- Provide a delivery menu that includes allergen information
- Send delivery notifications via text or email
- Increase delivery hours during busy times
Restaurant delivery is becoming more popular every day. And for a good reason – it’s a great way to reach new customers and increase sales. But if you want your restaurant delivery to be successful, you need to make sure you’re doing it right.
Delivery can also be tricky – there are many things to think about.
There’s a lot to consider from how you package your food to making sure the delivery driver gets paid.
In the past few years, restaurants have been turning to a third-party delivery service to help them with delivery logistics. And while this can be a great option, it can also be expensive.
But don’t worry, we’re here to help. Here are our top 17 tips to take your restaurant delivery to the next level:
1. Offer a delivery fee waiver for first-time customers
A delivery fee waiver is a great way to encourage first-time customers to try your restaurant. You can offer a delivery fee waiver for a limited time or a specific order value through a delivery app promotion.
When waiving delivery fees, it’s important to make sure that you’re still making a profit. To do this, you can either increase the price of your food or add a small service fee.
For that reason, it’s essential to know that your delivery fee is clear and transparent from the start.
2. Provide a delivery menu that includes allergen information
When customers order delivery, they can’t see your food in person. So, make sure that your online ordering menu provides all the information they need to make an informed decision.
This includes things like allergen information. Even if you can’t provide this information on your physical menu, make sure you have it available on your website or app.
That kind of information is especially important for customers with dietary restrictions. So, by making it available, you’re not only giving them the information they need, but you’re also showing that you care about their needs.
3. Use insulated delivery bags to keep specific food warm or cold
If you want your food to arrive fresh and perfect, you need to use insulated delivery bags. These bags will keep hot food hot and cold food cold – ensuring that your food is delicious and fresh when it arrives at the customer’s door.
With insulated delivery bags, you can also pack different types of food together without worrying about them getting mixed up or spoiled.
Your customers will appreciate the extra effort, and you’ll be sure that your food is arriving in the best possible condition.
4. Have condiments and napkins available in the bag
Imagine this situation: you’ve just received your delivery, and you’re ready to dig in. But wait – there’s no ketchup for your fries or napkins to clean up the inevitable mess.
We’ve all been there, and it’s not a fun experience. So, save your customers the hassle and make sure that condiments and napkins are available in the bag.
This might seem like a small detail, but it can make a big difference. Your customers will appreciate not having to search for these items, and they’ll be more likely to order from you again in the future.
5. Make sure all orders are accurate before they’re sent out
There’s nothing worse than receiving your food delivery, only to find out that it’s not what you ordered. It is frustrating, but it’s also a waste of time and money.
To avoid this situation, ensure that all orders are accurate before they’re sent out. This means double-checking the order and the customer’s address and contact information.
It might take a little time, but it’s worth it to make sure that your customers are happy with their orders. When you put yourself on your customers’ side, everyone wins.
6. Send delivery notifications via text or email
There’s no reason your customers should be in the dark about their orders. These days, you can send delivery notifications via text or email – letting your customers know exactly when their food will arrive.
This is a great way to improve the customer experience and ensure that your customers are happy with their orders. It’s also an excellent way to keep them informed if there are any delays.
Of course, you should also include an opt-out of these notifications. Some people might find them annoying, so let them have the choice to receive notifications or not.
7. Have a delivery area that is easily accessible for drivers
The drivers who are delivering your food are the face of your business. So, you want to make sure that they have a good experience when they’re working for you.
One way to do this is to have a delivery area that is easily accessible for drivers. This means having a designated parking spot and clear signage.
You also want to ensure that the delivery area is safe and clean. This will help your drivers feel comfortable and appreciated, and it will reflect well on your business.
8. Keep a close eye on delivery times to ensure food arrives fresh
Fresh food means you will have a happy customer, so you want to make sure that your food arrives fresh. It would be best if you kept a close eye on delivery times to do this.
This means tracking how long it takes to prepare and deliver your food. If you notice that it’s taking longer than usual, you can adjust your processes accordingly. You can also adjust their preparation times during busy hours. While this doesn’t directly affect when drivers arrive, it will update the customer’s ETA.
It’s also a good idea for restaurant owners to have a few backup plans in place in case of delays. For example, you might consider partnering with a different restaurant delivery service or having extra food on hand.
