The number of dining options for people has grown tremendously. Diners are spoilt for choice in highly competitive restaurant industry and sometimes even the smallest concern seems to be the deciding factor.
One such issue is the time-consuming nature of the in-restaurant dining experience. diners have to wait to have their orders taken and their meal served. In addition to that, they also have to wait to pay their bills.
Usually, the diners are in a hurry to get going and pay the bill. In most cases, they can become impatient while waiting for their checks and as a consequence have a bad experience with your restaurant. This could lead to bad reviews and decreased sales.
Hence, many restaurants these days are providing a pay-at-the-table feature to elevate the experience and reduce wait time.
What is Pay-at-the-Table?
The traditional restaurant experience includes the server making a couple of rounds from the diner’s table to the point of sale terminal to complete the bill payment process. However, the pay at the table feature allows the diners to use tablets or mobile devices to pay for their meals without much back and forth.
These devices have significantly improved the user experience. According to a survey, 61% of the diners affirm that digital payment improved their dining experience.
Types of payment modes
The different types of payment modes that can be used to electronically pay for the meals after eating include: –
1. Debit/credit card
2. Net-banking
3. E-wallets like Google Wallet, Apple Pay, Dineout Pay, & others
4. Tabletop kiosks with QR Code Scan
Does your restaurant need mobile payments?
Only a restaurateur can properly ascertain whether the technology is useful for them. Carefully considering capital investment and staff training costs and mitigating any risks would be the wisest way to proceed.
Currently, there are 3 million smartphone users and the numbers are only expected to increase in the coming years. These will also encourage online payments as they are efficient and convenient. Also, according to Global Market Insights, the hospitality industry is one of the three industries projected to impact the mPOS today.
Advantages of using pay-at-the-table
In the end, it is important to consider how this technology will assist you. Pay-at-the-table technology can enhance the user experience in the following ways: –
1. Increase operational efficiency & table turns
The technology benefits both your diners and your staff by reducing the time required to complete bill payments. The time saved by the staff can be used to increase table turns which can directly improve the restaurant revenue.
2. Improves Payment Security
When the customers dip, tap or swipe their cards, it assures them that their card was always with them and hence, provides them with a sense of security.
Diners today have innumerable restaurant choices and are dining out more often. They value time and convenience when they are dining out and pay at the table does just that. In such situations, pay at the table solutions have become indispensable and not just a fancy add-on.
So why wait? Go digital and provide your diners with an elevated dining experience.
