How a mobile POS improves operations and customer experiences
Some days, running a restaurant can resemble a circus. It’s a balancing act: You’re constantly focused on creating seamless dining and ordering experiences for customers, while keeping operations running smoothly behind the scenes.
You’re juggling orders and schedules, and you’re taming unexpected issues. It’s easy to feel like chaos is always lurking. But there is a way to keep the show running smoothly — without feeling like you’re walking on a tightrope.
Do any of these sound familiar? Servers are crowding around the POS station, deciphering handwritten tickets and inputting orders with errors. Table turns feel like they’re dragging. Managers are tied to the back office instead of being a face on the floor. Any one of those can make for a less than ideal dining experience and hinder restaurant operations.
Now let’s throw a mobile point of sale in the mix. Savvy restaurateurs are realizing what a game changer these pocket-sized tools can be for restaurants. But they aren’t all created equal — and you don’t want to sacrifice power for mobility. That’s why we’re going to walk you through the benefits you should be getting out of a mobile point of sale.
Read on to learn how Heartland Mobile POS can help you:
Cut the cord on your countertop POS system
An all-in-one handheld point of sale is more than just a gadget that takes payments on the go. Heartland Mobile POS gives you the full functionality of your countertop restaurant POS system in a pocket-sized device — no compromises required. And it’s as durable as it is sleek, built to withstand the wear and tear of the restaurant industry.
Create seamless guest experiences
Imagine this: Your guests are seated as soon as they check in. It’s easy for them to place orders, and their meals arrive quickly and accurately. Paying the tab is a breeze. Mobile POS can help you achieve all of that — and more.
Make service more efficient: With a tableside ordering system, waitstaff can speed up the ordering process and get orders to the kitchen quicker. Guests can settle up as soon as they’re ready instead of waiting for a server to print a check and run a card.
Reduce order errors: Digital menus and orders sync across all devices in real time. Items are removed from the lineup as soon as they’re 86’d, and meal modifications are sent to the kitchen before the server even walks away, ensuring guests know exactly what’s available and get exactly what they order.
Take flexible payment methods: More than a mobile ordering solution, Mobile POS is a mobile payment device. That means you can process payments tableside and offer diners diverse payment options, including contactless payments, traditional credit cards and digital wallets like Apple Pay® and Google Pay®. Tipping on the screen is a cinch, and guests get a secure, frictionless experience since their card never has to leave their hand.
Breeze through rushes: Acknowledge guests even if you aren’t ready to seat them by taking their name and order from anywhere in the restaurant. Give them accurate wait time estimates and real-time updates thanks to waitlist management.
Offer loyalty perks: Invite guests to sign up for your loyalty program on the mobile device, and easily access and apply their points, discounts and other rewards from the palm of your hand.
“We use the mobile devices to take customer payments on our bowling lanes during league nights. They love the quick payment flow.”
— West Seattle Bowl
Seattle, WA
Redefine the employee experience
But here’s the kicker: If your servers aren’t happy, neither are your guests. The next step to enhancing your customers’ experience is improving your staff’s. And a mobile POS that makes every shift smoother is key to keeping job satisfaction high.
Cover more tables with less effort: A handheld table ordering system greatly reduces the number of steps servers have to take per party. That helps them take on and turn more tables in the same amount of time, securing higher tips and revenue.
Empower servers to sell more: With menu item details, specials and availability at their fingertips, servers can confidently answer questions, offer replacement suggestions and upsell.
Speed up and simplify checkout: No more dropping the check, waiting, taking the payment, returning the receipt and so on. The payment process is complete in one swift interaction, and splitting the bill couldn’t be easier.
Reduce burnout: Improved communication, fewer steps and a faster end-of-shift process means less physical exhaustion wearing down waitstaff, even on your busiest nights.
Perform manager duties on the go: Keep tabs on orders, manage deliveries, approve adjustments and more — all from a command center in the palm of your hand.
1 in 6 workers chose to leave their current job because they weren’t equipped with sufficient technology to perform their roles.
Streamline restaurant operations
Efficiency is critical to your success — especially given how competitive the restaurant industry is right now. Beyond creating great dining experiences, Mobile POS can help you manage every restaurant operation from a business hub that fits in your pocket.
Get inventory clarity: Manage stock levels in real time and always know what you have on hand versus need to 86 or restock. This reduces the risk of disappointing guests and causing waitstaff to scramble.
Simplify restaurant menu updates: Quickly adjust prices and availability from anywhere, and watch them go live on all devices across all locations instantly.
Make better business decisions: Access sales, customers and any other data collected through the mobile POS on any device, so you can run advanced back-office reports wherever you are. These insights help you make data-based decisions, optimize menu offerings and improve margins.
Customize your restaurant management system: Seamlessly integrate with over 130 technology platforms, including popular delivery providers and business management software.
Speed up online ordering fulfillment: A mobile POS makes it easier for staff to fulfill and track orders, ensuring they’re quickly delivered to the correct pickup or delivery customer.
52% of restaurant owners and operators say tech could help with inventory to avoid spoilage and overbuying
Embrace the future of dining
The bottom line: Adopting modern ordering technology in the restaurant industry is no longer a luxury. It’s a necessity.
You need solutions that help you meet the evolving needs of diners, optimize staffing and reduce labor costs. By giving your guests easier ways to order food, boosting server productivity and improving restaurant management, you’ll be on your way to increasing customer satisfaction, table turnover and revenue. And Heartland Mobile POS can help you get there.
“One of the best benefits as far as the technology goes is all the mobile capabilities we have with Heartland.”
— Matanuska Brewing Company
Eagle River, AK
Every software and hardware detail has been thoughtfully designed to help you put more money in your pocket and create smoother shifts for your entire team. Better yet, it’s backed by live customer support any time of day, any day of the year.
Upgrading to a new ordering system is easier than you think. Reach out to us to get pricing, and see firsthand how mobile restaurant technology can transform your business.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this document does not, and is not intended to constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available are for general informational purposes only. Information provided may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information, and readers of this information should contact their attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular legal matter, in the relevant jurisdiction. All liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on the contents here are hereby expressly disclaimed.
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Heartland is the point of sale, payments and payroll solution of choice for entrepreneurs that need human-centered technology to sell more, keep customers coming back and spend less time in the back office. Nearly 1,000,000 businesses trust us to guide them through market changes and technology challenges, so they can stay competitive and focus on building remarkable businesses instead of managing the daily grind. Learn more at heartland.us