How EZ-Chow’s Online Ordering Solution Boosts Restaurant Revenue

Over the years, we’ve witnessed a dramatic shift in customers opting for the convenience of online ordering over dining in or takeout. More and more customers are looking for restaurants to deliver their meals to their homes. You will find that the restaurants that offer online ordering to their customers witness a higher revenue than those that do not. Check out some statistics that will help you gauge their effectiveness:

Implementing an online ordering solution is no longer just an option; it’s necessary. When you offer your customers the convenience of online ordering, your revenue increases. EZ-Chow understands this and is here to help you achieve it.
Our digital ordering solutions are leading the way in helping restaurants deliver exceptional convenience to customers while boosting their revenue. Our user-friendly platform, with intuitive features, easily integrates with your POS systems to streamline the order intake process. But if you are wondering how our online ordering solution will help you generate 2x revenue, we have created this blog to explain just that.

1. The Power of Branded Online Ordering

One of the most significant ways EZ-Chow can boost your restaurant’s revenue is by increasing the average order value. Online ordering platforms have been proven to encourage customers to spend more per order than traditional in-person or phone orders.

A study conducted by Statista found that 34% of consumers spend about $50 on one order when they order online. [Source]

The reason for this increase in average order value can be threefold:

2. The Role of Branding in Online Ordering

Managing a loyalty program can be challenging, especially when disconnected from your online ordering platform. This is where EZ-Chow seamlessly integrates with your existing loyalty programs, making it easier than ever to retain and reward your most valuable customers.

With EZ-Chow, your loyalty program members can earn and redeem points directly through the online ordering interface, creating a seamless and convenient experience. This level of integration not only enhances customer satisfaction but also encourages more frequent online orders, as diners are incentivized to accumulate rewards and take advantage of exclusive offers. This direct benefit to your customers can significantly boost their engagement with your loyalty program.

3. Increase in Number of Orders, Decrease in Rush Hour Foot Traffic

Restaurants constantly struggle to fit as many orders as possible and not mess them up, especially during peak hours. EZ-Chow’s online ordering platform is the simple solution to both challenges. Here’s how we hit two targets with one stone: 

• Increased Order Volume: By offering online ordering, you’re opening up your restaurant to a whole new pool of customers who prefer the convenience of ordering from their devices. This can lead to a substantial increase in order volume, as you’re no longer limited to just the customers who physically walk through your doors.
  
• Decreased Rush Hour Foot Traffic: During peak dining hours, many restaurants struggle with long lines, overcrowding, and a strain on staff and resources. This can lead to a poor customer experience, as well as lost sales from potential diners who are unwilling to wait. EZ-Chow’s online ordering system can help alleviate this problem by diverting a portion of orders away from your physical location. Customers can place their orders online and pick them up or have them delivered, reducing the need for them to physically be present during the busiest times. 

By offering online ordering through EZ-Chow, you’re expanding your restaurant’s capacity without additional seating or staff. Customers who might have been put off by long wait times or overcrowding can now conveniently place their orders online, increasing your overall order volume while reducing the strain on your physical location during rush hours. This two-pronged approach boosts your revenue and enhances the dining experience for all your customers, whether they’re ordering online or dining in.

4. Streamlining Operations and Reducing Costs

As mentioned above, during peak hours, restaurants often find themselves overwhelmed with a high volume of orders coming in from multiple channels. These channels include:

• Dine-in customers
• Phone orders
• Walk-in takeout orders

This can lead to bottlenecks in the kitchen, longer wait times, and ultimately, lost revenue opportunities as potential customers decide to take their business elsewhere.

With EZ-Chow’s online ordering platform, restaurants can streamline the order intake process and reduce the strain on their staff during these busy periods. Our platform helps restaurants with:

✔️ Efficient order management and fulfillment.

✔️ Reduced phone traffic but no reduction in number of orders.

✔️ Simplified takeout process as customers place their takeout orders online, allowing you to prepare orders ahead of time.

5. Marketing and Analytics

EZ-Chow’s online ordering platform is designed to provide a hyper-personalized experience tailored to every individual customer’s unique preferences and order history.

With EZ-Chow, customers can create personal accounts that store their favorite orders, dietary restrictions, and delivery addresses. This means that when they login to place an order, they’re greeted with a time-saving customized menu that highlights their go-to items and suggests new dishes based on their preferences. So, no more scrolling through endless menus or struggling to remember that special sauce they love, saving you precious time!

