Food Court: top 5 digital tools to install
08 November 2024
Managing a food court can be exciting, but also complex. You have to be on all fronts: operational, strategic, marketing... all the while ensuring an impeccable customer experience.
Between managing orders, coordinating booths and optimizing services, the organization has to be up to the task.
To remain competitive and attract more and more customers, adopting high-performance digital solutions is now essential. But where to start?
We reveal our top 5 digital tools to boost the efficiency of your food court, win over your customers and simplify your daily routine.
Number 5: Click & Collect
Visit Click & Collect is rarely the first option you think of when opening a food court, especially when you're banking on the atmosphere on site. Yet integrating this solution can be an excellent way of expanding your customer base, especially at midday on weekdays when customers are in a hurry.
How does it work?
- The customer consults the menu on your site or application.
- He places his order, chooses the pick-up time and pays online.
- He receives an order confirmation.
- He picks up his meal right away.
Why integrate Click & Collect into your food court?
✔ You attract customers in a hurry: On weekdays, many working people want a quick way to have lunch. Click & Collect meets this need by enabling them to choose, order and pay online.
✔ You generate more orders and increase the average ticket : the Product Push function offers suggestions for side dishes or desserts during the order process, encouraging customers to add further items and boosting the average basket.
✔ You manage time slots according to your availability: Define a maximum number of orders per slot to better manage flows and facilitate pick-ups.
✔ You can track orders in real time: all controls are integrated directly into your point-of-sales softwaresimplifying your organization and freeing up time for production and service.
✔ You offer your customers flexibility: an omnichannel order path gives your customers the freedom to order from different stands. As an added bonus, you can enrich the customer experience by also offering delivery.
"A well thought-out Click & Collect module, with personalized suggestions, makes ordering more engaging for your customers. It's an effective way of boosting the average basket while offering a smooth, pleasant experience. Click & Collect is the winning combination for attracting, satisfying and retaining your customers at every food court stand."The little plus that makes all the difference
Want to know more about Click & Collect? Discover our resources
➜ Click & Collect: benefits for your restaurant
➜ Restaurant: everything you need to know about Click & Collect
Number 4: control terminals
Visit control terminals have become a standard tool in many fast foodBut they are perfectly suited to the food court environment.
How does it work?
- The customer goes to an available terminal.
- They browse the menu, personalize their order and validate it.
- They pay directly via the terminal, by credit card or other means of payment (luncheon vouchers, etc.).
- They receive a ticket or order number to collect their meal.
Why install order terminals in your food court?
✔ You reduce queues: kiosks enable several customers to place an order at the same time, reducing waiting times at the counter.
✔ You offer more autonomy to your customers: Customers can browse the menu at their own pace, customize their order (choice of ingredients, extras, etc.) and place their order without feeling rushed or lost if it's their first time.
✔ You increase the average value of orders : like Click & Collect, kiosks can be configured to offer automatic suggestions for side dishes, drinks or desserts.
"The transversal stall solution allows you to group products from different restaurants into a single virtual selection. For example, you can create categories such as 'platters to share', 'vegan dishes' or 'desserts', bringing together offers from several stands. This makes it easy for customers to browse through these selections without having to move from stand to stand."The little plus that makes all the difference
Want to know more about order terminals? Discover our resources
Number 3: geotagged easels
Geolocated easels are the ideal allies to order kiosks for improving the customer experience and service management in a food court. They effectively replace traditional beepers and enable teams to better manage food delivery.
How does it work?
- The customer places an order at a kiosk and picks up a geolocated easel.
- He can sit wherever he likes in the food court and wait for his order.
- When the meal is ready, the staff runners locate the customer using the easel and bring him his order directly.
Why use beepers in a food court?
✔ You improve customer expectations: customers can sit back and enjoy the atmosphere without having to stand close to the stand.
✔ You reduce congestion: fewer crowds in front of the pits, which improves traffic flow and creates a more pleasant environment, especially during busy periods.
✔ You streamline service: your kitchen teams no longer need to shout to call order numbers. Tracking is done efficiently and discreetly.
"Conventional beepers have proved their worth, but today's digital solutions go much further. With notifications by app, email or SMS, alerts become discreet and personalized. Geolocated easels, meanwhile, offer a genuine revolution in service: customers enjoy optimum comfort while remaining seated, while teams can locate and bring orders directly to the table, guaranteeing smooth service and a customer experience to match. "The little plus that makes all the difference
Number 2: the loyalty program
Integrate a digital loyalty program to your food court is an effective way of building customer loyalty and stimulating their desire to return. No more stamp cards that get lost or expire! Opt for a complete system that simplifies your customers' lives and optimizes your management.
How does it work?
- Customers join the loyalty program via your app or website.
- They earn points or euros with each purchase, which they can spend on future visits.
- The loyalty program is accessible on all your sales channels: Click & Collect, delivery, order terminals and table orders.
- Customer consumption data is centralized and accessible in real time.
Why integrate a loyalty program into your food court?
✔ You build loyalty among your regular customers: They feel recognized and appreciated, which encourages them to come back and tell their friends and family about your food court, thus attracting new customers.
✔ You encourage your customers to discover all the stands: They earn points or euros at every stand in your food court, and can use them anywhere. This approach encourages the discovery of different brands while maximizing customer loyalty.
✔ Improve your marketing campaigns: every time you use your loyalty card, you'll receive data on your customers' consumption habits, such as amounts spent and favorite products. Centralize this information to better understand your customers and improve your marketing strategies.
"Whatever offer you want to put in place, the digital loyalty program brings valuable flexibility: offering products, accumulating points, offering cashback... everything is possible. "The little plus that makes all the difference
Want to know more about the loyalty program? Discover our resources
➜ Digital loyalty program: the ecological alternative to paper cards
Number 1: a single, centralized management solution
We've obviously saved the best for last. To optimize food court management, nothing beats a single, centralized solution that integrates all the necessary digital tools. Thanks to this all-in-one solution, you can control all the tools mentioned above - Click & Collect, order terminals, beepers and loyalty programs - (and much more!) from a single location.
With a single management solution, No more multiple software programs, and no more time wasted on separate configurations. You have a single point of contact for installation, set-up and technical support, which guarantees responsive follow-up and reliable service.
How does it work?
- All digital tools are integrated into a single platform and connected to your existing management software.
- Online and face-to-face orders are synchronized and accessible on the same platform.
- Customer and loyalty data are centralized, providing a global view of purchasing behavior.
Why opt for a centralized solution for your food court?
✔ You save (a lot!) of time: all functionalities - order taking, payment and loyalty - are grouped together in a single tool, simplifying management for your teams.
✔ You can track all performance at a glance: Analyze data from each tool from a single dashboard. Get an overview of sales, loyalty and customer preferences to fine-tune your strategy.
✔ You improve coordination between stands: With a centralized solution, all stands share the same tools, ensuring consistency and uniformity in customer service.
✔ You can upgrade your tools as your needs change: a centralized solution offers the flexibility to integrate new tools as your food court grows.
"Even if each establishment in your food court uses different POS software, our solution can connect to it. This ensures that all data is synchronized, enabling consistent, fluid management without changing existing systems. Flexibility that ensures a smooth transition."The little plus that makes all the difference
Did you like our selection?
Good news: we've got lots more solutions to simplify the management of your food court! Dive into our comprehensive guide to the best digital solutions for food courts and find what's best for your space.
Need personalized advice? Make an appointment with our team to discuss your projects and needs!
