Developing an application for restaurant: step by step instructions

Today, more and more establishments are starting to use mobile solutions. They use them to optimize the reception of orders, book tables, collect analytics on customer preferences, increase sales and increase guest loyalty. And this trend is gaining popularity every year.

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They gave examples of how developing mobile applications for restaurants helps businesses.

1. Subway

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The Subway network in Russia has developed its own service, which has become a channel for communicating with customers. The app attracted users due to its bright design and user-friendly interface. Internal gamification increased conversions and added positive emotions to users.

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2. Presto

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The Presto coffee chain has implemented an app with online ordering, a loyalty program and a marketing platform. This made it possible to increase attendance and better retain regular guests. In addition, the share of direct orders increased from 50% to 65% depending on the city, which led to lower fees for aggregators.

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3. Sumo Sushi & Bento

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The Sumo Sushi & Bento network developed a platform that also increased the number of orders and improved interaction with guests. Through it, users order meals, pay a check, see the restaurant's offers and promotions.

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Why does this work?

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The answer is simple: services make clients' lives easier and make it possible to order food and drinks quickly. This saves time and also makes the purchase process convenient. Through push notifications, discounts and bonuses, restaurants stimulate frequent bookings and increase the overall revenue of the establishment.

The relevance and demand for mobile apps for restaurants

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According to research, 68% of users order food via smartphones on a regular basis, this confirms the growing demand for mobile solutions. Creating an app for a restaurant is necessary for those who want to remain competitive in the market and meet customer needs.

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How you can benefit from your own restaurant mobile app

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The platform will expand the customer base, increase profits and reduce staff workload. Let's consider what other benefits the service will bring to the establishment.

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• Loyalty. In a competitive environment, it is important to stand out. The program helps make the restaurant a personalized experience for everyone. Birthday bonuses, promotions and special offers are what keep guests coming back for more.

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• Ease of ordering. The online ordering process is fast. Customers choose food, drinks and place an order in two clicks, bypassing unnecessary steps. This saves them time, and visiting the establishment becomes more pleasant. Using the app, you can order food in advance or on the way to a restaurant, which is important for people who don't want to waste time waiting.

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• A variety of payment methods. You can pay for the order with the program: with a bank card, an electronic wallet, or via a QR code. This is safe and also eliminating unpleasant situations when the client does not have cash.

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• ‍Feedback to improve the service. When a person leaves a review or complaint through the service, you can quickly understand and improve the quality of service. It also builds guests' trust by showing that their opinion matters.

When developing, it is important to take into account that the main thing is the convenience and comfort of users. The easier and faster a guest can place an order, the more likely they are to return. In this section, we'll talk about key features that will make the app as user-friendly as possible.

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Register

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Registration allows you to create a personal profile, save preferences and personalize your work. By registering, you can integrate bonus programs, store your order history, and offer people their favorite meals.

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Menu catalog and food selection

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A simple and straight menu catalog is the basis. Each dish should be presented in the available categories: soups, main course, desserts, and drinks. Additional categories, such as “children's menu” or “vegetable meals”, can also be added for convenience. The interface should be intuitive and easy to navigate.

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Catalog search

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When a guest knows exactly what they want, the search bar saves time. The user simply enters the name of the dish, and the platform instantly shows it without forcing them to scroll through all the menu pages.

View the dish card

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Each dish should be presented with a detailed description and photo. This not only helps the customer better understand what they are ordering, but also gives them confidence that the dish meets expectations. After all, everyone who orders online wants to know what they're paying for! :)

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Checkout

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An important task when developing an app for a restaurant is to create a convenient and quick checkout process. Everything should be intuitive and accessible in just a few clicks. Here's how you can do this:

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• The choice of food. The user easily finds the right dish, looks through its description and photos to make a choice.

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• On site or to take away. It is up to the customer to decide whether they will enjoy their meal at the restaurant or order delivery.

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• Choose a payment method. For convenience, you can offer several payment options, including cards, e-wallets, and cash.

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• View the total order amount. A guest can always see how much his order costs and avoid unpleasant surprises when paying.

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Booking a table

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The function of booking tables through the service allows customers to be sure that when they arrive, they will have a place to eat, which is especially important during rush hours.

Push notifications about new products and promotions

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Push notifications are a great tool for keeping in touch with consumers. They inform you about new dishes, promotions and events, making sure you don't forget about your place.

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“Call a waiter”

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This feature is a godsend for people who want help fast. Using the program, they will call the waiter without leaving the phone.

