Four Reasons Why Mobile Order and Pay Can Ease Staffing Shortage Pressure

With restrictions easing, customers are excitedly returning to their favorite restaurants. Yet, nine in ten operators predict issues with recruitment at a time which is essential for our industry's recovery. So just how do you meet this return of demand while operating with a smaller team? Mobile order and pay solutions are a cost-effective way to support the current skilled staff you have to deal with peak periods while also helping to maximize sales. 

Here are four reasons why restaurant businesses should consider mobile order and pay solutions to support any current staffing shortages: 

1. Reduce Admin Tasks  

Mobile order and pay takes care of a lot of the admin side of a shift from taking orders at tables or over the telephone to processing cash and card payments. In fact, balancing takeaways with table service is a great way to increase sales and diversify, but it can put pressure on staff members' time. One staff member could be lost from the front of house for up to an hour taking phone calls for 20 takeaway orders. With technology those orders could be processed in seconds. 

Less admin frees up staff to focus on delivering a quick and friendly service. After a long shift, there’s often a gut sinking feeling that, along with setting up for the next day, there are all the receipts to process and stock takes to file.  A mobile order and pay solution with high quality back-office software and POS integration will manage this all digitally, making for a smoother end of service. 

2. Reduce Wait Times 

When a restaurant is short of staff, the whole chain breaks down, leading to poorer service, longer wait times and unhappy customers. This can have an impact on a restaurant’s reputation in the long run and reduce loyalty. Mobile order and pay allows the customer to control when they want to order, removing the time spent waiting for a staff member to become available. In addition, due to staff not having to be involved in the ordering and payment process, their focus is shifted to quick delivery of orders to maximize sales.

3. Allow Staff to Focus on the Experience 

A recent study shows that almost half (45 percent) of hospitality businesses believe consumers want an enhanced experience when eating and drinking out post-pandemic. With a reduced team rushed off their feet, the time spent creating a guest experience through engagement can get lost. 

By entrusting the facilitation of payments and the manually taking of orders to software, the time shaved off each of these steps can see the average member of front of house staff increase productivity. This means those businesses with a reduced headcount can continue to offer excellent service, freeing up staff to focus on the experience. They can spend time explaining the dish of the day, for example, or perhaps recommending a favorite drink or explaining the backstory to the business. All will make for a personal touch that will create a memorable experience for guests. 

4. Invest in Staff Satisfaction to Retain Valued Team Members 

There is a hefty bit of admin involved when hiring more staff, but with mobile order and pay, you can make the most of supporting the staff you have and remove excessive time spent sourcing and training new team members. Mobile order and pay can easily slot into your team, and depending on the current set-up, the technology can be in place within just one day. 

Ensuring current staff are properly supported and pressure is alleviated is hugely important during the staff shortage. In the long run, this leads to improved satisfaction, helping to retain great staff for longer. Having more experienced staff makes for a much more efficient business, so this retention is key.