Why Restaurants Should Use Mobile POS
Retailers are not the only ones adopting mobile POS technology in larger numbers. Restaurants, too, are fast moving into mobile POS, yielding them an expanded roster of capabilities and big benefits as a result. With mobile POS, dining establishments can:
1. Service outside seating areas
Many restaurateurs are adding outdoor seating to maximize their dining capacity. However, the traditional stationery POS systems used for order entry and payment processing in most restaurants are not well-suited for deployment in harsh outdoor environments. Requiring wait staff to head indoors to enter orders into these terminals is also not an optimal solution, as it hampers the efficient transfer of orders to the kitchen and can slow down the process of settling customers’ checks.
Deploying a mobile POS system eliminates all of these problems. With such a system in place, servers can transmit orders captured on mobile devices from outdoor areas straight to the kitchen—without using a stationery terminal. Payments accepted from customers can also be processed outdoors, with tableside signature capture occurring on mobile POS devices and receipts generated by wearable portable receipt printers. Not only does this help restaurateurs serve more customers at a time and increase operating efficiencies, it also is a less expensive option than stationery POS systems.
2. Accept orders tableside
Servers armed with hand-held devices can take orders right at the table. This improves the efficiency and accuracy of order-taking because, as with mobile POS technology used outdoors, orders are transmitted directly to the kitchen rather than being re-keyed into a terminal. The greater the speed at which orders are sent to the kitchen, the more quickly patrons receive their food and beverages, leading to enhanced customer service and increased table turns. According to some experts, tables turn an average of seven percent faster when mobile POS devices are used to handle orders. Employing mobile POS technology tableside also means diners can settle their checks faster, contributing to increased customer satisfaction and improving table turn rates.
Some restaurateurs go one step farther, implementing mobile POS devices for customers themselves to use at the table. The devices function as digital menus, permitting diners to search food and beverage options, place orders and, in some cases, pay their bill.
3. Capitalize on remote food and beverage sales opportunities
Savvy restaurateurs are expanding beyond the four walls of their establishments by selling food at local events, participating in “food fairs,” and the like. Some also set up temporary stands or carts outside their premises to serve a few select items, such as a signature dessert. Using such mobile POS devices as tablets or smartphones, restaurant employees can process payments on the spot rather than sacrifice sales opportunities because of an inability to accept payments other than cash.
With a wide variety of affordable tablets and other suitable hand-held devices now on the market, there is no reason for restaurants to hesitate to jump on the mobile POS bandwagon. Those who do so position themselves at great competitive advantage while simultaneously building their businesses.
