4 Powerful Ways to Streamline Your Restaurant Operations with a Mobile App

TLDR

The restaurant industry has always thrived on efficiency—long before digital ordering and mobile payments became the norm. But as customer expectations shift, technology is no longer just a convenience—it’s a necessity. From Starbucks launching its in-app loyalty program in 2009 to the widespread adoption of online ordering over the past five years, mobile apps have changed how restaurants operate.

And yet, for restaurant owners, the big question remains: Is a mobile app just another thing to manage, or can it truly improve daily operations?

We’ve all seen how digital ordering helps customers. It speeds up checkout, eliminates wait times, and offers personalized promotions. But what about the operational side of things? Can an app actually make restaurant workflows smoother, reduce staff workload, and improve order accuracy?

The answer is yes—when it’s built for the realities of running a food business. The Per Diem app is designed with restaurant owners in mind, streamlining everything from ordering to takeout and delivery while ensuring a seamless customer experience. Here’s how it’s helping restaurants and cafes operate more efficiently and profitably.

‍

1. Simplified Ordering Without the Chaos

For customers, ordering should be quick and effortless. For restaurant staff, it should be clear and organized. But in many cases, outdated systems lead to long wait times, lost orders, and a stressful rush-hour experience. The app eliminates these bottlenecks by giving restaurants a smarter way to manage incoming orders—whether they’re for in-store pickup, takeout, or delivery. In fact, this year, mobile orders are expected to account for 54% of all digital food purchases, meaning that customers are never stopping to shift towards convenience-driven ordering. 

No More Long Lines or Confusing Orders

One of the biggest frustrations for customers is waiting too long to place an order—especially when they’re on a tight schedule. With the app’s pre-ordering and scheduled pickup feature, customers can place orders in advance and pick them up when it’s most convenient. This reduces in-store congestion, prevents bottlenecks during peak hours, and improves order accuracy since there’s no rush to enter details at the counter.

For restaurants, this means a better flow of service, fewer abandoned orders, and happier customers who don’t feel the pressure of long lines. Staff can also adjust order fulfillment times in real time, ensuring they aren’t overwhelmed during a rush.

Seamless Customization Without Miscommunication

How often do restaurants deal with incorrect orders due to unclear modifications? Whether it’s a coffee order with an extra shot of espresso, a sandwich without mayo, or an allergy-friendly substitution, customization is an everyday reality. Instead of relying on verbal requests or handwritten notes, Per Diem’s intuitive order customization system ensures that every detail is entered correctly by the customer, minimizing errors and frustration.

Loyalty Programs That Drive Repeat Business

A customer may try a coffee shop once because of convenience—but they return because of great service and incentives. With Square Loyalty integration and the app’s built-in loyalty program, restaurants can reward customers for repeat visits, offer gamified experiences, exclusive discounts, and send personalized promotions directly through the app. Unlike traditional punch cards or email-based promotions, this system keeps customers engaged and coming back without additional marketing efforts.

Real-Time Stock Updates to Prevent Disappointments

Nothing turns a great customer experience into a frustrating one faster than ordering something that’s out of stock. The app’s integration with the Square POS and 86 feature ensures that customers only see available menu items. Restaurants can even set up automatic alerts to notify customers when a previously unavailable item is back in stock, driving return visits and boosting sales.

Case Study: Luliet Bakery

Luliet Bakery has always been known for its high-demand, handcrafted cakes and pastries. But as their popularity grew, so did the challenges of handling large pre-orders and last-minute rushes. Customers would call ahead to place orders, but staff often found themselves overwhelmed with manual tracking, leading to occasional mix-ups.

After implementing the Per Diem app, Luliet Bakery streamlined its ordering system—allowing customers to pre-order large cakes directly through the app for events, parties, and special occasions. Not only did this reduce order errors, but it also freed up staff to focus on in-store service rather than fielding calls.

They also use the banners to highlight seasonal items and time-sensitive deals, increasing the visibility of promotions without relying on social media alone. 

‍

2. Smarter Delivery & Takeout Management

Managing takeout and delivery services can be one of the most challenging parts of running a restaurant. Without a streamlined system, customers experience long waits, orders go missing, and staff end up juggling too many tasks at once. Per Diem helps restaurants control the flow of orders while ensuring customers receive their meals on time without the chaos.

Curbside Pickup That Runs Smoothly

For restaurants that offer curbside pickup, disorganization can cause long waits and customer frustration. With Per Diem, customers can check in through the app as soon as they arrive, allowing staff to bring out their order promptly. No more guessing or waving customers down in a crowded parking lot—everything runs smoothly from start to finish.

Integrated Delivery Without Third-Party Hassles

Third-party delivery apps can take a significant cut from restaurant orders, but many businesses still rely on them for convenience. The app integrates seamlessly with major delivery services like DoorDash and UberEats, allowing restaurants to continue using these platforms while maintaining control over their operations.

For those offering in-house delivery, the app provides built-in route management and order tracking, ensuring drivers are dispatched efficiently. Customers can track their orders in real-time, reducing the number of status inquiries and keeping the experience frustration-free.

Scheduled Pickups & Future Ordering for Better Planning

Instead of handling a flood of last-minute orders all at once, restaurants can allow customers to schedule their pickups or deliveries in advance. This not only helps balance kitchen workflow but also gives staff the ability to plan ahead, reducing stress during peak hours.

