Elevating Your Restaurant Experience: Top Mobile App Features for 2023

In the restaurant industry, technology is the new secret ingredient that can make or break a business. With the COVID-19 pandemic accelerating the adoption of digital solutions like mobile ordering and food delivery, the importance of technology has never been clearer. As we move further into 2023, the adoption of digital solutions continues to grow, with hungry consumers embracing these convenient options as a part of their weekly routine.

Figure 1. How many order delivery/takeout at least once a week?

Now

One year ago

Two years ago

With the number of users in the meal delivery segment expected to reach 2.64 billion by 2027 according to Statista, it’s clear that the demand for convenient, digital solutions is only going to continue growing. To maintain a successful restaurant business, it’s crucial for owners to comprehend the influence of technology and keep pace with the competition. By investing in a mobile app for your restaurant, you can streamline operations, enhance the customer experience, and ultimately drive revenue. From simplifying the ordering process to providing personalised recommendations and loyalty programs, the benefits of such a decision are numerous.

Figure 2. Use of digital app to order food for off-premise occasions

Figure 3. Digital ordering growth

In this article, we’ll explore the many advantages of a mobile app for restaurants and how it can drive growth and success. Furthermore, we’ll delve into how our team of skilled developers can provide a customised mobile app solution that meets your business’s unique needs and goals.

Join us as we uncover the potential of restaurant mobile apps and learn how Modsen can help take your business to the next level.

8 Benefits of a Custom App for Restaurants and Cafes

1. Location-based marketing: reach your customers where they are

Imagine being able to reach your customers directly in their geographical area with geo-location marketing benefits. By incorporating technologies such as iBeacon and GPS-based coupons, you can create targeted marketing campaigns that increase your conversion rate and drive more traffic to your business.

2. Hassle-free reservations: let your customers book with ease

Why stress over managing reservations when your customers can do it with ease? A custom-built restaurant app allows you to effortlessly accept orders and reservations, providing your customers with a seamless and hassle-free dining experience.

Say goodbye to long wait times and confusion - with just a few taps on their phone, your customers can reserve their table at their preferred time from the comfort of their home or office. This convenience is made possible by expert restaurant app builders who understand the importance of making dining out a delightful experience.

3. Notify and delight: keep your customers informed and hungry for more

But that’s not all - by sending push notifications to your customers about exclusive deals and offers, you can ensure that your brand stays at the forefront of their minds, leading to more sales and repeat business. Plus, with a feedback and review section built into your restaurant app, you can easily gather valuable insights about your business and make improvements where needed to enhance customer satisfaction.

4. Brand awareness on the go: make your business top-of-mind

In a world where everyone’s glued to their phones, having a custom restaurant app can be a game-changer for your brand. With your app constantly present on your customers’ devices, it’s an effortless way to keep your business on their radar and make a lasting impression.

But that’s not all - your app also opens up new avenues for creating deeper brand resonance. With the ability to send push notifications about special deals, you can pique your customers’ interest and create a sense of excitement around your business.

Don’t let your brand get lost in the shuffle. Take the leap and invest in a custom restaurant app to make your business unforgettable.

5. Improve your service: listen to your customers and grow your business

Listening to your customers is the key to unlocking business growth. And what better way to do that than by including a review and feedback section in your restaurant app design?

With this feature, customers can easily share their thoughts and opinions about your business, helping you understand their needs and preferences. This valuable feedback can then be used to improve your services and expand your business in the right direction.

Don’t underestimate the power of customer insights - they’re the key to staying ahead of the competition and growing your brand.

6. Boost customer loyalty: keep them coming back for more

Creating a loyal customer base is crucial for the long-term success of any restaurant. That’s where customer loyalty programs come in - and with a custom-built app, it’s easier than ever to implement them.

By offering incentives and rewards to your app users, you can give them even more reasons to choose your restaurant over the competition. From freebies to exclusive deals, your customers will feel appreciated and motivated to keep coming back for more.

But it’s not just about the rewards - a well-executed loyalty program can help you build a strong and engaged user base, creating a community of loyal customers who are passionate about your brand.

7. Encourage returning visits: make your customers feel valued

In today’s competitive restaurant landscape, it’s not enough to simply serve great food. You need to engage your customers on a deeper level and make them feel valued - and a custom restaurant app can help you do just that.

With a customer loyalty program and various gamification approaches, you can encourage returning visits and keep your customers coming back for more. From earning points to unlocking exclusive rewards, your app users will feel like they`re part of a fun and engaging community centered around your restaurant.

And the best part? Studies have shown that customers who use loyalty programs are more likely to return. By investing in a custom restaurant app, you’re not just providing a great user experience - you’re also setting your restaurant up for long-term success.

8. Enhance your online reputation: get great reviews and improve rankings

Finally, with a custom-built app, you’ll be able to encourage customers to leave positive reviews and ratings on popular platforms like Yelp, Google, and TripAdvisor. This not only helps to improve your online reputation, but it also increases your visibility and attracts new customers to your restaurant.

Turning Restaurant App Into Outstanding Tool: 10 Solutions Making it Possible

Let’s take a moment to consider this: if you’re thinking about investing in a restaurant app, you’re on the right track towards modernising your business. Congratulations! However, before you take the plunge, it’s crucial to understand that not all apps are made equal.

