Summer is nearing, state governments are relaxing restrictions and diners are itching to have a year-long silly season.
And while things are not quite the same, there is a whiff in the air of a return to the Roaring Twenties, with people having an intense desire to live life to the fullest.
In hospitality, to prepare for this new wave of excitement, we first need to acknowledge a new relationship: QR codes and hospitality venues.
We can already see how QR codes – much like Instagram and Facebook – will shape customers’ behaviour and dining expectations. Especially with NSW’s recent announcement that QR codes are now mandatory for check-ins.
QR code for safe check-in
Contact tracing will be essential for the foreseeable future. And some states, like NSW, have made electronic check-in systems (i.e. QR codes) mandatory. So the paper and pen approach will not just be frowned upon, it will be illegal.
We need to recognise that this is the very first contact customers will have in most venues; that is, to reach out for their phone, scan a code and fill in their details.
This very repetition and exposure to QR codes will (and is already starting to) shape your customers’ behaviour.
QR code for digital menus
After the QR check-in, depending on the system you use, the app automatically opens to a page of your venue’s digital menu.
So your customer – who is already on their device and without having to lift a finger – can begin to peruse your menu while they’re waiting to be seated.
This means, your waitstaff would be serving an already engaged and enticed customer – who will be a lot more receptive to your staff’s upsells and pairing suggestions.
QR code for ordering and payments
More outdoor dining also raises a very real concern of overlooking customers. Especially when it comes to things like re-ordering drinks, where every precious second counts.
And that’s when Table Ordering comes in. With the same digital menu, your customer (if they prefer) can place their order whenever, and however frequently, they like.
Table ordering reduces time to reorder and upsells items through prompts like: “would you like sweet potato fries with your VB?” This explains the growing data that reflects an increase in customer spend when ordering from the app.
Billing also occurs immediately after every order. So no more dine and dash worries; and less running around for your staff, waiting on portable EFTPOS terminals to be available.
Interested but don’t know where to start? Lightspeed’s got you covered!
From check-in to check-out, Lightspeed POS does it all.
Having all your apps (check-in, digital menu, ordering & payment) included will save you costs and, just as importantly, it’ll organise your information and data in one place.
Lightspeed Table Ordering communicates with Lightspeed POS which then reconciles automatically with your accounting platform (Xero, MYOB, Quickbooks, etc.) It’s really that easy.
And that’s just the start, you can easily customise the app with your brand colours, logo and images to make it your own.
On top of that, with Lightspeed POS you can manage your delivery orders (Uber Eats, Deliveroo, DoorDash) on your POS system. You also get full visibility of your sales, generate one-click reports, manage margins, organise inventory, and so much more.
Try Lightspeed POS for 30 days free!
Lightspeed POS, previously known as Kounta, is offering all new customers a 30-day free trial with no commitments.
Try out Lightspeed POS including our free QR safe check in feature today!