Case Study: Dough & Co. Pizza

Dough & Co. Pizza is known for its high-quality, made-to-order pizzas. However, like many fast-growing businesses, they struggled with balancing in-store and online orders—especially during dinner rushes.

After adopting Per Diem, Dough & Co. was able to streamline both takeout and delivery orders in a way that didn’t disrupt in-house service. Customers found the app easy to use, and the ability to schedule orders ahead of time reduced wait times significantly. Since launching on the platform, the restaurant has seen an increase in positive customer feedback, with many users praising the convenience of the pickup and delivery experience.

‍

3. Multi-Location & Franchise Management

For restaurant owners managing multiple locations, keeping everything consistent yet adaptable can feel like a juggling act. One store runs out of an ingredient, another offers a seasonal special, and yet another needs to adjust pricing based on local demand. Without a centralized system, things can spiral into a logistical nightmare.

That’s why Per Diem makes multi-location management effortless—giving owners a single platform to keep pricing, menus, and inventory in sync while allowing location-based flexibility.

Centralized Menu & Pricing Management

Nobody wants to update 10 different menus manually. With Per Diem, you don’t have to. You can instantly update prices, menu offerings, and promotions across all locations—or customize them for specific stores when needed. This means you can roll out a seasonal menu at select locations while ensuring the rest of your restaurants maintain their core offerings.

And for customers? It creates a consistent experience, ensuring they see accurate prices and availability no matter which location they visit.

Real-Time Synchronization Across Locations

One of the biggest pain points in multi-location management is inconsistent promotions and inventory mismatches. If a restaurant runs out of a popular item at one location but has it available at another, customers (and staff) need clarity.

Per Diem ensures that inventory, pricing, and promotions are synchronized across all locations, eliminating miscommunication and reducing order errors. Restaurants can roll out discounts, modify inventory levels, and adjust fulfillment options from a single dashboard, saving time and minimizing confusion for both employees and customers.

Case Study: Crave Cookies

With over 100 locations, Crave Cookies needed a solution that would help them maintain consistency across all stores while allowing for local-level customization. Before Per Diem, managing promotions and inventory across locations was time-consuming and prone to errors.

After adopting Per Diem, Crave Cookies was able to centralize menu updates and real-time stock tracking, ensuring that each location had the right menu items available at all times. They also used Per Diem’s synchronized pricing tool to adjust prices for different regions while keeping promotional offers uniform across all stores. The result? Fewer discrepancies, better inventory control, and a more seamless customer experience.

‍

4. Enhancing the Customer Experience

At the end of the day, restaurant technology isn’t just about improving backend operations—it’s about making the customer experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible. The better the experience, the more likely customers are to return, leave positive reviews, and recommend the restaurant to others.

Per Diem doesn’t just improve restaurant efficiency; it enhances the customer journey at every step, from ordering to checkout to in-store convenience.

67% of diners are more likely to visit a restaurant that offers mobile ordering options.

WiFi & Restroom Code Access Without the Hassle

Customers visiting a café often need access to WiFi or restroom codes, but asking staff for them can feel like an unnecessary interruption—especially when the store is busy.

Per Diem eliminates the need for those interactions by allowing customers to access store amenities like WiFi and restroom codes directly through the app. It’s a small detail, but one that makes a big difference for both customers and staff who don’t have to answer the same question 50 times a day.

Sign up to offer these in-store amenities through the app. 

Seamless Redemption Through Store Credit

Offering store credit as a payment method encourages customers to return. Whether as part of a loyalty reward, a refund solution, or a gift card program, Per Diem makes it easy for customers to apply store credit directly within the app during checkout.

This eliminates the friction of manual redemptions and allows customers to seamlessly use their credits for future purchases, leading to higher retention and increased spending.

50% of both Gen Z and Millennials now prefer mobile payments to traditional cash or card transactions. 

Order Tracking & Real-Time Notifications

Uncertainty is one of the biggest frustrations for customers waiting on their food. Did their order go through? How long will it take? When should they pick it up?

With real-time order tracking and notifications, Per Diem keeps customers informed every step of the way. Instead of having to ask staff for updates, customers receive instant notifications when their order is being prepared, ready for pickup, or out for delivery. This level of transparency reduces frustration and builds trust, leading to a more positive overall experience.

Case Study: Vali Coffee

Vali Coffee has always focused on delivering an outstanding customer experience, but as their customer base grew, they wanted a way to make ordering and in-store interactions even more seamless.

By using the app, they introduced a store credit system that allows customers to preload funds into the app and pay for their purchases without needing physical cash or cards. This streamlined the checkout process, making transactions faster and hassle-free.

Additionally, Vali Coffee used push notifications for happy hour deals, which significantly boosted engagement and encouraged customers to visit during off-peak hours. Their customers now enjoy a frictionless ordering process while the café benefits from higher retention and increased sales.

‍

Final Thoughts

At the start, we asked whether a mobile app could truly make restaurant operations easier. By now, you probably have your answer.

From streamlining orders and managing deliveries to keeping multi-location businesses organized and enhancing the customer experience, Per Diem helps restaurants run more efficiently without the usual headaches.

With mobile orders growing fast and customer expectations higher than ever, having the right technology is essential.

Ready to make restaurant management smoother and more profitable? 

See how Per Diem can transform your business - Start a free trial or book a demo today. 

‍