9. Use technology to your advantage
Technology should be a big part of the restaurant industry including restaurant delivery. Many apps and software programs can help you streamline the process and make it more efficient.
Some of the things you can do with technology include tracking orders, sending notifications, and keeping an eye on delivery times. These tools will help you provide a better experience for your customers and ensure that your food is delivered fresh.
Besides apps, there are also GPS tracking devices that you can use to keep an eye on your delivery drivers. This will help you be informed that they’re taking the most efficient route and not making unnecessary stops.
10. Promote your delivery options on social media
Nowadays, social media is essential for promoting your business. So, if you want to get the word out about your delivery options, you need to be active on social media.
Make sure that your restaurant’s name and contact information are listed on your social media profiles. You should also post about your delivery options regularly and use relevant hashtags and captivating photos.
You can also hire influencers for an inexpensive rate to have content and promotion done through their existing communities. These collaborations can generate a lot of business quickly.
In addition, you can use social media to run promotions and giveaways. By doing this, you’ll attract new customers, but you’ll also keep your existing customers coming back for more.
11. Create a loyalty program for regulars
If you have customers who regularly order from your restaurant, you should create a loyalty program for them. This will motivate them to remember your business and come back again.
There are many ways you can do this, but one popular option is to offer discounts or freebies after a certain number of orders. You can also give loyalty points that can be redeemed for future orders.
Another way to show your regulars that you appreciate their business is to offer them VIP status. This might include things like priority delivery or special treatment.
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12. Make it easy for customers to reorder their favorite dishes
Reordering is a great way to increase customer loyalty and boost your sales. So, you want to make it as easy as possible for customers to reorder their favorite dishes.
One way to do this is to save their information after their first order. This way, they won’t have to enter it again when they come back.
And make sure inventory is kept up and don’t forget to update online availability accurately. This will help reduce errors and ensure that customers always have access to their favorite dishes.
13. Increase delivery hours during busy times
If you want to boost your sales, you should consider increasing your delivery hours during busy times. This will give customers more opportunities to order from you.
To determine when these times are, you can look at your order history and see when you tend to get the most orders. You can then adjust your hours accordingly.
You might also want to consider offering delivery during off-peak hours. This can help you attract customers looking for a more convenient option. So go ahead and experiment with different delivery hours to see what works best for your business.
14. Offer a variety of payment options, including cash and card
These days, offering many options in anything is always a good idea. The same goes for payment options.
You should offer cash and card payments to make it easy for customers to pay you. You can also offer online payments to make things even more convenient. You can also include some alternative payment methods such as Apple Pay, Google/Samsung Pay, Tap to Pay, or QR Code Pay. As much as better.
Some restaurants also offer discounts for customers who pay with cash. This is because it’s often cheaper for businesses to process cash payments. So, if you’re looking to save some money, you might want to consider this option.
15. Label each dish with the order number and the customer’s name
This one is for the drivers. When packing up an order, be sure to label each dish with the order number and the customer’s name. This will help the driver keep track of everything and ensure that each dish goes to the right person.
It’s also good to include any special instructions on the label. For example, if a customer wants their food delivered to a specific location, note that.
By doing this, you can no doubt that each customer gets their food exactly how they want it without any confusion.
16. Keep your menu updated with the latest dishes and flavors
Your online menu should always be up-to-date with the latest dishes and flavors. This way, customers will know that they’re getting the most current options when they order from you.
It can be a good idea to create seasonal menus so that customers always have something new to try. You can also offer special promotions for certain dishes to further entice customers.
Whatever you do, make sure that your menu is always fresh and exciting for your customers.
17. Be transparent with your customers about delivery
Transparency is always a good policy, especially when it comes to delivery. You should let your customers know exactly what to expect when they order from you.
This means being upfront about delivery times and any potential delays. You should also let them know if there are any areas that you don’t deliver to.
By being transparent with your customers, you can build trust so that they’ll always come back to you for their delivery needs.
Delivery is a great way to grow your restaurant business, but it’s essential to ensure that you are doing everything possible to optimize your delivery service. You can ensure that your customers have a great experience when they order from your restaurant by following these tips.
We hope that our tips have helped and given you some ideas to improve your process.
Remember, it’s important to constantly test and try new things to find what works best for your business.
And don’t forget to check our online ordering system to help automate your restaurant delivery by offering the best online ordering solution for your business. With our system, you can streamline your process and take your business to the next level.
