10 Essentials of a Restaurant Management System

Published Jan 20, 2021

Running a restaurant is a challenging business and it's important to have efficient software that helps you manage it effectively. A restaurant management software is a system that helps you streamline all operations and provides automation so you can worry about things that matter most -- providing a superior experience to your customers.

A cloud-based restaurant management software combines all that is good in a conventional/legacy POS system, with tools such as table booking management, inventory management, analytics, billing system, order management (with order taking on mobile/tablet device), and also helps in marketing by providing actionable insights and activities such as CRM, loyalty and building an online presence.

Let's have a look at some of the most essential features that any restaurant management software should provide and which SpeQue POS also does.

1. Billing & Tax Tracking

Billing is the most essential requirement of a restaurant management system. A modern-day billing software should ensure easy order taking by showing the complete menu on a tablet/mobile device and allowing the captains/stewards to punch orders quickly and on the move. This should further generate automated KOTs and also track the average time taken to serve food to customers on each table.

The billing system should also be integrated with various channels so that the orders get synced and the billing takes place from one central place. This removes the hassles of managing multiple systems as well.

A cloud-based system also helps you keep variation and thefts at bay. SpeQue POS captures and reports discounts applied and item cancellations so that you stay on top of your business and helps reduce chances of theft and misappropriations.

2. Order Management

A cloud-based restaurant management system also helps you manage all orders, both online and offline. SpeQue POS helps you integrate with all online vendors (Swiggy, Zomato etc.) so you can manage all online orders on a single portal.

SpeQue POS also helps you automate KOT and BOT generation. This ensures that the order reaches the kitchen or bar in no time and helps you improve overall operational efficiency.

The primary advantages of an order management platform are:

• 1. Multi-channel integration
• 2. Never miss an order with real-time notifications

3. Reporting & Customer Data

A good restaurant management system captures and provides a holistic view of all important data for your business. From sales history to order tracking, KPIs, cancel and discount reports, top-selling items, inventory purchase orders, indents, menu profitability, SpeQue POS provides detailed insights to business owners to keep a check on the health of their business. These reports are also available on the mobile app.

4. Online Integration

With online ordering picking up in the past few years, managing both online and offline orders can be a daunting task, especially during rush hours. This is why having a single portal to manage all online orders becomes important. SpeQue POS integrates with all online vendors such as Swiggy, Zomato so you can manage your complete menu and order on SpeQue portal or SpeQue Partner app without having to manage multiple dashboards.

5. User Friendly Interface

A good restaurant management software isn't only one filled with features but is also the one providing the best user experience. SpeQue POS provides an easy to use interface which even a novice user could start using without much training. Video tutorials also help users to get a hang of the system quickly and without much hassle.

6. Integrated Inventory Management

Managing costs is one of the most essential aspects of effective restaurant management. Good software should help you automate the complete workflow of inventory management. From stock procurement via purchase orders and indents to automating the stock out via recipes, an inventory management software can help you save tons of money and keep a check on the goods moving in and out of the kitchen.

7. Integrated Feedback

Customer feedback is also an important parameter to consider for good restaurant management. Asking customers for feedback shows you care for them and are willing to answer their queries. It also helps you capture customer data, which can further be used to run loyalty programs or do targeted campaigns.

8.Table Booking Management

Managing table reservations is also important for good restaurant management. A table reservation system helps you inform your customers about their confirmed/rejected bookings. It also helps you manage queues effectively by informing customers about their waiting time.

9. Marketing and Loyalty Programs

With all the data at hand, it now becomes essential to keep your customers engaged. SpeQue POS provides an integrated CRM module, which helps you run SMS and email marketing campaigns. You can also run your cashback loyalty programs with custom rules to suit your needs.

10. Contactless Dining Support

Post the outbreak of COVID-19 early last year, the world changed to new norms such as ‘social distancing’ and ‘contactless’ services. Thus, in the current scenario, contactless dining becomes super important to have in any POS software.

These were some of the most important aspects to look for in modern restaurant management software. Gone are the days where you had to depend on multiple software to manage different aspects of your business. In modern-day cloud-based software, you get a whole gamut of features, ranging from operations management to marketing automation. This ensures you get more value for your money and a holistic, end-to-end solution for your restaurant business.

Write to us on info@speque.com to know more or visit our website (https://www.speque.com) and request for a free demo to know more about how we can help you grow your business.