Maitre’D Interface makes Online Meal Ordering Quick, Convenient and Accurate
Thursday, April 23, 2009 2:49 PM
Time-crunched consumers are increasingly turning to online ordering to get back some of the precious time they waste waiting in line for takeout meals. A recent survey conducted by the National Restaurant Association revealed that 48 percent of adults have used the Internet to visit a restaurant's website; 18 percent of which have placed orders online.
Posera's Maitre'D online ordering interface makes it simple for restaurant owners to address this growing trend in an efficient, cost-effective manner. The interface seamlessly connects to third-party online ordering solutions, turning a restaurant's website into a dynamic eCommerce platform with a simple link. The system supports take-out, delivery and dine-in orders for single and multi-unit operations.
The process is simple. Customers log on to a restaurant's website, place an order and enter their payment information. From there, the request is directed to an easy-to-use order review screen, signaling restaurant employees to begin preparing the order. An automatic email is sent to the customer, confirming their order and ensuring accuracy. With some systems, customers are able to place repeat orders in a matter of seconds by simply clicking on their previous order history and securely saved payment information.
Restaurant managers can further improve customer service with the interface's bi-directional communication abilities. If a menu item is unavailable or preparation and delivery is taking longer than expected, managers simply log the issue into the Maitre'D interface. A notification is sent to the online ordering system so customers can be alerted to the problem - before they place their order.
With order placement and payment taken care of online, restaurant employees are able to focus on preparing and serving food correctly. Restaurants also benefit from the system's back-office features designed to help enhance overall efficiency and boost profitability. Flexible reporting capabilities track sales and collect customer information in a secure format, facilitating the creation of automated, customer specific marketing programs.
"Restaurants need to provide convenient, fast dining options to keep pace with today's busy consumer," says Michel Côté, Vice President General Manager of Posera. "Online ordering gives restaurants the opportunity to meet consumer needs while also enhancing profitability and improving operational efficiencies."