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Opening Guide to Restaurant POS Systems and Technology

When selecting the ideal technology for your restaurant, it’s essential to recognize that the hospitality industry is not one-size-fits-all. While some restaurant systems claim to be “end-to-end,” the reality is that each establishment has unique needs and priorities. The technologies offered by GoTab can benefit all operators, but the implementation priority should be based on which solutions will provide the most utility and deliver a swift return on investment for your specific restaurant operation

POS Flexibility

Restaurants must adapt to evolving consumer preferences and trends to stay competitive. Point of Sale (POS) systems play a crucial role in shaping the guest experience and streamlining operations. Embracing a hybrid service model with handheld POS devices allows for seamless blending of tableside service and self-service options, empowering servers to take orders, process payments, and manage tabs on the go. This enhances efficiency and provides a personalized dining experience for guests.

Additionally, POS systems with flexible payment solutions offer a wide range of options to accommodate diverse payment preferences, from contactless payments and mobile wallets to traditional card transactions. By embracing POS flexibility and innovative service models, restaurants can meet the ever-changing needs of guests, boost satisfaction, and remain at the forefront of the industry’s continuous evolution

Integrated Online Ordering

Ensure a smooth and efficient process by selecting a POS system that excels in supporting omni channel ordering, aggregating all orders, regardless of their source.By incorporating guest loyalty options, real-time menu management, and direct customer engagement, you create a personalized experience that upholds the highest service standards. Implementing online ordering capabilities allows you to eliminate third-party fees, ultimately boosting your profit margins and fostering a more profitable business model.

Your Own Website

 When implementing online ordering for your restaurant, one important decision is whether to build and maintain your own website or collaborate with a third-party platform. While third-party options can facilitate online ordering and delivery, many guests prefer the convenience and familiarity of ordering directly from a custom app or website. In fact, studies show that approximately 70% of customers prefer ordering through dedicated apps or personalized sites rather than via third party platforms. By investing in a custom website, you can cater to this preference and build stronger connections with your patrons, while also enabling the collection of first party data for guest outreach and marketing campaigns to drive guests. 

High Tech Kitchen Management

Sometimes the wisest investment for an operator is in supporting the efforts to prepare meals. Advancements in kitchen technology help increase efficiency and ensure sanitation.

A KDS (Kitchen Display System) organizes incoming orders so that staff doesn’t have to manage printed tickets, which may get lost or messy in their proximity to the organized chaos that is food preparation. Additionally, kitchen display screens eliminate a series of physical touchpoints that may counteract operators’ sanitation efforts.

• Bluetooth temperature sensors allow operators to monitor and control the temperatures for ingredients, equipment, and completed dishes. Operators can measure temperatures in four seconds or less and set alerts to notify them should anything fall outside of food safety ranges (i.e., Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point). Some sensors will even log temperatures for you

• Staff Management and Efficiency- Amidst ongoing staffing shortages in the industry, it is crucial for every operator to have a flexible and mobile-friendly solution for managing their teams’ schedules, timesheets, communications, tasks, tips, and more. Embracing easy-to-use and accessible cloud-based staffing tools empowers managers to take a proactive approach in managing revenue and labor costs efficiently

Check out our features for restaurants and request a demo today to learn how GoTab can optimize your restaurant operations!

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Situated “in the heart of it all, yet tranquil enough to make you feel away from it all too,” The Limelight Hotel Snowmass offers 99 hotel rooms and 11 residences, as well as footsteps-to-gondola access in winter and summer — right in the middle of Snowmass Base Village.

The Situation

Especially over the last few years, the Limelight Hotels IT team had witnessed a significant shift to contactless technology in the hospitality industry. After evaluating friction points in the guest journey, aligning with modern technology platforms in their restaurant was determined to be an effective way to offer elevated contactless dining experiences to their guests while also evolving their technology platforms to continue to support long-term company goals. Limelight Hotel partnered with GoTab to provide an enhanced on-demand dining experience on par with the brand’s reputation for exceptional guest service.

The Solution

Reducing Staff Touch Points Without Sacrificing Guest Experience

Guests are now able to begin a tab from their room or the property’s restaurant by scanning a QR code, texting a link to friends or family members on the ski slope to add in their orders, then meeting up together at the patio or lodge to enjoy their meal and après ski festivities without interruption. By streamlining tasks like inputting orders and processing payments, this eliminates friction for hotel staff and allows them to focus on delivering renowned guest service for a memorable experience. Since partnering with GoTab, Limelight Snowmass has consistently seen higher check averages and sales.

“We found the Point of Sale platforms we were looking at offered the guest and staff limited opportunities to further reduce touch points or improve the traditional restaurant experience. The GoTab platform enabled the guest to take an active role over the flow of their experience while simultaneously reducing touch points and further streamlining restaurant operations.”Nick Giglio, Manager of Hotel IT Operations, The Little Nell Hotel Group

According to the Limelight Hotels team, some of the other platforms that were evaluated were either missing some of the pieces they were looking for, had weak customer support models, or had little willingness to develop integrations to existing hotel platforms already in place. To that end, GoTab integrated with cloud-based platform, Infor. Together, GoTab and Infor are providing dynamic solutions to support central, efficient service across hotel amenities and deliver exceptional guest experiences.

“Previously, guests would call down to the restaurant to begin an order from their room or while they were out enjoying the ski slopes. Using GoTab, guests can now place orders from anywhere on the resort, giving them the on-demand service they want without interrupting their day. GoTab empowers us to give control to the guest, reducing touch points and streamlining overall restaurant operations, making Limelight Hotel the resort of choice for Snowmass.”Nick Giglio, Manager of Hotel IT Operations, The Little Nell Hotel Group

Since introducing GoTab, The Limelight Hotel has seen a consistent level of upsells and items sold per check resulting in additional revenue capture. They have been able to maintain service levels in their restaurants during periods when there was reduced staffing available without significantly diminishing the guest experience.

The Benefits

Eliminate Phone Orders – Take Orders from the Slopes. Guests can start a tab from their room or on the mountain without interrupting the flow of their day.

Future-Proofed Technologies – Delivering elevated contactless ordering via integration with the Infor hotel management platform.

Eliminating Friction in the Guest Journey – Maintaining service levels during periods of reduced staff without diminishing the guest experience.

  • Eliminating Friction in the Guest Journey – Maintaining service levels during periods of reduced staff without diminishing the guest experience.
  • Eliminating Friction in the Guest Journey – Maintaining service levels during periods of reduced staff without diminishing the guest experience.
  • Eliminating Friction in the Guest Journey – Maintaining service levels during periods of reduced staff without diminishing the guest experience.
  • Eliminating Friction in the Guest Journey – Maintaining service levels during periods of reduced staff without diminishing the guest experience.

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