Customer expectations are rising with the pace of fast-moving technology. Guests expect speed, accuracy and seamless service – waiting too long for a server or dealing with the server taking down the wrong order is no longer acceptable.
Good news. Tableside ordering and payment technology is redefining how guests order, pay, and interact with staff. It’s a game-changing innovation that’s helping restaurants overcome labor shortages, boost revenue, and elevate guest satisfaction.
The Top Challenges Currently Facing Restaurant Operators
- Rising operational costs – Restaurants are struggling with steep increases in food, labor, rent, utilities and supply costs. Labor expenses alone have surged due to minimum wage hikes and competitive pay demands. To survive, restaurants must find a way to be as efficient as possible with their labor.
- Staff and workforce management – Finding and retaining qualified staff remains a top concern. High turnover, wage pressures and employee expectations are driving restaurants to invest in technology that enables their staff to increase their tips and cover more sections easily.
- Supply chain volatility – Global disruptions continue to affect ingredient availability and pricing. Restaurants need to adapt on the fly by making changes in the kitchen that are easily communicated to servers seamlessly while they are on the floor.
Enter Mobile POS – The Game Changer
Mobile POS applications, like AlohaOrderPay, allow servers to take orders and payments directly atthe table or anywhere else in the restaurant. This eliminates the need to runback and forth to a fixed terminal, saving time and reducing errors.
Key Benefits:
- Speed of Service: Orders go straight to the kitchen, reducing prep time and increasing table turns.
- Order Accuracy: Real-time order entry directly in front of the guest minimizes mistakes and food waste.
- Labor Efficiency: Servers can manage more tables, reducing staffing needs by up to 30%.
Industry Trends & Data
- NCR Voyix customer, Wai-Kai, reported a 13% reduction in labor-to-sales ratio and faster table turns after rolling out mobile POS. Read their full store here.
- Leveraging handheld POS, for events, drove faster payment processing and increased speed of service resulting in a 30% increase in table turns for The Trade Hotel. Faster table turns = revenue. Read their full story here.
- 68% of operators now use handheld POS for tableside or curbside service. Read the full research here.
Aloha OrderPay in Action
With features like EMV/NFC payments, direct kitchen integration, and dynamic floor plans, Aloha OrderPay is built for modern restaurant operations. Aloha OrderPay can fit into a server’s back pocket and supports:
- Tableside ordering and payments
- Curbside service
- Tip suggestions and digital receipts
- Allergy and recipe info for servers
- Table transfers, split checks, and pivot seating
Future-Proofing Your Restaurant
As consumer expectations evolve, restaurants must adapt. Mobile POS isn’t just a convenience—it’s a competitive advantage. By investing in solutions like Aloha OrderPay, operators can:
- Improve guest satisfaction
- Reduce operational costs
- Capture valuable customer data
- Keep their staff happy
Tableside tech is no longer optional—it’s essential. With mobile POS systems like Aloha OrderPay, restaurants can thrive in today’s challenging environment and build a foundation for long-term success.