‍Feedback

‍It is now easier to leave a review about a visit. With the feature for writing reviews, users will share their opinion about the establishment, and you will receive information to improve the quality of service.

When creating a mobile application for a restaurant, it is important not to forget about the functionality that will be convenient for the establishment itself. Here are the important features:

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Admin. application control panel

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The administrative panel will help you control processes: adding new items to the menu, setting up promotions and discounts. It is important that the panel is configured for different levels of access to make management easier.

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Order management

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By integrating with automation systems like R-Keeper, you can track every order and easily manage the process. Then order time and fulfillment will be under control, and employees will work quickly and smoothly.

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Notifications

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Push notifications are a direct way to clients' hearts. Use the platform to report on new dishes, special offers and promotions. This way you will remind you of yourself and encourage guests to come back again.

Inventory and inventory management

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Nobody likes “surprises” in the form of not having a favorite dish on the menu. With the service, you can easily track how many ingredients are left and order new stocks on time.

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Integration with automation programs

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The mobile platform easily integrates with cash programs such as R-Keeper and CRM systems such as Bitrix or 1C.

Order analytics and reports

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Using in-app analytics, get accurate data about what people are ordering, what dishes are popular, and when the restaurant works best.

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Engaging with customers

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Reviews and ratings are a chance to hear from guests and see what can be improved. After all, the faster you respond to your wishes, the more you strengthen your loyalty.

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Special offers for customers

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Everyone likes to feel special. You can set up personalized discounts and bonuses, as well as offer exclusive promotions. These little “joys” will provide regular visitors, increase loyalty and increase the average check.

Each app should meet users' needs, stand out from the competition, and offer restaurants convenient tools for growth and development. Let's take a look at how to create an application step by step.

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1. Determining the target audience

Before you dive into code and design, consider who will be using the service. Young people who order food after a party, families with kids who want a quick bite to eat, or businessmen who need a take-away lunch.

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These groups of users require different approaches, and this will help make the application convenient for each of them.

2. Analyzing competitors' apps

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Before you start developing, don't forget to see what your competitors are doing. Take a close look at what users like about delivery apps and what they're not happy with.

For example, if everyone has a standard menu catalog, it might be worth adding filters to help customers find meals faster by ingredients or calories. This spy mission is needed in order not to repeat others' mistakes and add something unique to your app.

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3. Defining functionality and writing technical specifications

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Now that you know for who and what you will be working with, it's time to clearly state what features will be in the application. Will it be a cool catalog with orders or an integration with a map to find nearby establishments? Ask these questions as you write the terms of reference. This is a plan without which the project could easily sink. In addition to basic food ordering features, consider a loyalty system for regular guests or push notifications with new promotions.

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4. UX/UI design

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The magic begins! The app should be beautiful, the navigation should be intuitive, and the design should make users want to return to the service. Imagine you have a restaurant on your phone: the menu is like a showcase where every dish is a work of art. The simple and stylish design ensures that customers will be happy to use the app.

5. Development

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Now that the plan and design are ready, it's time to get down to serious work. Programmers connect payment systems, develop product architecture, create an interface and functionality. It is important to check that the application is stable and secure. Your users need to be sure that their data is secure and that their order will arrive hasle-free.

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6. Testing and fixing bugs

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This is a really important point. An app can't be perfect right away, so it needs to be tested thoroughly. It's like trying out a new dish at a restaurant: try it, fix it, try it again. Make sure everything works as it should and that there are no bugs.

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7. Publication and promotion

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Congratulations, your product is ready to launch! But that's not all — now we need to know about it. Listing on the App Store and Google Play is just the beginning. Promote, create ad campaigns, invite first users, collect feedback and work with them. This is the only way to ensure that people start using your service.

8. App development and support

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Don't forget that the app lives even after it's released. Regular updates, new features, and solutions to guests' problems will help the service stay relevant and loved. For example, if users constantly complain that they don't have a convenient delivery tracking feature, add it to the next update and they'll love you even more.

The development of a mobile application for a restaurant helps not only to improve interaction with visitors, but also to increase the efficiency of the establishment. We've covered the main stages — from analyzing the target audience to testing and promoting — and now that you know all the points, it's time to implement your idea.

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company Beetrail offers an integrated approach to developing turnkey applications. We create modern and reliable solutions that take into account the specifics of the business: from analysis and design to launch and support.

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Request a consultation and the Beehive team will offer you the best solution for your business.

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Your success is our priority!