How Technology Can Help Offset Staff Challenges on Holidays like Cinco De Mayo and Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day and Cinco De Mayo are both popular holidays that people love to celebrate by going out to eat. Restaurants are often packed on these days, with long wait times and crowded dining rooms. However, with the help of restaurant technology, these holidays can be improved for both restaurant owners and their customers.

Here are a few ways that restaurant technology can improve holidays like Mother’s Day and Cinco De Mayo:

Online Reservations and Waitlist Management

One of the biggest pain points for customers on busy holidays is the long wait times to be seated. With online reservation systems and waitlist management software, restaurants can better manage their tables and reduce wait times. Customers can easily make reservations or join a waitlist through the restaurant’s website or mobile app, without having to call and wait on hold. The software can also help the restaurant estimate wait times and keep customers updated via text message or email.

Mobile Ordering and Payment

Another way that technology can improve the dining experience on busy holidays is through mobile ordering and payment, such as OneDine Checkout. Customers can use their smartphones to view menus, place orders, and pay for their meals without having to wait for a server. This can help restaurants streamline their operations and reduce the amount of time customers spend waiting for service. Thus, increasing table turns (did you know that with OneDine Checkout alone, you can turn up to 2 more tables per shift?) Plus, it can also reduce the need for physical contact with menus and payment terminals, which is especially important after the last few years the world has experienced.

Tableside Technology

Tableside technology, such as OneDine’s otg tablets or kiosks, can also improve the dining experience on busy holidays. Customers can use the devices to place orders, customize their meals, and even play games or browse social media while they wait. This can help keep customers entertained and engaged while they wait for their food, reducing the likelihood of them becoming frustrated or impatient. Tableside technology can also help restaurants reduce labor costs by automating certain tasks, such as taking orders or processing payments.

Data Analytics

Finally, data analytics can help restaurants improve their operations and customer experience on busy holidays. By analyzing data such as sales trends, customer feedback, and wait times, restaurants can identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions to optimize their operations. For example, if a restaurant notices that customers are consistently experiencing long wait times on certain holidays, they may choose to expand their dining room or hire more staff to meet demand.

Restaurant technology can greatly improve holidays like Mother’s Day and Cinco De Mayo for both restaurant owners and their customers. By implementing online reservations and waitlist management, mobile ordering and payment, tableside technology, and data analytics, restaurants can streamline their operations, reduce wait times, and provide a more enjoyable dining experience for customers & a much more profitable holiday for the restaurant.