Chili’s Grill and Bar does it. Applebee’s customers rave about it, and Uno Chicago Grill restaurants depend on it. Why? Because the benefits of having tabletop tablets—so customers can order food, play games and win contests—are proving to be too many to count. Here’s some of the many reasons that the popularity of digital ordering at the table has been such a hit.
It’s an Overall Profit Booster
Ziosk, a Dallas based technological company has been making tablets to fit on the tabletops of large chain restaurants such as Chili’s, Applebee’s and others for several years now—and for these restaurants, it’s continued to bring in profits at an escalating rate. Whether a couple has just sat down for a bite to eat, or a family of six comes hungry (but unsure what they’re in the mood for) restaurant tabletop tablets are a visual enticement as they decide.Some tablets show a half dozen faded out screenshots, ranging from chicken lettuce wraps to chocolate lava cake, while others offer visual images, plus low cost games, digital ordering, and snazzy ads to entice customers to buy the restaurant’s products (such as t-shirts, mugs or gift cards). If you have kids, there is even more to choose from—and even more money for restaurants to make. Kids get to choose from free or low cost ($0.99) games to entertain and keep them busy, while the grownup’s get to eat, chat and enjoy their meal in peace.
It Works With the Modern Customer Base
One of the biggest reasons so many restaurants are adding a digital ordering option is to keep up with the competition of the healthy and speedy dining movement. Online ordering is everywhere and one of the fastest growing restaurant marketing trends, and everyone from Starbucks to McDonalds is giving you the fast and friendly option so you can zip in and zip out with your food and beverages in an instant. Other restaurants like Café Martorano in Fort Lauderdale, Florida use a more sophisticated digital ordering system. Their tablet covers detailed descriptions for each item, along with a beautiful picture for the item and beverage pairing suggestions. Talk about a successful upselling technique! Whether you are ordering from a tablet menu or a kiosk, digital ordering is the wave of future (and present) dining—and has been shown to dramatically improve the speed of delivery and efficiency in restaurants all over the country.