Navigating Labor Shortage & Inflation: How a Mobile App Can Help Your Restaurant

Introduction

The restaurant industry is one of the most challenging businesses in the world. Not only do you have to compete with chains and fast food restaurants, but you also have to contend with ever-changing labor costs and inflation.

Fortunately, there is a solution: launching a mobile app for your restaurant. With a mobile app, you can minimize labor costs while still providing an excellent customer experience.

In this post, we'll discuss the benefits of a mobile app for restaurants and how you can get started. So let's get started!

What Is the Restaurant Industry Facing?

You're probably reading this on your phone. And that's because you're a busy person who wants information fast. Your regular customers are no different. We're all looking for convenient ways to save time, and ordering through a restaurant's mobile app is one way to do that.

But don't take our word for it. According to a study by Forrester, restaurants that have a mobile app see significant growth in their business. They also manage labor shortages better and fight inflation more effectively than those without an app. Plus, customers have better experiences with restaurants that have a mobile app, leading to increased revenue for the business.

The Role of Mobile Apps in Restaurants

So is a mobile app really worth your time and investment?

The answer is a resounding "yes!" – especially in today's competitive restaurant landscape. Mobile apps offer a number of advantages to restaurants, such as advanced menu ordering, secure payments and point-of-sale (POS) integration. Plus, they can help you build customer loyalty and keep your customers coming back for more.

In short, having a mobile app can help your restaurant to outrank the competition and keep up with the latest consumer trends. Your customers have become accustomed to using DoorDash, and there's no reason you shouldn't emulate that experience with your own app.

How Mobile Apps Can Help Restaurants Reduce Labor Costs

It's no secret that the restaurant industry is facing a labor shortage. With the current economy, people are more likely to want to stay in a remote job or in the gig economy instead of jumping ship for a new opportunity in the foodservice industry. So what can you do as a restaurant owner to combat this challenge?

One option is to invest in a mobile app that can enable tableside ordering. How? POS systems like Toast and Square already offer this via a web interface, and now mobile app builders like Per Diem offer this capability as a white-label app for your restaurant.

Considerations for Launching a Mobile App

Ramping up a restaurant’s labor force is costly and timely, so why not look into the cost savings of a mobile app? By launching a mobile app, restaurants are able to streamline customer interactions and website visits, allowing customers to browse through the menu and place orders. This saves valuable staff resources, making it easier for restaurants to handle high-traffic periods during peak hours and saving on labor costs in the long run.

Plus, having a mobile presence is now key for businesses – customers are looking for easy access to all the information and services they need. A restaurant that fails to keep up with today’s tech can quickly find itself out of place. So don your work boots and get ready to embrace this new world of digital technology – because launching an app may be all you need to keep your restaurant competitive.

Advantages of Using a Mobile App to Save on Labor Costs

Mobile apps can not only make it easier for your staff to fulfill orders internally, but they also make it so much simpler for customers to book tables and place orders online. This means less time spent waiting in line or dealing with customers in person. And that leads to less money spent on labor costs.

Best Practices for Launching an App in the Restaurant Industry

Before launching your app, research the waters to gage customer interest. If you're unsure, you could always conduct a poll or survey to gain further insight. That way, when you launch your app, you can be sure your customers are all aboard.

Once you're all set to launch, keep in mind that a restaurant app should do more than just dish out orders and process payments. Think of the ways in which it can serve up more than just food — like discounts and promotions, loyalty programs and rewards, and personalized menus tailored to a customer's preferences.

Conclusion

So there you have it. In a nutshell, by launching a mobile ordering app, you can help your restaurant navigate the current labor shortage and inflation crisis, and boost your profitability in the process. Just don't forget to password protect your margarita recipe.

‍