How to Prepare Your Restaurant for Take Out and Delivery - A Step-by-Step Guide

TLDR

In this article, we'll provide a step-by-step guide on how to prepare your restaurant for take out and delivery. We'll cover everything from setting up your kitchen for efficiency to creating an online ordering system.

So, whether you're just getting started with take out and delivery or you're looking to improve your current system, this article is for you. Let's get started!

Set Up an Order Ahead System

The first step to take advantage of the take-out and delivery trend is to set up an order ahead system. This could be anything from an online ordering form on your website to a phone line that takes orders.

Your customers will appreciate the convenience of being able to place an order without having to pick up the phone and call your restaurant. Plus, it will free up your staff's time so they can focus on preparing the food instead of answering the phone.

There are a number of different ordering systems to choose from, so do your research and find one that best suits your needs.

Make Use of Social Media

Now that you understand the importance of take-out and delivery, it's time to make use of your social media channels to boost your presence. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok offer powerful ways to help promote your restaurant to existing and potential customers -- for free.

This will give you a presence on the platform and allow customers to follow your page. Use this page to post updates about your restaurant, menu items, special offers, and more.

Get creative with what you post and how you do it. For instance, stories and reels are great ways to incorporate short videos to your marketing mix. You can also use hashtags to reach a wider audience. Look up popular hashtags related to your industry, cuisine, and even delivery and take-out. Use these hashtags in your posts to make sure your content is being seen by people who are interested in what you have to offer.

Set Up a Dedicated Takeout/Delivery Area

Your restaurant is ready for takeout and delivery orders, but you need to set up a specific area for this type of service. This will help keep the flow of food moving and make it easier for your customers to pick up their orders.

The first step is to reorganize your restaurant so that the takeout and delivery items are near the front of the house. This way, your customers can easily grab their orders and go. You might also want to consider creating a packing area where orders are put together. This will keep the kitchen organized and help with food preparation.

Finally, you'll need to define a dedicated waiting area for your customers. This can be a designated spot near the front of the house or in another part of the restaurant. Just make sure that it's a place where they can comfortably wait for their orders.

Establish Clear Guidelines and Protocols

It’s essential that you establish and enforce clear guidelines and protocols for your restaurant’s takeout and delivery service. To ensure all your customers have an excellent experience, make sure your employees are trained in best practices for customer service. Be sure to emphasize that providing accurate wait times is essential — this will help keep customers coming back time and time again.

In addition to training your employees in customer service, it’s important to enforce effective communication between staff. This can help reduce the chance of errors during orders and also speed up the process. Instill a culture of collaboration between workers - if someone notices an issue or has a suggestion, encourage them to bring it up with their peers.

By taking the time to train your team in best practices while also encouraging effective communication, you’ll be able to provide an excellent takeout and delivery experience for your customers.

Invest in Packaging Solutions

Investing in proper delivery packaging is crucial if you really want to make an impression on your customers. The packaging should be safe and secure enough to keep your food fresh and intact until it reaches its destination.

Finally, don't forget to include food package designs with a twist. If you really want to stand out, try customizing the packaging with creative designs that will leave an impression on your customers. You can also add informative messages about your restaurant or brand-related details in a playful or humorous way – this will increase customer engagement and make meal preparation more fun!

Provide Incentives to Encourage Takeout/Delivery Orders

If you want to encourage customers to order takeout and delivery from your restaurant, you need to provide incentives for them to do so. Offering discounts, promotional codes, and loyalty programs can all be great ways to entice customers and build loyalty.

A loyalty program is a great way to reward customers who choose your restaurant again and again. Offer loyal customers bonuses like discounted meals or coupons that can be used on future orders. This will help keep them coming back time after time.

Additionally, offering promotions is a great way to get more people interested in ordering food from your business. Try offering discounted meals or free delivery for a limited time period - this will help draw in new customers who may become regulars over time. You could also offer special deals on holidays or other important days in order to attract more customers and increase revenue during those times. Finally, while it may seem counter-intuitive, providing discounts is actually a great way of increasing profits since it gets more people ordering food from your business.

Conclusion

As the world of take out and delivery continues to grow, it's important for restaurants to stay ahead of the curve by offering their customers convenience, order ahead options, and most importantly, great food.

By following the steps in this guide, you'll be on your way to setting up your restaurant for success in the take out and delivery world. Remember to keep your menu items fresh and exciting, offer order ahead options, and create a dedicated area for take out and delivery orders. With these tips, you'll be sure to make your restaurant a take out and delivery destination.