We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 must-have features for a restaurant app that will not only simplify the ordering process but also help you build a loyal customer base through personalised menus, loyalty programs, and more. And Modsen team of experienced software developers can do it for you right away! While settling for a subpar app may seem like an option, why not strive for excellence? By embracing professionalism and incorporating these essential features, you’ll elevate your restaurant game and impress your customers. Trust us, the payoff is worth it.

1. Loyalty, rewards, and discount programs to build customer relationships

According to a study by Clutch.co 37% of customers search for a mobile app to find discounts. As a result, offering a loyalty program through a mobile app can be an effective way to increase customer engagement and transactions. To ensure the loyalty program meets the specific needs of the business, it should offer single-card loyalty programs for single locations and multi-card loyalty programs for multiple locations. Additionally, incorporating a statistical interface in the mobile app can provide insights into customer behavior and preferences, allowing businesses to make data-driven decisions.

2. Mobile payments and online ordering

As we look towards the future of the meal delivery industry, it’s clear that online ordering services will be crucial for restaurants to remain competitive. With the convenience of mobile apps, customers can enjoy shorter wait times and a streamlined payment process. In fact, according to Deloitte, customer spending increases by 20% when orders are placed through technology. To fully optimize the benefits of online experience, it’s important for restaurants to include push notifications for ordering as a key feature.

3. Table reservation

For restaurants seeking to elevate their dining experience, integrating a table reservation feature into their mobile app is crucial. This is particularly true for high-end establishments that have a strict no walk-in policy or for smaller restaurants that pride themselves on serving quality food. Additionally, offering customers the option to pre-order online can lead to faster dining experiences without any unnecessary waiting periods, making it a must-have feature for any restaurant app.

4. Location-based solutions

Restaurants can enhance their customer engagement by utilising location-based services, such as geofencing and beacons, in their mobile apps. By leveraging these technologies, you can interact with your customers even before they arrive at the physical location. Incorporating these features into your restaurant app is a smart way to increase foot traffic and ultimately, boost revenue.

5. Social media integration

Social media integration is an absolute necessity for any business in this digitised world. According to recent data, 40% of customers want to hear from their favorite restaurants once a month or more By regularly uploading photos and engaging with customers on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, restaurants can strengthen their brand identity and foster a sense of community among their followers. Discounts and loyalty programs can also be connected with social media, and customers can earn reward points while inviting their friends, creating new customers and enticing existing ones to place repeat orders.

6. Chatbots

AI-based chatbots are taking personalisation to another level, providing information, offers, discounts, and follow-ups and handling basic queries. They can also work on social media and websites and help bring repeated business.

7. Customer feedback portal

By allowing users to share their experiences, the app gains valuable insights on how to improve its functionality and enhance the overall user experience. Not only does this help the restaurant in identifying and resolving any issues, but it also shows that they value their customers’ opinions and are committed to providing the best possible service. This, in turn, can help build a loyal customer base and attract new customers through positive word of mouth.

8. Online food tracking

Real-time progress of food orders and the location of delivery personnel assures users of their orders and makes the waiting process less tiresome. Push notifications update users with their order status, and delivery partner’s details can be shared with this feature.

9. Gamification

Gamification features introduce a system of achievements, challenges, and tournaments that promote loyalty programs among users. In-app currency can be offered after a user reaches certain stages of achievement, which can be used to pay for orders. Gamification solution increases engagement and attract users with loyalty points. And with the added benefit of a customer feedback portal, restaurant owners can continuously improve their gamification strategy and overall app functionality.

10. Quick ordering or order scheduling

Quick order and order scheduling features enhance the customer experience, allowing customers to add their favorite food items or previously ordered dishes directly to the cart and place a quick order. A mobile food delivery app can offer an order scheduling feature that allows customers to schedule an order for a specific time, making it easier for users to place multiple orders simultaneously.

Why Building Your Restaurant’s Mobile App with Modsen

We pride ourselves on providing exceptional restaurant app solutions that go beyond the norm. Our team of expert developers works tirelessly to deliver bespoke mobile applications that drive revenue growth and enhance customer engagement.

One example of our success in this field is our work with a large seafood chain in the United States. They came to us with a problem: outdated technology that was hindering their competitiveness in the marketplace. We worked closely with them to develop a cutting-edge app with an exclusive interface that made it easy for customers to order online. By incorporating a well-designed loyalty program and push notifications with discounts and special offers, we created an app that kept customers coming back for more.

In another instance, we worked with a restaurant chain in Amsterdam that was struggling with inefficiencies and lost profit margins due to their hands-on approach. Our team developed a mobile app that streamlined their operations by providing real-time inventory updates, menu management, and order tracking. As a result, the restaurant chain saved time and money while increasing customer satisfaction.

Partnering with Modsen means you’ll receive more than just a run-of-the-mill restaurant app. You can expect transformative UI/UX design, cutting-edge features, and personalised solutions that are tailored to your specific business needs. Trust us to help you take your restaurant to the next level.

Conclusion

Developing a successful mobile app for your restaurant requires more than just basic features like menus and online ordering. With online food delivery becoming a booming industry, implementing innovative and compelling functionalities is crucial to meeting the needs of modern-day consumers. By investing in a comprehensive mobile app that includes features like loyalty programs, push notifications, real-time tracking, and more you can engage customers, streamline operations, and increase revenue. So don’t miss out on the opportunity to grow your restaurant business with a mobile app that meets the needs of your customers and your bottom line.