Running a hospitality venue is a balancing act. You're managing staff, delighting customers, and keeping a close eye on your bottom line. Every tool you use should make that job easier, not add another layer of complexity. Online ordering has become a vital part of the mix, but its true power lies in the specific features that work behind the scenes to make your day smoother and more profitable.
Instead of just thinking about it as a way to take orders online, let’s look at the built-in tools that can truly change how your venue operates. From managing the kitchen rush to offering delivery without the usual headaches, the right features help you work smarter, not harder.
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Delivery Without the Drama
Offering delivery often feels like a difficult choice. You either pay hefty commissions to third-party apps or face the cost and complication of hiring your own drivers. What if there was another way?
Modern online ordering systems can include integrated delivery solutions. This means you can offer delivery to your customers directly through your own website or app, but without managing a fleet of drivers. The system connects with on-demand driver networks to handle the logistics for you.
This approach gives you the best of both worlds. You maintain control over your customer experience and branding, and you keep more of the profit from each sale. It opens up a new revenue stream without the operational burden, allowing you to reach more customers and increase your sales.
Take Control with Kitchen Management and Order Throttling
The sound of a constantly running docket printer can be the soundtrack to a stressful shift. When orders flood in all at once, your kitchen can quickly become overwhelmed, leading to longer wait times and frazzled staff. Smart kitchen management tools built into your online ordering system can bring a sense of calm to the chaos.
Integrated Kitchen Screens: When POS is integrated to your Kitchen Screens, orders directly go to the kitchen, with all the details your staff needs, including order notes, different channels and more, so you can focus on the customer.
Order Throttling: No need to manually group orders based on delivery times, the system will automatically send orders to the screens or printers, and allow customers to order in time slots your kitchen can easily manage the rush. You can set limits on how many orders can be accepted within a certain timeframe, ensuring your chefs have the breathing room they need.
These tools allow you to pace the flow of orders to match your kitchen's capacity. This means a steadier workflow, fewer mistakes, and more consistent food quality, even during your busiest periods. Your team feels more in control, and your customers get their food faster.
Plan Ahead with Scheduled Orders and Catering
The lunch rush doesn't have to be a surprise. One of the simplest yet most effective features of online ordering is the ability for customers to schedule their orders in advance.
A customer on their morning commute can place their lunch order for a 12:30 PM pickup. A local business can schedule a catering order for the next day. These orders arrive in your system hours before they need to be ready, giving your kitchen a valuable head start.
Your team can prep ingredients during quieter periods, spreading the workload and reducing pressure during peak times. When the lunch rush hits, a portion of the orders are already prepped and ready to go. This leads to shorter ticket times, happier staff, and customers who can rely on you for quick and convenient service.
Increase your average order value with smart online ordering and insights
Do you know what your most popular dish is on a Friday night? Or which drink is most often added to an order? Your online ordering system collects this valuable data every day, and it can help you make better business decisions.
By looking at your sales reports, you can easily identify your best-selling items and your slow movers. This information is gold when it comes to refining your menu. You might discover that a particular side dish is a huge hit, prompting you to promote it more, or that a menu item isn't selling, allowing you to replace it with something more profitable.
Your floor staff knows the drill: always ask if they want fries with that, or if they’d like a drink. But when things get busy, or when you have new staff on the roster, those questions often get missed. That’s money left on the table. Your online ordering system never forgets to ask.
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Boosting average order value with suggestive upsells: The system automatically prompts customers to add items to their cart right before they check out. If they order a burger, it suggests a side of chips. If they order a coffee, it suggests a muffin or a sandwich. It’s like having your best salesperson working every single transaction, perfectly, every time.
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Spotlight your best items with featured sections: Maybe you have a high-margin dish that you want to push, or you have a surplus of ingredients for a daily special that needs to move fast. A featured menu section puts these items front and center. Instead of burying your specials deep in a category list, you can pin them to the top of your online menu. By highlighting a key category "Chef’s Favourites" or "Daily Specials" you make the decision easy for your customers. It gives you control over what sells, rather than just waiting to see what people pick
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Speed up service with easy reordering: The guy who gets the same double-shot latte every morning, the family that orders the same pizza deal every Friday night, they know what they want, and they want it fast. Oolio Online ordering allows these customers to repeat a past order with just a few clicks, they can reorder their favourite item, or the whole cart. The system remembers exactly how they liked it—no onions, extra sauce, soy milk—and adds it to the cart instantly
In hospitality, convenience is a currency. If a customer knows they can order from you in 30 seconds versus three minutes elsewhere, you win their business. By removing the friction of scrolling through menus and re-selecting modifiers, you make it incredibly easy for them to choose you again and again.
Turn Casuals into Regulars with integrated Loyalty
A customer who feels valued is a customer who comes back. While traditional punch cards have their place, integrating your loyalty program with your online ordering system makes it far more powerful.
When a customer orders online, the system can automatically track their purchases and reward them. You can see who your most frequent customers are and what they love to order. This allows you to create personalized offers that keep them coming back.
Imagine sending a special discount to a customer who hasn't ordered in a few weeks or offering a free coffee to someone on their 10th visit. It’s these small, automated touches that build a real connection and turn one-time visitors into loyal regulars who choose you over the competition.
"The system is easy to use! The technical support team always are nice and friendly. We are happy to recommend to anyone who wants to have an online ordering software and POS. A thank you to everybody there. Keep up the good work."
- Nicky, Oakleigh Fish n Chippery
It’s All About Having the Right Tools
Adopting new technology can feel like a big step, but the best online ordering systems are designed with hospitality operators in mind. They integrate smoothly with the tools you already use, making them a natural extension of your workflow.
By focusing on features that solve your problems like managing delivery, controlling kitchen flow, and building loyalty, you can do more than just sell online. You can create a more efficient, profitable, and less stressful environment for you and your team. These tools handle the repetitive tasks so you can focus on what you do best: providing great food and the service they keep coming back for.
