SOME OF THE MOST ASKED QUESTIONS About Managing Delivery Platforms
The rise in demand for food delivery services has completely changed the way restaurants operate, offering both challenges and opportunities for growth. In order to manage these platforms effectively, it's essential to have a strategic approach, thorough planning, and a deep understanding of customer preferences.
In this blog, we'll answer some of the most commonly asked questions about managing delivery platforms. From improving operational workflows to maintaining service quality, we'll explore practical strategies aimed at balancing the demands of both delivery and dine-in segments.
In an industry where adaptability and flexibility are crucial, we provide insights to help restaurant owners navigate the complexities and succeed in this ever-changing landscape. Join us as we dive into the intricacies of managing delivery platforms, equipping you with the knowledge and tools you need to thrive.
🔎 Here’s 5 of frequently asked questions:
1️⃣ How do I balance between completing delivery orders successfully and serving dine-in customers efficiently?
2️⃣ What strategies can I implement to minimise delivery times without compromising the quality of food for dine-in customers?
3️⃣ What technology solutions are available to streamline order management for delivery?
4️⃣ Are there any specific marketing tactics I should implement to promote both delivery and dine-in services effectively?
5️⃣ How can I optimise profitability on delivery platforms?
[1] How do I balance between completing delivery orders successfully and serving dine-in customers efficiently?
🏠 Different Stations: Allocate specific areas for handling delivery orders and dine-in customers. This helps in streamlining operations and avoiding confusion between orders.
🍳 Flexible Menu Options: Offer an optimised menu for delivery orders to accelerate preparation and delivery time, guaranteeing a good customer experience and a boost in average ticket size.
📊 Data Analytics: Use data analytics to predict peak hours. This allows you to allocate resources accordingly and prepare in advance for busy periods.
🖇️ Technology Integration: Invest in technology solutions such as pleez that can help you optimise sales, operations; and manage your delivery menus for you.
✅ Inventory Management: Keep track of inventory levels to avoid running out of popular items during peak times. This prevents delays in fulfilling orders and keeps both delivery and dine-in customers satisfied.
[2] What strategies can I implement to minimise delivery times without compromising the quality of food for dine-in customers?
🧑🏻🍳 Streamline Kitchen Processes: Optimise kitchen layout and workflows to minimise the time taken to prepare each dish. This can go from organising ingredients for easy access, to implementing standardised recipes, and training kitchen staff to work more efficiently;
⏳ Preparation Time Estimates: Have accurate estimates of how long it takes to prepare each menu item. This helps in managing customer expectations and ensures timely delivery or service.
✅ Inventory Management: Ensure that you have sufficient stock of ingredients to meet demand during peak hours, and make sure that you prioritise the sale of dishes that will help you finish existing stock.
🍽️ Menu Simplification: Simplify your menu to focus on dishes that can be prepared quickly without compromising quality. Focus on items that travel well and can maintain quality during delivery.
This reduces the complexity in the kitchen and speeds up order fulfilment.
💸 Dynamic Pricing: To motivate customers to order during off-peak hours. Offering discounts or promotions during slower times can help spread out delivery orders more evenly throughout the day.
💡 Collaborate with Delivery Partners: If you're using third-party delivery services, pleez has the necessary tools and features to optimise your menus on delivery platforms and make sure you are always one step ahead.
[3] What technology solutions are available to streamline order management for delivery?
🖥️ Order Management Systems (OMS): OMS platforms centralise order processing, allowing restaurants to manage orders from multiple delivery platforms seamlessly. These systems typically integrate with various delivery apps, consolidating incoming orders into a single interface for easier management. This means that all incoming orders will connect directly to your POS system, allowing you to manage them from a single device.
One good example of an OM is Deliverect.
🔎 Data Analytics Tools: Using data analytics tools allows restaurants to gain insights into customer trends, order patterns, and performance metrics. By analysing this data, restaurants can make informed decisions to optimise their delivery operations and enhance customer satisfaction - by
understanding customer behaviour and preferences, restaurants can now tailor their delivery offerings to meet individual needs effectively.
One great example is pleez, which also provides the option to have a dedicated Specialist doing the above, and applying the approved data-based recommendations to the menu.
✅ Inventory Management Software: Efficient inventory management is crucial for ensuring that restaurants have the necessary ingredients on hand to answer delivery orders promptly. Inventory management software tracks stock levels in real-time, automates replenishment processes, and helps prevent stockouts.
[4] Are there any specific marketing tactics I should implement to promote both delivery and dine-in services effectively?
🎯 Segmented Marketing Campaigns: Personalise your marketing campaigns to specific audiences based on their preferences and behaviours. For example, you can create separate campaigns for promoting delivery services to busy professionals and another for dine-in experiences to local residents or families.
🤑 Promotional Offers: You can offer promotions and discounts to persuade customers to try delivery. Consider offering a discount on the first delivery order, or offering a 2x1 discount - which is one of the most wanted ones. You can also try Cross-Promotion which allows you to promote your delivery services to dine-in customers and vice versa through flyers or promotional materials with dine-in orders promoting your delivery options.
📲 Share on Social Media: Leverage social media platforms to showcase your food offerings, highlight customer reviews, and promote your presence on platforms and promotions.
💌 Email Marketing: Send out regular newsletters with information about new menu items, your presence on delivery platforms, exclusive offers for both delivery and dine-in services, and possible Loyalty Programs - offer points or discounts for every order placed.
📸 Mouth-watering Visual Content: Invest in high-quality photography and videography to showcase your food and dining ambiance. Use visually appealing content on your website, social media channels, and delivery platform profiles to entice customers to order delivery or visit your restaurant.
The implementation of these marketing tactics, allows you to effectively promote both delivery and dine-in services, attract new customers, and boost loyalty among existing ones. Tailoring your marketing efforts to the unique needs and preferences of your target audience will help drive success in both areas of your restaurant business, just like tailoring your menu offers within delivery platforms.
[5] How can I optimise profitability on delivery platforms?
The easiest one, just talk with us. But we can also give you some lights in advance on what we can help you with:
💸 Pricing Strategy: We will analyse your menu and pricing to ensure that you're covering costs while remaining competitive. Consider adjusting prices for items sold on delivery platforms to account for platform fees and delivery costs, while having access to your competitor’s prices to guarantee that you are two steps ahead of them.
🍳 Strategic Menu Selection: Choose menu items that have a high profit margin or that you need end the stock. Focus on items that are popular with delivery customers and can be prepared efficiently.
🚀 Upselling and Cross-Selling: Encourage customers to add extras to their orders through upselling and cross-selling techniques. Offer bundled deals or promotions to increase the average order value and boost revenue.
For example, we had a client in the UK that was experiencing a high number of sales on recurrent customers but struggling to get new ones. So, we introduced a strategic move based on data from our Dashboard – free delivery exclusively for new
clients! Although what you might think, not only did we increase the number of new clients at every restaurant - this client has 4 different locations -, but we also retained the recurring ones. We increased sales by 30%-80%.
⚓️ Customer Retention Strategies: Offer incentives such as discounts, free items, or exclusive offers to reward loyal customers and increase retention.
🔎 Data Analysis and Optimisation: Our Dashboard allows you to use data analytics to track performance metrics such as order volume, average order value, sales, competitors price comparison and promotions. Analyse this data to identify trends, optimise pricing, and adapt menu offerings more effectively.
Continuously assess the performance of different delivery platforms in 1 plane only, to determine which ones offer the best return on investment.
… And that’s no all 👀