Third-party delivery apps have transformed how restaurants connect with customers, providing a valuable channel to drive more orders and boost sales. For restaurants looking to maximize the potential of platforms like UberEats, DoorDash, and Grubhub, it's not just about being present—it's about standing out and optimizing operations to handle higher order volumes efficiently. In this blog, we’ll dive into how to leverage these apps to increase your orders per hour and set your restaurant up for sustained success.
Why Use Third-Party Delivery Apps to Increase Restaurant Sales
Third-party delivery apps like UberEats, DoorDash, and Grubhub offer a streamlined way for restaurants to reach more customers and increase revenue. With the food delivery market expected to reach $165 billion by 2029, these platforms are more than just a convenience—they're critical for restaurant success in today’s landscape. Here’s why these apps are essential tools to help you increase your restaurant sales.
Expand Your Reach and Attract New Customers
One of the major benefits of delivery apps is the ability to reach a wider audience. Listing your restaurant on popular platforms exposes your business to thousands of potential customers who might not have otherwise discovered your establishment. Many customers use these apps to explore local food options and try new cuisines, making them an effective way to attract fresh business beyond your regular dine-in crowd. For instance, in 2022 alone, UberEats had over 48 million downloads, indicating a vast network of potential customers looking for convenience and variety.
Increase Convenience and Repeat Business
Convenience is a primary driver of food delivery demand. By offering delivery through third-party delivery apps, you cater to customers who prioritize ease and accessibility in their dining choices. The ability to order with just a few taps encourages repeat orders from satisfied customers who appreciate the seamless experience. When customers can rely on your restaurant for consistently good food delivered straight to their door, they’re more likely to order again, boosting your sales over time.
Menu Strategies to Increase Orders Per Hour on Online Food Sales
Maximizing orders per hour is a key goal for any restaurant using third-party delivery platforms. Implementing the right strategies can help you achieve this by improving menu appeal, optimizing pricing, and leveraging in-app features to boost visibility. Here are some methods to increase your online food sales.
Optimize Your Menu for Delivery
A well-curated menu for delivery is essential to ensure quality and customer satisfaction. Focus on items that maintain their taste, temperature, and presentation during transit. Avoid dishes that could become soggy, lose texture, or require specialized handling, as they may disappoint customers. Instead, choose items that are both travel-friendly and popular to encourage repeat orders.
Set Strategic Pricing
Pricing plays a huge role in attracting customers and increasing order volume. Start by researching competitor prices within the app to ensure your offerings are competitive. Consider the additional costs that come with delivery—such as packaging and third-party commissions—and price accordingly. Offering delivery-only specials, discounts, or value deals can also entice customers to choose your restaurant over others, especially if they're browsing for budget-friendly options.
Use Enticing Photos and Descriptions
Visual appeal is critical in the online food marketplace. High-resolution, professional food photography helps customers visualize the meal and feel more confident in their purchase. Ensure that each item on your menu has an accurate, attractive photo that showcases its main ingredients and unique selling points. Likewise, descriptions should be clear, concise, and mouth-watering. Highlight features like locally sourced ingredients, dietary options, or unique flavors to give customers reasons to choose your dishes.
Leveraging Promotions and Offers to Increase Online Food Sales
Promotions are a powerful tool to attract new customers, retain existing ones, and increase average order sizes. By using offers on third-party delivery platforms, you can drive more sales while standing out from competitors. Here are effective ways to leverage promotions and offers to boost your restaurant’s online orders.
Offer Bundle Deals and Meal Combos
Bundle deals and meal combos encourage customers to order more items by creating a value-driven experience. For example, offering a meal with a main course, side, and drink at a slightly discounted rate can increase the average order value. Customers are often more likely to choose a bundled option when it appears to offer savings over purchasing each item individually. Additionally, combos that incorporate popular dishes or seasonal items can entice new customers to try a variety of your offerings.
Attract New Customers with First-Time and Limited-Time Discounts
Attracting new customers is key to growing your online food sales, and first-time discounts are a great way to encourage them to try your restaurant. Offering a small discount on their first order can reduce the barrier to entry and make it easier for customers to choose your restaurant over others. Limited-time discounts, like weekend-only specials or holiday-themed deals, create urgency and drive immediate action, increasing order frequency within a short period.
