Top 5 Features That Need to Be in All Restaurant Apps

These days, there’s an app for almost every activity imaginable—from finding a date to getting your car washed. One area where apps have rapidly grown, however, is in the restaurant industry.

With 40% of consumers preferring to order food through restaurant apps, there is an enormous opportunity for restaurants to increase customer engagement and loyalty by offering their own branded apps. However, if you’re new to this world or just looking for ways to improve your current platform, it can be tough to know where to start building your app or the features you should include.

Ready to learn how to leverage technology and attract more customers? Keep reading for a list of five core features for restaurant apps.

1. Menus

If you have a physical menu, scan it into your app and allow customers to view and order from it right away (or even better, customize it for each individual customer). This will make sure customers don’t have to wait for an employee to bring them a hard copy of the menu when they come in. Instead, they’ll be able to browse and make choices before arriving at the restaurant.

If you don’t have a printed version available yet, you can create one with a free menu builder.

2. Promotions and Loyalty Programs

Why do you go to a restaurant? Is it because of the food, or is it because they have awesome deals and promotions?

Promotions are an excellent way to attract new customers, as well as reward your existing ones. Getting repeat business is vital to keeping any business afloat. If you can get people in the door with freebies and loyalty points, you’ll increase cash flow and the likelihood they will return again and again to redeem those points.

3. Table Management and Reservation Scheduling

The best apps for restaurants allow guests to check in when they arrive at the restaurant and see their table number, as well as see what other party members have already checked-in or have yet to check-in (if it’s a larger group). The reservation system should be able to tell if there are open tables and automatically book them for the customer’s convenience when they select one of those open tables.

4. Waitlist

Waitlists help you manage customer flow. It’s necessary for any restaurant that wants to have happy customers, as it helps you ensure your wait times are manageable.

When someone books on your app, they are given a spot in line until you can seat them. When another table opens up, the waitlist app will notify them via text or email and give them the option of accepting or declining the offer. If they decline, their spot goes back into the system for others on your waitlist who may want it more than they did!

This way, everyone gets seated as quickly as possible—no one needs to sit at home waiting by the phone (or wandering around town).

5. Delivery and Takeout Ordering

Restaurant apps are great for making your business more accessible to customers. One of the best ways to do this is through takeout ordering. Your customers can place orders from their phones or computers, so you don’t have to answer the phone during the dinner rush.

You can also offer delivery services if you have enough staff on hand.

Build Modern, Easy-To-Use Restaurant Apps

With the help of these tips, you’ll be on your way to developing restaurant apps that will improve customer convenience and satisfaction. And if you want even more advice on how to wow your customers, check out our other blog posts.