Online ordering has become a restaurant industry necessity 

Regardless of whether they’re ordering from restaurants directly or through third-party apps, consumer trends unanimously point toward online ordering as an integral software tool for restaurant owners. Online ordering has grown more than three times faster than dine-in business over the last seven years, and spiked by as much as 40x during the onset of the pandemic.

Online ordering goes beyond supplementing the in-person experience as well, driving bottom line results. Some restaurants reported a nearly 20% increase in average customer spend from upsell features built into the online ordering process. Additionally, customers who order from a restaurant online will visit that restaurant almost 70% more often than those who don’t.

When looking at dine-in vs. takeout trends, online ordering transcends both realms. An increasing number of full-service restaurants are having their customers place their orders digitally. These experiences eliminate the need for dedicated servers, instead instructing patrons to scan a QR code to access the menu and enter any modifications prior to submitting their selections, which go straight to the kitchen and are brought to the table by runners. This approach saves substantial labor costs as well as the need to hire new team members during an industry-wide staff shortage

Restaurant operators should use these trends to their advantage

Whether you’re looking to open a new restaurant or are thinking about how to move the needle for your current business, positioning yourself around these dine-in vs. takeout trends would be a step in the right direction. Every restaurant is different, and should adopt strategies and tactics that fit your service model and menu items while catering to evolving consumer trends. 

Regardless of the direction you go, automating your operations will inevitably save you valuable time and resources to boost your bottom line. Dine-in traffic has returned, making reservation and waitlist management more important than ever. And when it comes to getting your name out there, a tailored marketing approach will help you get the most bang for your buck.