Drive Traffic with Flash Sales During Slow Hours
Flash sales are ideal for filling slower periods by enticing customers to order during specific times with special discounts or free add-ons. For instance, offering a 10% discount on orders placed between 2-5 PM can help increase traffic during off-peak hours. Flash sales create a sense of exclusivity and excitement, encouraging customers to take advantage of the deal. Use these sales sparingly and promote them across your social media channels to maximize visibility.
Increase Sales By Leveraging Reviews and Ratings
In the world of online food ordering on third-party delivery apps, customer reviews and ratings can make or break a restaurant's reputation. Positive feedback not only boosts your visibility on delivery apps but also builds trust among potential customers. Here’s how to use reviews and ratings to your advantage and improve your restaurant sales.
Encourage Positive Reviews Through Direct Requests
A straightforward way to gather more reviews is by asking satisfied customers directly. Include a polite request for feedback such as a thank-you note with their order. Timing is crucial—prompting customers to leave a review while their experience is still fresh increases the chances of them following through. Positive reviews enhance your app ranking, making your restaurant more likely to appear in customer searches.
Respond to Reviews to Build Trust
Taking the time to respond to both positive and negative reviews demonstrates that you value customer feedback. For positive reviews, a simple thank you can go a long way in showing appreciation. For negative review responses, address the concerns professionally and offer solutions, such as a refund or a discount on a future order. This not only improves your relationship with that specific customer but also signals to other potential customers that you’re committed to providing excellent service and improving where necessary.
Boost Food Sales with Technology Solutions
Managing orders from multiple delivery apps can be challenging, especially when it involves balancing multiple devices and systems. Using integrated technology solutions not only streamlines the process but also can improve your ranking in delivery apps and boost your customer satisfaction. Here’s how to increase your restaurant’s sales with technology tools.
Utilize Auto Accept to Improve Your Delivery App Ranking
Auto accept is a feature that automatically confirms incoming orders, reducing the delay between when a customer places an order and when it’s accepted. Faster acceptance times lower the likelihood of customer cancellations, leading to a more consistent flow of orders. This efficiency also pleases delivery apps and contributes to better app rankings for your restaurant, increasing visibility and attracting more customers.
Consolidate Tablets to Manage Multiple Delivery Apps Seamlessly
If your restaurant is listed on multiple delivery platforms, you likely manage orders through different tablets, which can become overwhelming. Consolidating these apps onto a single tablet through tools like Tablet Consolidation reduces device clutter and simplifies order tracking. Menus from different platforms can be controlled on one device, allowing for quicker, more organized adjustments and ensuring that no orders slip through the cracks.
Streamline Operations with POS Integration
Integrating delivery apps with your POS (Point of Sale) system improves order accuracy and reduces manual entry errors. With POS integration, all orders go directly into your system, where they’re recorded, tracked, and managed. This reduces the need for manual data entry, freeing up staff to focus on order preparation and customer service. Enhanced efficiency in handling orders translates to faster fulfillment, happier customers, and increased potential for repeat sales.
Improve Your Restaurant’s Delivery Operations with Cuboh
Increasing your restaurant’s online sales and order efficiency requires a strategic approach, especially when managing multiple third-party delivery platforms. Optimizing your menu, using smart promotions, and engaging customers through reviews all contribute to achieving higher orders per hour in online food sales but it’s also vital to use the right technology and software.
Cuboh’s auto accept feature ensures orders are accepted in under 0.1 seconds, minimizing cancellations and boosting your restaurant’s rankings on delivery apps, keep in mind the average order acceptance time is usually 7 seconds. With Tablet Consolidation, Cuboh combines orders from all third-party platforms onto one device, eliminating tablet clutter and allowing for seamless order and menu management. Finally, Cuboh’s POS Integration reduces manual data entry, automatically recording every order and simplifying operations. By adopting these integrated solutions, you can focus on delivering quality food and service to your customers.
If you’re interested in learning how Cuboh can streamline your operations, learn more here.
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