Smart business owners are always looking for better ways to run their operations. And as a takeaway owner, a takeaway management system could be answer.
You might be surprised by just how much functionality is packed into a modern takeaway management system, or restaurant POS system. The latest systems are cloud based and feature-rich and work on any device, with even more tools unlocked through integrations.
Let’s take a look at what we mean by takeaway management system and the features to look out for if you’re in the market.
What is a takeaway management system?
A takeaway management system, also known as a restaurant POS system, is a system of software and hardware that makes running a restaurant easier and more efficient.
It can process orders from a variety of channels – online on a website or app, in-store via a terminal or tablet or via a third-party marketplace – process payments, manage orders and send them through to the kitchen, and that’s just the start.
Many takeaway management systems have a range of additional features such smart scheduling, inventory management and driver tracking, among many others.
With all your restaurant data flowing into the system and being processed in one place, a takeaway management system can help you make sense of how well your business is performing and what you can do to improve it.
What can a takeaway management system do?
So a takeaway management system can do a whole lot then. But we have only looked at its capabilities from a high level. Let’s get into the details and look at the key features and benefits of a takeaway management system.
Order management
A takeaway management system allows customers to place orders online, through a mobile app or in-store. This makes it easy for restaurant owners to manage and track orders, and ensure that they are fulfilled in a timely and efficient manner.
Inventory management
A good takeaway management system will also allow restaurant owners to track their inventory levels and reorder items when necessary. This ensures that they always have enough stock to meet customer demand and avoid running out of key ingredients at the wrong moments.
Customer management
With a takeaway management system, restaurant owners can also keep track of their customers' orders and preferences. This can be helpful for creating targeted marketing campaigns and providing personalised service, for example, offering customised add-ons based on previous orders. Not only does this improve the experience for the customer, but it gives a boost to your average order value too.
Automated kitchen management
One of the most impactful features of a takeaway management system is a Kitchen Display System. As orders come in through the restaurant POS system from multiple channels, a KDS organises them and displays them to the relevant sections of the kitchen.
Screens at each section tell the cooks which orders to prioritise and give them all the information they need such as the items to prepare, the order time, which channel it came from and whether it is for takeaway or delivery. This makes the kitchen more efficient and minimises errors.
Reporting and analytics
A takeaway management system can also generate a variety of reports and analytics to help restaurant owners track their performance and identify areas for improvement. This can include information on sales, inventory, customer demographics and more.
Employee management
A takeaway management system can also help restaurant owners manage their employees, including tracking their hours and scheduling shifts. This can help to ensure that the restaurant is fully staffed at all times and that employees are paid accurately.
Payment processing
A POS system can also handle payment processing, which can save restaurant owners time and money by eliminating the need for a separate payment processing system.
Automate tedious tasks
A takeaway management system can automate tasks such as creating staff schedules and administering payroll, which can save restaurant owners time and energy.
Integrations
A takeaway management system can integrate with other software and platforms such as accounting software, inventory management software, and marketing software, making it easy for restaurant owners to manage all aspects of their business in one place.
Take away the stress with a takeaway management system
A takeaway management system can take away your biggest stresses and improve every aspect of your restaurant operations. With so many features packed into one coherent system, you’ll have a ton of useful data to give you all the insights you need to make improvements every day.
