Grouped orders and shared billing: digital solutions that change everything
March 17, 2025
Grand tablées create atmosphere for customers, generate sales for the restaurant... and are a real crash test for service.
➜ Indoors? The waiter deals with those who are waiting for a late friend, those who are still hesitating and those who change their order at the last second.
➜ In the kitchen? The tickets pile up as the team tries to keep up, between orders sent in several times and last-minute additions.
➜ When you pay? "I'm paying for the pizza and all the drinks," "Can we split it 12 ways?", "Uh... who hasn't paid for their dessert?"
All this in the middle of a rush, while other customers wait for their tables.
With an end in view, stress for the team, wasted time and customer frustration.
And yet.., groups are a real opportunity. More places to eat, higher average ticket sales, an atmosphere that attracts more people... That's if the organization can keep up.
QR Code, grouped orders, split payments... Solutions exist to streamline service, simplify checkout and ensure that customers leave with just one wish: to come back.
How? We'll explain.
Group orders: the challenge of fast, error-free service
When taking orders at the counter and seeing a large group arrive, there are two techniques:
➜ Taking orders one by one and see a flurry of tickets printed in the kitchen as the team begins to curse.
➜ Take a group order... and end up with calculator in hand, all the while running after the one who slipped off to the toilet ("there was time"), the one who went out for a smoke and the one who went to reserve the table.
The same applies to table service.
We wait for the latecomers, the one who parks the car, the one who doesn't know what he wants. And all the while, the waiter is going back and forth between the table and the kitchen, trying to deal with this group and the other impatient customers.
All this in the middle of an 8 p.m. shot, with the pressure of 10 people waiting in the background.
In short, it's hell for the teams, whereas the groups are a real opportunity: more guests, more orders, higher average bill.
How do you avoid this? By letting customers' phones do the work
Why wait for everyone to be ready when you can send a clear, complete order to the kitchen, stress-free? With a QR Code, customers place their own ordersat their own pace.
Everyone scans, chooses their dishes and pays directly. There's no need to group everything together on a single ticket or compose 10 separate orders. In the kitchen, everything follows a logical, structured flow.
Why is it a win-win for restaurateurs?
✔ No more to-ing and fro-ing to keep track of orders as they come in.
✔ The order arrives clear, complete and well-structured.
✔ The dishes arrive at the same time, not in puzzle mode, with one customer eating while the others wait.
✔ With a fluid experience, groups know they have a good address to come back toWhether for a business lunch, a birthday party or a meal with friends.
And a satisfied group also means positive recommendations and word-of-mouth...!
02. Group check: no more headaches when paying
Everything has gone well so far. Smooth service, well-served dishes, happy customers. But now it's time to pay. And that's when things get complicated.
"I'll pay for the burger, the chocolate fondant and 1/3 of the bottle. Can you put half in a ticket resto?"
"I'll pay for two with a credit card."
"Ah gee, who didn't pay for their dessert?"
The waiter, meanwhile, struggles with the card machine, juggling apothecary accounts and impossible payment combinations.
Meanwhile, it's 10:00 pm, there's still a mountain of washing up to do before closing time, and many more tables to cash.
The solution? A QR Code to pay in 30 seconds
Rather than turning every addition into an advanced accounting course, a QR code on the table allows everyone to pay directly from your phone :
Everyone scans, selects what they need to pay for and pays by CB, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
✔ No waiting to cash in: no more going back and forth between the room and the payment terminal.
✔ Clear, error-free tracking: everything is recorded, so there's no need to worry about who paid for what.
Why is it a win-win for restaurateurs?
✔ Everyone scans, pays their share and you're done in seconds.
✔ More confusion who paid for what, everything is recorded and traced.
✔ Collection no longer slows down rotation tables.
✔ Faster checkout closingwith less stress for the team at the end of the shift.
✔ Better tip management : the QR Code lets you add a tip with a single click, without the team having to ask for or handle change.
Digital ordering and payment: underestimated loyalty levers
The QR Code is not just for ordering or paying the bill: it can also be a real loyalty-building tool.
A loyalty program integrated with payment
When a group settles an addition, each customer can earn points individually via the loyalty program. Once the payment has been validated, the points are automatically added to their account.
This system makes it possible to retain several people at the same time, without any extra effort. This means customers can enjoy the same benefits on their next visit, even if they're returning with another group or on their own.
Offers and benefits for recurring customers
A repeat customer is more likely to influence those around him. By offering personalized benefits, we encourage them to return and recommend the establishment.
➜ Someone who often comes with friends can unlock a bonus for their next booking.
➜ Got a birthday coming up? The system can propose an invitation with a special offer to celebrate the occasion.
By personalizing rewards according to consumer habits, we create a stronger bond with each customer, without the need for complex management.
Customer data for targeted reminders
Thanks to digital technology, we know who has come, how many times and how often. These data enablesend tailored and relevant offers :
➜ Relaunching a customer who hasn't ordered in several weeks with an offer to bring him back.
➜ Offer a promotion in a less frequented slot to customers who come mainly at weekends.
➜ Encouraging a customer to return as a group with a discount on a menu to share.
Rather than sending generic offers, we can tailor promotions to each customer's behavior, based on concrete data.
More effective customer loyalty and optimized return on investment.
Ready to simplify the customer experience while boosting loyalty?
Easily manage groups, streamline payments, optimize customer loyalty... All this is possible with the right tools.
Obypay already helps more than 1,500 establishments optimize their customer experience, from order placement to payment, integrating solutions tailored to restaurateurs' needs.
Want to find out more? Our experts are here to help to find the right solution for your business.
