technique because it makes poultry cook faster, look more attractive and taste better. If your commercial kitchen prepares poultry, you don’t want to miss these trussing tips. Trussing...

read more
How to Eliminate Excess Condensation in Your Kitchen

How to Eliminate Excess Condensation in Your Kitchen

Is your commercial kitchen getting steamy? If so, you could have more than just an uncomfortable working environment on your hands. Excess moisture in your commercial kitchen can result in the corrosion of equipment, the development of mold, and even damage to your...

read more
The DIY Guide to Your Restaurant’s Own Garden

The DIY Guide to Your Restaurant’s Own Garden

Stocking your restaurant supply with your own home-grown herbs and produce can truly bring your dishes to life. When it comes to food, everyone knows there’s nothing like homemade and home-grown. Having your own culinary garden, however large or small, can help you...

read more
5 Reasons a Meat Grinder Will Set Your Burgers Apart

5 Reasons a Meat Grinder Will Set Your Burgers Apart

The more you do to prepare your foods in-house with the right kitchen equipment, the fresher and more flavorful your dishes become. There are all sorts of restaurants offering fast-food style burgers, but some diners are looking for the real deal. A fresh, juicy...

read more
Pest Preventions to Implement in Your Commercial Kitchen

Pest Preventions to Implement in Your Commercial Kitchen

Restaurant pests: it’s something that few people want to think about. Like it or not, pest management is an essential consideration for every commercial kitchen. Offering food, shelter and water, the unprepared commercial kitchen naturally provides everything pests...

read more
Choosing the Right Material for Your Cooking Equipment

Choosing the Right Material for Your Cooking Equipment

Kitchens are very unique to their chef. Just like a car mechanic has a toolbox unique to them, so is the cooking equipment in a kitchen. And over time, the same cooking equipment become a natural extension of the chef. What tools are you using in your kitchen? It...

read more
Kitchen Hacks for Your Home

Kitchen Hacks for Your Home

Some people are naturally good at certain skills. We all know someone who is naturally book smart, athletic, or musically inclined. What makes you jealous of them is how easy they make tasks seem compared to you. One skill might be cooking. Your dream may not be...

read more