Enhance Restaurant Online Ordering with Upsells

The restaurant industry is a tough one. Every day, you're faced with the challenge of getting the most profit out of your business while also making sure your guests are happy. Upselling is one way to do both—but it can be difficult to know where to start. Most restaurant owners know that online ordering is a great way to get new customers. But did you know that it can also be an opportunity to upsell to your existing customers? Restaurants have the potential to increase their profits significantly by offering new menu items or additional side dishes during online ordering. 

Ordering out has never been easier. With new mobile apps and websites designed for takeout, delivery, and online ordering, anyone can order a meal without ever having to leave their house. In fact, statistics show that more people have ordered food online than through traditional phone calls. And with the option of placing an order with the tap of a button on your smartphone or tablet, it's no wonder why so many people are ordering their meals online these days.

When it comes to online ordering and upselling, there are numerous reasons why restaurant owners should be jumping on board. In addition to attracting more customers and increasing revenue, it's also a great way to get loyal customers to order more. An average online order is 20% more than the base order amount. But there is a lot of confusion surrounding what exactly upselling is, and how restaurant owners can go about setting it up, so let's talk about it!

What is Upselling?

The art of upselling is something that most people don't know about, and it's something that restaurants do on a daily basis. Upselling is simply persuading customers to buy more than what they came in for. This can be done in a variety of ways, and this article will discuss some of the most effective ways to upsell at your own restaurant.

First, let's start with what not to do when attempting to upsell. You should never try to force someone into buying something they don't want or need. If you do that, you'll end up losing their business and possibly damaging your reputation with them as well. 

How to Upsell in a Restaurant

When done properly, upselling is a great way for restaurants to increase their revenue and enhance their customer relationships. But it's not always easy to do. How do you know which items are worth upselling and which aren't? Well, we've got some tips for you! Here are 5 effective ways of upselling in a restaurant:

1. Ask questions. It's important to remember that upselling is not a one-size-fits-all approach—it's about customizing your pitch to each customer, based on their needs and wants.  Don't just ask if they want anything else; ask them why they chose what they did, or if there's anything else they would like instead. Don't just throw random items at them. Offer suggestions based on what they've ordered before or based on their preferences or allergies—and then give them a chance to change their minds if they don't like those suggestions! If they say no then stop asking questions because otherwise it will come off as pushy and could steer away their business.

2. Use the menu. Look at the menu before you start talking about upselling. Are there any items that could be combined with another item on the menu for a better value? Is there an appetizer or side dish that can be served with the main course without adding too much to the price? Are there any drinks or desserts that could be offered in addition to another drink or dessert? If so, let your guests know about these possibilities when they're placing their order!

3. Train to upsell. Make sure all staff members are trained on how to upsell effectively and understand what items work well together plus why they do. If you want to sell more drinks but don't want to increase food costs by adding another course, consider offering guests a discount if they purchase an entrée with a drink or two. 

4. Give out samples. Offer free samples if you sell food items that are new to your customers or if they haven’t tried them yet (like dessert). This will help increase sales by making sure that they know exactly what they’re getting before they order it—and it can also help boost customer satisfaction too!

5. Use technology. Make sure your restaurant has an online ordering system that can intelligently upsell additional food items during guest checkout based on guest preferences and past purchases by other guests. That way you aren't just throwing random items at them—you're getting them what they want! This will also help reduce friction during checkout while maximizing results!

Combining Upsells with Online Ordering

Upselling is a great way to make more money at your restaurant, but it can also be intimidating, especially if you're not used to it.

Luckily, upselling is easy when you integrate it seamlessly with your online ordering process. With the power of AI technology, restaurants can now combine online ordering with upsells seamlessly. The recommendation software intelligently upsells additional items during guest checkout based on guest preferences and past purchases by other guests. This means that you don't have to worry about losing money by pushing extra items on people who don't want them; instead, you can focus on getting your customers the things they actually want.

Upselling is one of the most critical components of a successful online ordering platform. It’s a powerful way to generate revenue and build guest loyalty. A great guest experience hinges on the ability to know what your guests are ordering and recommend the right items. The recommendations engine applies machine learning to autonomously suggest upsells and cross-sells as guests checkout via the restaurant app or branded web ordering. 

Implementing upselling at checkout is not just about enticing more people to purchase more food. It's about giving guests the experience that you care about their preferences and offering them something personalized. It improves your customer's experience by adding value-added products they can use while dining in your restaurant or take home as takeout. With intelligent upsells, you increase your revenue and enhance guest satisfaction!

When you think about it, it makes perfect sense to order ahead and upsell. It's not just convenient for customers, but it can also be beneficial for restaurant owners. Online ordering and upselling is a win-win for both parties involved and for the overall industry. Upselling and online ordering are two different ways that restaurants are helping to increase profits. Ultimately, both of these methods are beneficial to the restaurant industry, and they will continue to see a rise in popularity as customers demand more accepting and interactive options.

If you're a restaurant owner, you already know that it takes money to make money. Luckily, when it comes to online ordering and upselling, these tasks can be relatively inexpensive, but they are also incredibly beneficial to your bottom line!