How Square and OpenTable set restaurants up for success this summer

As we reach the peak travel season in the summer months, restaurants from London through to Liverpool, Manchester and beyond have an opportunity to capitalise on the extra footfall and entice both new and existing customers.

While it can be difficult to navigate the extra demand the Great British Summertime brings and keep on top of bookings, Square’s integration with OpenTable is designed to solve this challenge.

Recent data from Square’s customer base showed that 55% of restaurants are using multiple applications when it comes to managing their back of house operations and 19% are doing so with no integration. But there are solutions available that allow restaurants to create a seamless experience, from automating bookings, to gaining insight into the average spend per table and creating more personalised experiences.

This all helps to create a more positive customer experience and bring in increased revenue. Imagine ditching pen and paper for an automated up to date system, or processing contactless payments, rather than restricting consumers to cash payments only. Businesses like The Pigs Nose Inn, a bustling traditional English pub and an independent music venue in the beachside town of Devon have done just this.

Before turning to OpenTable to manage bookings, the pub tried doing a pen-and-paper approach with a reservation book - but the phone didn’t stop ringing, meaning it was difficult to keep up with demand. Within five months of activating OpenTable through Square, the restaurant has seen a 10-20% increase in customers. It’s also driven bookings, by giving customers more visibility of The Pigs Nose Inn on the OpenTable platform.

In addition, the Inn uses Square for Restaurants Plus to manage everything from marketing and payments to organising the staff and kitchen. For example,staff previously took written orders at the bar and walked them to the kitchen. With the Square Kitchen Display System, orders are automatically transferred to the kitchen, which saves time and doesn’t leave customers waiting or staff having to run back and forth.

To make the customer experience that much more enjoyable and personalised, the OpenTable integration enables staff to see diner history and preferences quickly and easily. Whether it’s details on the customer’s dietary requirements, or their birthday, staff have this essential information right at their fingertips.

Technology can go a long way to create more personalised experiences and this doesn’t have to mean a complete overhaul of existing systems. There are small steps restaurants can take that will really add up to success during the busy summer period, and beyond.

THE REVIEWS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES

Efficient and helpful service from start to finish. Superlative product quality. The process of choosing an awning suitable to our needs and budget was helped by the expert knowledge of the team. We needed a fast turnaround and that’s what we got. From placing the order to fitting, took less than two weeks. We had a choice from hundreds of fabric patterns which we simply would not have had if we had gone elsewhere. The installation team worked tidily and completed the job in a timely manner. Based on our experience of Indigo Awnings, we would have no hesitation in recommending them to others.

• increased revenue

• increased capacity

• improved curb appeal

• enhanced atmosphere

• multiple dining experiences some benefits of sheltered outdoor areas:

• wider audience reach

• ability to book private events

• no need for costly extensions

• better competitive advantage

• free promotion with branding

• year round weather protection

• improved customer satisfaction

• space to host functions/events

• improved reviews