What is a Multi-Restaurant Online Ordering System? How does it work?
Whether you’re into ‘Domino's’ or ‘Pizza Hut’ or whichever big player, you’ve seen them offer online ordering options as well. There’s no denying that the restaurant industry has witnessed a dramatic shift towards online ordering since the covid pandemic. And, not just for health safety reasons but also for the convenience and efficiency that ordering food online gives.
So, it has become imperative for restaurants and cafes to adapt and implement new ways to cater to their customers.
What you need is an advanced online ordering system that has the capability to take orders from multiple restaurants. This allows restaurants owner to easily glance at the performance of each of them from a single centralised platform.
In this article, we will walk you through what is a multi-restaurant online ordering system and how it actually works. So, let’s start and get some ideas!
What is a Multi-Restaurant Online Ordering System?
A Multi-Restaurant Online Ordering System is a digital platform that allows customers to place orders from multiple restaurants through a single interface.
It eliminates the hassle of browsing multiple websites or downloading numerous apps, offering a unified solution to satiate your cravings. With just a few clicks, customers can explore various menus, customise their orders, and seamlessly complete the transaction.
Imagine a bustling city with numerous restaurants, each offering delectable cuisines and enticing menus. Traditionally, customers had to physically visit each establishment to enjoy their favourite dishes.
However, with a Multi-Restaurant System, customers can now experience dining at any of these restaurants from the comfort of their homes. They just need a website or an app to order their favourite food.
How Does a Multi-Restaurant Online Ordering System Work?
Now that we know what a Multi-Restaurant Online Ordering System is, let's dive into how this system actually works:
Step 1: Restaurant Registration
Firstly, you need to register your restaurant in the system. This involves providing necessary information about the restaurant, such as the menu, location, working hours, and contact details. The registration process ensures that your restaurant has accurate details and is visible to potential customers.
Step 2: Menu Management
Once registered, you have access to an interface where you can manage your restaurant's menu. You can add, edit, or remove dishes, along with their descriptions, prices, and availability. This enables you to showcase your culinary offerings accurately and keep the menu up to date with any changes or specials.
Step 3: Order Notifications
When a customer places an order through the platform, you will receive a real-time notification on your Restaurant POS. This alert informs you of the order details, including the customer's preferences and any customisations they have made. Using this information, you can start preparing the order promptly.
Step 4: Order Preparation
With the order details at hand, your restaurant staff begins the process of preparing the requested dishes. Following the specific instructions provided by the customer, you prepare their order. This stage is crucial to meet customer expectations and deliver a satisfying dining experience.
Step 5: Order Handover
Once the order is prepared, it is ready for handover to the delivery personnel. You can either employ your own delivery team or a third-party delivery service to complete the order. In either case, the system facilitates seamless coordination between your restaurant and the delivery team, ensuring a smooth transition.
Step 6: Delivery and Customer Satisfaction
The delivery personnel then takes charge of delivering the order to the customer's specified location. It is important for you to ensure that the delivery is made promptly and the food reaches the customer in excellent condition. Customer satisfaction is a top priority as these platforms also have restaurant reviews. A good number of positive reviews is always better for your restaurant to get more orders online.
Franchise Vs Multi-Restaurant Online Ordering System
A franchise restaurant's online ordering system is a digital platform that allows customers to place orders from a franchise restaurant through the Internet. The restaurant owners will have a single application for all their restaurant outlets.
For example, let’s say there is a customer in Melbourne who wants to place an order in your franchised restaurant. The customer will open up your app/website, select an outlet and place an order. The order then will be delivered either by your dedicated delivery team or a 3rd-party delivery service.
This helps restaurant owners look at the performance of all the outlets through a single platform. Moreover, they can compare the performance of all the outlets to make informed decisions.
Here's a complete comparison table highlighting the key differences between a franchise and a multi-restaurant online ordering system:
| Franchise Restaurant Online Ordering System | Multi-Restaurant Online Ordering System | |
| Scope | Limited to a specific franchise restaurant | Covers multiple restaurants from different owners/franchises |
| Ownership | Owned and operated by the franchisee | Owned and operated by a third-party provider |
| Branding | Reflects the branding and identity of the franchise | Restricted to what the platform offers such as logo and menu items |
| Customisation | Customisation options are boundless | Restricted to what the platform offers |
| Integration | Can integrate with the franchise's existing systems, accounting software, etc. | Do not have integrations |
| Franchise Control | Franchisee has full control of the system | Individual restaurants have control over only their details |
| Revenue Model | Franchise pays for the system or shares revenue with the provider | Restaurants pay a fee or commission for using the system |
| Marketing Efforts | Franchise's marketing efforts can drive traffic to the system | Shared marketing efforts to promote the entire platform |
Disclaimer: It's important to note that these differences may vary depending on the implementation and the chosen online ordering system.
Get an Online Ordering System for Your Enterprise
A multi-restaurant online ordering system takes the physical restaurant online in no time. And listing your restaurant on any of these platforms will increase your daily orders and your revenue.
The best alternative to these platforms is to have your own online ordering system. There are a lot of advantages of an online ordering system if you invest in one. The cost to implement your own online ordering system is quite minimal and has better branding. It is more scalable and can generate more orders than a multi-restaurant system. Even if you have a franchise, you can list all your outlets in your own system and start selling.
So, why wait? Get a restaurant online ordering system from POSApt and take your business online. Let’s feed your hungry customers with all the tasty dishes that they want.
Also Read: Benefits of POS Systems in Restaurants