Pay at table restaurants are an innovative solution to simplify the casual dining experience. Restaurant duties can become abundant, and wait staff can quickly feel overwhelmed.

The restaurant industry is adding digital payment processing software to tables, allowing customers and servers to act more efficiently. Plus, it offers eateries more flexibility regarding how they optimize their time, space, and team duties.

But before we jump into the many benefits of pay at table restaurants, let’s define the concept.

What Are Pay At Table Restaurants?

Pay at table restaurants are eateries that offer payment devices or QR codes on each table. They speed up the process of serving customers, which helps restaurants increase profits.

Restaurants can also allow payments via virtual wallets. Contactless payments are becoming increasingly popular as more businesses nurture a digital transformation, and this is one of many ways to accommodate all your guests.

In addition to streamlining restaurant operations, pay at table restaurants can produce higher profits than competitors. Continue reading to learn about the six ways this new technology in restaurants can support your business.

1. Quick Table Turnover

Pay at table devices often feature the ability to order menu items. Customers can view a digital menu and choose items that get sent directly to the kitchen staff.

Sometimes, customers sit down in a restaurant and know exactly what they want. Or, they make their decision before their server returns. In these scenarios, the ability to digitally order food can save time. The faster a customer places their order, the faster their food will arrive. And remember, fed customers are happy customers.

As a restaurant becomes busier throughout a shift, it can be time-consuming to deliver checks to parties that are ready to leave. It takes a few minutes to get the check and handle the transaction. At pay at table restaurants, servers and customers can avoid this issue.

Pay at table devices offer multiple payment options so that customers can pay the bill on their own. The turnover rate is much faster, allowing eateries to serve more people. In turn, pay at table devices help in boosting the overall restaurant profit margin.

2. Lessen Wait Times

Pay at table devices allows customers to order food and pay the bill on their own time. Digital payment options don’t require a server to be present.

Such devices also free up a lot of time for the wait staff. In doing so, they can handle more critical tasks, including dish returns, removing wrong menu items, etc.

Some eateries allow customers to pay the bill at the register. Though it may seem like a convenient option, it can be time-consuming if there are long lines, faulty payment processors, or other case scenarios. By adding pay at table devices, customers can skip the hassle of waiting in line and head out the door as they please.

Though it’s unlikely that wait staff prolongs the time in-between visits to each table, it’s not always in their control. Numerous tasks go into running a restaurant, so they may be in the midst of catching up. With this in mind, obtaining a digital solution beneficial to both sides of the situation is simpler.

Pay at table restaurants operate by adding less stress to the servers. As a result, the wait staff will likely be more efficient and productive. It’s a win-win for both parties and is an effective solution for operational efficiency.

3. Better Payment Security

Payments via debit or credit cards are secure–especially when customers can process the payment on their own. Pay at table devices cannot accept cash, simplifying the experience of using one.

Errors can take place when servers manually process your payment. By removing the middle person between the customer and POS system, people can feel confident that their transaction is accurate.

Integrated ordering systems boost security measures and lessen the risk of fraudulent charges. Payment and personal information are safe when a server doesn’t have to retrieve your cards. It’s no surprise that customers are more comfortable when their card never leaves their sight.

As servers are run back and forth between the kitchen, tables, and register, there’s also a risk of customers receiving the check for another party. Though it may seem unlikely, minor errors like this can dictate whether a customer returns.

Customers also have a clearer view of what they paid for on the checkout page, as the itemization is laid out to review. In some cases, customers can even tap a button to alert their server that they need assistance if something is incorrect.

The ability to easily communicate with your server while lessening the wait time is a combination that will come in handy once it’s time to pay the bill.

4. Streamline Restaurant Operations

When restaurant staff has more time to handle important tasks, they can streamline restaurant operations much more efficiently. It also helps that pay at table devices record all of the customers’ information.

From food orders to personal data, pay at table restaurants can leverage accessible information to streamline operations. For instance, inventory insights will help calculate the right amount of stock to order and which meal prep practices the kitchen staff should prioritize.

From a marketing perspective, customer data can initiate promotions. When you combine perks with seamless restaurant technology, you create a recipe for an effective strategy.

Simplifying restaurant operations will also allow the entire staff to stay on track. Has there ever been a guest with severe allergies who dined at your restaurant? Or, has there ever been a special event held in your private dining room? These are just a handful of examples of when your wait staff must remain calm and give a particular party their undivided attention.

Pay at table restaurants eliminate the stress for staff and guests alike. With this in mind, the investment and onboarding processes will be worthwhile in the long run.

5. Fewer Returns

Pay at table restaurants that utilize their devices to help place orders help ensure accuracy. When a customer chooses menu items from their table device, the information will go straight to the host and sous chef.

Kitchen staff no longer have to rely on servers to retrieve every single order. Plus, the accuracy helps streamline inventory management techniques. If a restaurant ordering system clearly states which dish a customer is paying for, ingredient quantities can be calculated, too. Strategic planning will also decrease restaurant expenses and eliminate the risk of inventory shrinkage.

When servers manually take orders, there is room for human error. From mishearing alterations to misspelling dish names, it’s always possible for the kitchen staff to create the wrong order. If customers choose to return a dish, kitchen operations and inventory tracking can stray off track.

To avoid these kinds of complexities in your business, use a restaurant inventory management system to help accurately take inventory and streamline orders. Book a demo with BlueCart to learn more about how a single app can do wonders for profits.

6. Better Customer Service

In a restaurant, great customer satisfaction begins with an excellent wait staff. Once you eliminate the number of tasks your employees have to tackle, there will be more time for guests.

When servers are constantly nearby to help customers, it leaves them with a positive impression. Happy customers can help promote your business more than some of the best restaurant marketing ideas you can imagine.

Word-of-mouth marketing is one of the most powerful strategies to boost awareness, which begins when people have great things to say in the first place. It’ll be even more effective if you have ways for customers to share feedback online. Whether it be Google or social media reviews, you’re sure to have potential customers eyeing your restaurant.

Pay at table devices can also show customers which figures equal various gratuity amounts. This feature will encourage your guests to add appropriate tips to the bill, providing the staff with the right income.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pay At Table Restaurants

How Do You Use Table Pay?

Pay at table restaurants allow customers to order food and pay the check by scanning a custom QR code or using a portable POS system. The technology enables digital payments and receipts.

Most tableside payment technology allows customers to swipe or insert a card to pay, which accommodates more popular payment methods. Plus, they’re more secure than traditional methods involving cash.

Whether customers typically pay with mobile wallets or cards, pay at table devices provide options. The convenient POS system features offer a stellar customer experience and a simpler shift for the entire wait staff.

What Does “Pay-At-Table” Mean?

The term “pay-at-table” means that restauranteurs can pay their bill with digital devices. Such devices offer digital restaurant menus and checkout pages, allowing customers to take control of their dining experience.

Are Pay at table Solutions Better?

Yes, pay at table restaurants are more efficient than others. The ability to speed up ordering and payment processes is beneficial for various factors of running a restaurant.