Keeping diners happy should be the number one priority of any restaurant franchise.
There are so many aspects to consider for virtual food brands, from delicious food to stress-free ordering, super-speedy delivery and flawless customer service.
Implementing the right technology can give your business a competitive advantage – offering guests (and employees) a seamless experience from purchase to delivery. Whilst software does come with upfront costs, it’s an essential way of empowering your staff to deliver fantastic guest solutions.
With this in mind, here’s our three top picks of technology that’s simple to implement, easy to use, and makes a real difference to your business…
1. QR codes
With the disruption of Covid-19 over the past couple of years, many restaurants adopted QR codes for “at table ordering”. They’ve revolutionised in-house dining experience, but did you know they can also be used to delight food delivery customers?
Consider printing QR code stickers for your packaging. With a dynamic QR code, you can make changes and update the information it links to at any point.
This could link (for example) directly to your website to encourage repeat orders, Spotify music mixes, a behind the scenes video of food prep or customer experience surveys (offering rewards for completion).
It’s a cost effective, simple way that tech can revolutionise the delivery experience.
2. Automated inventory management
Effective inventory management is essential for fast-paced ghost kitchen brands. It helps you reduce food waste, cut down on unnecessary prep as well as eliminate under (and over) stocking.
Inventory management tools leverage data for accurate order forecasting – for instance by using average daily sales (adjusted for the day of the week, and season) to predict ordering needs.
This reporting can also be used to improve other aspects of your business, for instance predicting staff scheduling needs.
3. Consumer feedback platforms
We’ve previously written about the importance of amazing customer service – but to set about improving this, you’ve got to know what diners think of your virtual food brand in the first place!
Without traditional bricks and mortar establishments, communicating with customers can pose a challenge. Luckily though, there’s technology to help with that.
Tech platforms such as Ovation provide a “guest feedback interface” where consumers can interact directly with food franchises, via a two-question SMS survey. This allows business owners to follow-up with additional questions, promotional offers, or apologies if necessary.
These actions make guests feel heard and valued, whilst also encouraging repeat orders through marketing messages.
The data also provides “real-time” insights and easily accessible reporting on guest satisfaction. So if approval-ratings fall in a particular location, or on a particular day – you can easily look into this and resolve any problems.
Peckwater Brands empower kitchen owners to run successful delivery franchises. Our uniquely flexible concepts work alongside your existing brand, to deliver increased orders, revenue and profits.
From the latest technology to food delivery platform listings, staff training suppliers and recipes – we’re there every step of the way. You run the kitchen, we do the rest.
Topics from this blog: Tech
