Where are my guests? And how can I win them back? These are questions that restaurateurs are often asking themselves at the moment. After two years of the Corona pandemic, what remains is a changed work culture with new working time models and a forced home office. In addition, inflation is not only causing problems for caterers, but is also making end customers tighten their belts. What can be done to remain competitive in the market?
Digital transformation offers different approaches to solutions for restaurateurs. In combination with innovative concepts, these can help win back guests. The biggest challenge, however, is reaching them in the first place. Problem solver: an own app. This opens up numerous new possibilities in mass catering. The ordering process alone is not only simplified, but also expanded at the same time: Guests can be catered for regardless of location and time.
The classic: Catering in the company restaurant
Classic catering in the company restaurant can be made much more pleasant for guests: Pre-ordering regardless of location and time saves waiting time. The Mittagstisch app allows users to view the current menu at any time and place orders - either as an immediate purchase directly in the company restaurant or as a pre-order taking into account defined deadlines. All order details are linked to a QR code. This only needs to be scanned for pickup at the serving counter.
In concrete terms, guests can place and pay for their order while still in the office or on their way to the company restaurant - leaving more time to enjoy their break.
The always available: catering at the vending machine
Food vending machines are being used more and more: They extend the range of services offered by the company restaurant beyond the opening hours and help to cater to employees around the clock.
Modern vending machines can be linked to the lunch app - (pre-)orders can thus also be placed using a smartphone, similar to the company restaurant. Here, too, the order is linked to a QR code that is scanned by the vending machine to dispense the goods. One advantage for the operator is that pre-orders allow him to fill the vending machine more in line with demand and thus avoid food waste. This also means that fresh and healthy meals can be offered - unstable rolls are a thing of the past.
The flexible: delivery directly to the office and home office
Reaching guests has become a real challenge in times of flexible working hours and home offices. An in-house delivery service puts these guests within reach again. By specifying an internal or external delivery address, employees & guests can also be catered for outside the restaurant. The consumption of high-quality food in the home office or thanks to delivery directly to the office remains guaranteed.
Experience has shown that this customer group usually even orders several portions. For example, for other family members or so that they don't have to do without the company restaurant's offerings for the next few days.
The payer: mobile payment makes it possible
Location- and time-independent ordering should inevitably be accompanied by mobile payment options. Reason: On the one hand, the customer's need for flexible payments is met and customer satisfaction is increased; on the other hand, only paid orders create commitment and thus security for restaurateurs. The integration of various payment options (e.g., SEPA direct debit, credit card, PayPal, and direct payroll accounting) makes it possible to pay for food and drinks securely and quickly directly via the Lunch app. The smartphone becomes the wallet for the communal catering.
Conclusion: over-all orderer, waiting time shortener, pocket cashier - this is how break goes today
Even if it is currently a major challenge to reach or win back guests - it is definitely feasible. With a modular app, ordering and payment processes can be expanded and made easier for customers. This creates a win-win situation for restaurateurs and guests: on the one hand, customers are easier to reach, and on the other, they benefit from simplified processes and more pleasant breaks. With the help of innovative concepts and digital solutions, it is also easy to answer the question "Where are my guests and how do I reach them?
