TLDR

Having a coffee shop within reach of your doorstep has always been a great luxury. But during the pandemic, a lot of coffee shops had to adjust their services in order to remain open and safe. One of the biggest trends that's been sweeping the suburbs is curbside pickup for coffee orders, and more and more coffee shops are hopping on the bandwagon.

So what does this mean for your daily caffeine fix? How can you make sure you can take advantage of curbside pickup services? Here, we'll discuss the increased popularity of curbside pickup from suburban coffee shops—and how it can benefit you. We'll also cover what you need to know about taking advantage of these new services. With some careful consideration and knowledge, you'll soon be able to enjoy your morning cup of joe in record time!

What Is Curbside Pickup?

Curbside pickup has been on the rise in suburban areas, and it's no wonder why—it's fast, convenient and safe.

So, what is curbside pickup exactly? Basically, it's when customers place an online order for pick up at a local store. Store associates then package the order and bring it out to the consumer's vehicle. This way, customers can quickly stop by for curbside food pickup without even leaving their car!

It's a great way to get coffee shop favorites like lattes, muffins and other snacks without the hassle of going into the store. Plus, with curbside pickup becoming more popular in suburban areas, you'll be able to grab all your favorites faster than ever before.

Leveraging Square POS for Curbside Pickup

Coffee shops in the suburbs are quickly adapting to new customer trends, like curbside pickup. For those who aren't already familiar with the concept, curbside pickup means that customers can order and pay for their coffee (or whatever else) online, and then swing by to pick up their order without having to go inside. It's a win-win: customers get what they want without the hassle of entering the store, and coffee shops can keep a healthy social distance.

To make this key feature easier and smoother for both customer and shop owner alike, leveraging Square POS systems can provide added benefits like text message notifications when orders are ready. With Square Online, customers have the ability to request curbside pickup from their cart page—no app required! And if you’re running a Weebly store, it’s easy and straightforward for customers to request curbside pickup with just a click of a button.

Square POS Integration also opens up new possibilities beyond just curbside pickup - think loyalty programs, customer feedback surveys, and mobile ordering with delivery or pickup all within one experience. With this integrated solution, coffee shops in the suburbs can not only keep up with customer demand but also unlock potential opportunities for growth in their business!

Adopting Order Ahead & Mobile Apps

Many coffee shops in the suburbs are now adopting order ahead and mobile apps in order to make curbside pickup as smooth as possible for customers. These digital capabilities allow customers to buy and pay for their drinks from the convenience of their own device.

Starbucks has transformed their store portfolio by building on mobile ordering and contactless pick-up experiences, which let customers order ahead, skip the line, and go straight through the drive-thru. They've been offering this service since before the pandemic and have seen success during it due to its convenience.

Another great example is Per Diem, a white-label mobile app platform especially designed for independent coffee shops that already use Square as their POS. This offers a contactless payment option for curbside pick-up that saves time and increases sales for coffee shop owners.

Possibilities for Upcoming Suburban Coffee Shops

You may be wondering what all this means for the next generation of coffee shops.

Well, it's great news: With more than 10% growth in U.S. coffee-chain sales from June 2021 to June 2022, and drive-thru locations representing about 60% of Starbucks stores, there is a huge potential for suburban coffee shops to capitalize on this trend and offer curbside pickup or drive-thru services.

In addition, since last May, coffee-shop foot traffic has surpassed 2019 levels, so there are plenty of opportunities for existing businesses to evolve and become an even bigger success. There is also a lot of potential for new businesses to open up to capitalize on the surge in demand for curbside pickup and drive thru services.

Final Thoughts

In the current climate, no-contact commerce is here to stay and it offers convenience and peace of mind. As we move towards a convenience-based economy, it's clear that curbside pickup is gaining more and more traction in the suburbs.

It seems safe to say that in the future, curbside pickup will have become a standard service for coffee shops in the burbs, complete with smartphone apps and other streamlined ways to order and pay. Coffee shops will eventually become part of the no-contact commerce revolution, using apps and POS systems to streamline their operations and give customers the convenience they crave.