Grow your food business with a custom made mobile ordering app from Dept of Digital
The rise of food ordering apps has revolutionised the takeaway market with the impact of this technology dramatically expanding the reach of a food business. As consumers order an estimated £8bn worth of food each year, mostly via apps, many takeaway businesses have been eager to tap into this growing market. Creating a bespoke branded app is sometimes considered as costly and complicated. Yet, it doesn’t have to be. A well designed food ordering app should guarantee a takeaway business a flexible and scalable opportunity.
With a purpose-built app takeaways can benefit from up to 43% more business and reorder rates as high as 95% according to one company that has developed such an app, Dept of Digital. As a low cost mobile app it can be configured quickly and easily for any kind of food business and enables operators to increase customer loyalty as well as offer Click + Collect, delivery and/or table service. This versatile solution is particularly relevant during the current climate, enabling businesses to effectively adapt and respond to the changing operating environment.
As Dept of Digital founder Kyriacos Karsa explains: “As we have lowered the cost of development our unique app is cost-effective yet offers a solution that is full of innovative features to boost sales. It’s perfect for takeaways, coffee shops and restaurants that want the advantages of a branded app.”
These advantages include a free customer website branded to the business address as well as the app being listed on Apple and Google. Moreover, as a growing number of customers download the app, the reach of an individual business is enhanced.
As Kyriacos Karsa adds: “Using a branded app means the business logo is always on a customer’s mobile device, ready for a quick and simple order. Businesses are free to use the app to award loyalty points, create offers and promote seasonal specials, as well as be on all popular mobile platforms and use Apple Pay and Google Pay alongside all other major payment gateways as standard.”
One satisfied customer is Manchester-based coffee chain Grindsmiths. P. Gibson, Founder, comments: “Getting an app from Dept of Digital has been an important decision for the business. We’ve seen strong adoption across all our shops and, most importantly, our customers enjoy using it. We have focused on offering loyalty points and that has helped us to build a better relationship with our customers. It’s improved our service efficiency which means a better service to customers and a higher sales total.”
The order management software allows businesses to see orders as they arrive in real time, set capacity limits and delivery slots, change waiting times, manage stock levels, take pre orders and more, simply at the touch of a button. And, with sales analysis and insights, business owners can have a better understanding of customer purchasing patterns and engage effectively to drive sales. Thanks to stock and order flow control, auto printing is possible as customers can only place an order if the venue is able to prepare it, simplifying operations while allowing staff to focus on preparing food.
A. Theophanous, CEO at Aroma Sandwich & Coffee, runs a chain of sandwich and coffee bars and an office food delivery service: “My customers appreciate being able to order their lunch from their desk. They can then pick up their food without fuss from our shop or have their sandwich dropped off at the office. It makes the whole process hassle-free.”
In terms of hardware, the app is compatible with a range of Star printers including the mC-Print™ series. Offering a compact design, front opening, simple paper loading and outstanding functionality, the mC-Print3 features multiple interfaces and benefits from IPX2 splash proof rating and buzzer support ideal for kitchen and bar environments.
To accommodate individual setups, businesses benefit from a variety of connectivity options on each printer model including Bluetooth, USB and LAN. All mC-Print3 models also include Star’s CloudPRNT™ technology. With Star CloudPRNT, a flexible ordering system can easily be integrated to seamlessly incorporate online purchasing into the offering. The mC-Print3 series also includes hub functionality with additional USB ports available for attaching a handheld scanner or customer display using minimal cabling.
“With no set-up fee during the Covid-19 pandemic for Tier 2 and Tier 3 regions, Dept of Digital allows businesses to overcome the challenges currently faced, receive orders and see their business thrive,” concludes Kyriacos Karsa.
For more information, visit: www.deptofdigital.com
