Step Out of Tablet Hell & Into Streamlined Delivery for Restaurants

Picture this: it’s a busy Friday night at your restaurant. Your kitchen is juggling indoor diners, terrace enjoyers, and to-go orders simultaneously. Having to check three on-demand delivery app tablets while trying to manage sit-in orders has backlogged and confused the chefs, leading to mixed-up deliveries and some very disgruntled diners. The overwhelming ordering system has impacted your numbers on that particular evening and also left a bad taste in the mouths of customers who were kept waiting or received incorrect meals. And the proof is in the data—a survey of 42,000 people found that 35% of delivery customers who used an app had an issue with it, but almost half of these customers blamed the restaurant.
 
Now, imagine if there was technology that could simplify your ordering system.
 
That’s where an online order aggregator steals the show! Trust us when we say it’ll turn total tablet hell into total tablet organisation. How? Let’s get into it.

What’s an Online Order Aggregator?

First things first: what is an online order aggregator? Also referred to as an order integrator, the term online order aggregator describes technology that combines all your delivery app tablets and other delivery technology onto one platform. These platforms take the orders from your multiple delivery apps and direct them to the correct printer so everyone is in the loop without monitoring numerous tablets. You’ll enjoy the ease of managing everything to do with delivery in one place and be able to combine your reporting so you can compare numbers and make better decisions for your restaurant.

4 Ways an Online Order Aggregator Simplifies Delivery

There are many benefits of an online order aggregator, but here are the top four you’ll notice almost instantly:

1. Greater staff efficiency & reduction in human error

Combining all your delivery app tablets into one platform naturally creates a more efficient shift for your employees. They don’t have to spend extra time checking two, three, or even four tablets, and instead will only be keeping tabs on one. The work will get done faster and with fewer errors that can impact customer experience and your star ratings on delivery apps. Consistent low star ratings will bury your restaurant on the app, making it harder for customers to order from and even find your business as an option when browsing.

2. Reduce labour costs

Online order aggregate company Deliverect boasts a 25% reduction in labour costs for restaurants that utilise their technology. Because staff no longer need to spend extra time managing multiple tablets, they can assist the restaurant in different ways. This means fewer staff are required to work during busier shifts, saving your business money over time.

3. Make your menus more economical

Some online order aggregators have built-in menu management technology that allows you to update menus across channels efficiently; now, you don’t have to spend valuable time manually updating your menu on each app platform. This technology makes it easier to know your inventory at a glance, meaning you can quickly place freezes on sold-out items across all your channels at once.

4. Combine delivery efforts

Simplify the delivery process even further by pairing an online order aggregator with a delivery partner. When an order comes through, your delivery partner can alert a courier to head to your location to pick up and drop off any order, regardless of which app or platform it was placed through. As a result, there’s less room for error and confusion during order hand-offs from your restaurant to the couriers.

Is There Specific Online Aggregator Technology I Should Try?

On-demand delivery management is a breeze with online order aggregators like these two that integrate seamlessly with Stuart.

Otter: Otter defines itself as “a delivery management and optimisation platform that helps your restaurant increase sales and efficiency.” It centralises your incoming orders onto one tablet that can connect directly to your POS. Declutter your space, manage your order workflow, access order insights, and update menus across all platforms from one place.

Deliverect: Deliverect is a similar solution to Otter. As an online order management software, your inventory can sync with your online sales platform, and your online orders can be integrated into your POS system. They have a simplified menu builder and built-in Pickup Manager for delivery drivers, reducing the chaos you experience in-house. This means staff are spending less time managing apps in your back-of-house and more time front-of-house with customers.

How Stuart Works with Online Order Aggregators for Your On-Demand Delivery Needs

Although popular food delivery apps are a great first step to helping restaurants reach new customers, they also have limitations. One drawback is commission cost, which can sometimes run up to 30% or more. Partnering with last-mile delivery providers like Stuart gives you more control over your earnings (we don’t take commission) and the freedom to tweak your delivery process as you see fit. Plus, pairing Stuart with an online order aggregator means all your deliveries will be picked up and dropped off by couriers sent from us, simplifying your restaurant’s hand-off process. We integrate seamlessly with a variety of software, like Otter and Deliverect, so you can keep a pulse on all your technology in one place. Take a look at all our integrations here.

Interested in learning more about delivery for restaurants? Download our Food Guide to understand the various food delivery options. You’ll get access to essential statistics and information to help you make the right delivery decisions for your business.