For example:

If a customer consistently orders the same dish every Friday night, you could send them a special offer or a loyalty reward for that particular dish on Thursday evenings. Or, if a customer has an upcoming birthday, you could surprise them with a complimentary dessert or a special discount on their next order.

Check out a few more personalization options you can provide with EZ-Chow:

Personalization Feature	How EZ-Chow Implements It
Personalized Menu	Based on customers’ order history and preferences, EZ-Chow can display a customized menu highlighting their favorite dishes and suggesting new items they might enjoy.
Favorite Orders	Frequently ordered meals can be saved as “Favorites” for one-click reordering.
Loyalty Rewards	Based on order history and spending, EZ-Chow can offer personalized loyalty rewards or incentives to encourage repeat business.
Targeted Promotions	Using customer data, EZ-Chow can send targeted promotions or recommendations for dishes or combos a customer might enjoy based on their preferences.
Customized Messaging	EZ-Chow can display personalized greetings, messages, or recommendations based on the customer’s profile and order history.

By offering this level of personalization, you’re providing a superior customer experience and fostering a stronger emotional connection with your diners. Customers feel valued and appreciated, which can lead to increased loyalty, repeat business, and positive word-of-mouth recommendations.

6. No Additional Labor Costs for Increased Orders

One of the most significant hurdles restaurants encounter when they experience a surge in orders is the demand to hire more staff to cope with the escalated workload. This can rapidly deplete profits, as labor costs can be one of the most substantial expenses for any food service establishment, underscoring the urgent need for effective cost management.

Very recently, there was a substantial increase in minimum wage costs for fast food workers. This increase can further affect the revenue of fast-food chains.

Important Update on Minimum Wage Resource: dir.ca.gov/dlse/minimum_wage.htm  Beginning April 1, 2024, all “fast food restaurant employees” covered by the new law must receive a minimum wage of at least $20.00 per hour.

However, with EZ-Chow’s online ordering platform, restaurants can seamlessly handle an influx of orders without the need for extra staffing. This is because the entire ordering process is automated, from the customer’s initial order placement to the integration with your existing point-of-sale (POS) system.

When a customer places an order through EZ-Chow’s platform, the order details are instantly and accurately transmitted to your kitchen staff, eliminating the need for dedicated personnel to manually take and input phone or in-person orders. This efficient process not only reduces errors but also allows your staff to concentrate on other crucial tasks, such as food preparation, customer service, and order fulfillment.

Moreover, EZ-Chow’s platform is designed to handle a high volume of orders simultaneously, ensuring that even during peak hours, customers can place their orders quickly and efficiently without encountering delays or system overloads.

7. Less Errors Means Less Wastage and Increased Savings

Traditional phone and in-person orders are prone to miscommunications, illegible handwriting, and other human errors that can lead to incorrect orders, wasted food, and dissatisfied customers.

EZ-Chow’s online ordering platform significantly reduces the risk of these errors. Customers input their orders directly into the system, eliminating the potential for miscommunication or misinterpretation. EZ-Chow’s intuitive interface also allows customers to review their orders carefully before submitting them, ensuring accuracy and preventing costly mistakes.

By reducing errors and wastage, EZ-Chow can help your restaurant save significant amounts of money on wasted ingredients, labor costs associated with remaking incorrect orders, and potential refunds or discounts for dissatisfied customers. These savings can result in increased profitability and a healthier bottom line for your business.

Additionally, EZ-Chow’s reporting and analytics features provide valuable insights into your most popular dishes, peak ordering times, and other data that can help you optimize your inventory management and staffing levels. This data-driven approach can further reduce wastage and ensure that you’re stocking the right ingredients in the right quantities, minimizing excess inventory and associated costs.

 

Born 2 Bagel has been serving Louisville, Kentucky for a few years now. They aimed to bring authentic New York-style bagels to the heart of Louisville, and they succeeded too. 

As their customer base started to grow and demand soared, Born 2 Bagel recognized the need to expand their reach without investing heavily in labor. This led them to invest in EZ-Chow’s online ordering platform. The seamless integration of our platform with their POS systems helped them receive more orders without overcrowding their outlet. 

To read more about EZ-Chow’s partnership with Born 2 Bagel, check out our detailed post here: Born 2 Bagel: Authentic New York-Style Bagels And Seamless Online Ordering. 

The future of the restaurant industry is digital, and those who embrace online ordering solutions like EZ-Chow will be well-positioned to thrive in this ever-evolving landscape. So why wait? Partner with EZ-Chow today to take the first step towards boosting your revenue and elevating your customer experience.

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