Tag: #StarForSmallBiz

3 Key Advantages of Online Food Ordering for Today’s Customers
Online food ordering has become a standard part of how customers interact with restaurants and QSR brands. What began as a convenience and accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved into an essential way people discover menus, place orders, and enjoy meals on their own terms.

Today, the advantages of online food ordering extend far beyond convenience. From faster ordering and improved accuracy to greater flexibility and control, digital ordering continues to redefine the customer dining experience. In this post, we explore the key benefits of online food ordering and why it remains a core part of the modern food service landscape.

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Table of Contents

Key Advantages of Online Food Ordering for Customers

The advantages of ordering food online for customers center on convenience, flexibility, and access to a wider range of dining options.

1. A Convenient, Streamlined Experience

The primary benefit of online food ordering is its unmatched convenience. Customers enjoy the flexibility of ordering from any location, eliminating the need to travel for meal collection. Features such as easy reordering, queue avoidance, and enhanced order accuracy significantly streamline the dining experience.

These conveniences not only strengthen customer relationships but also encourage repeat ordering. Digital ordering platforms allow restaurants to meet customer expectations while supporting efficient, low-friction service.

2. Catering to Evolving Dining Preferences

Dining habits have continued to evolve as customers look for options that support both in-restaurant and at-home experiences. Online food ordering platforms help meet these expectations by offering flexible pickup, delivery, and ordering options that fit modern lifestyles.

This shift reflects long-term changes in how people choose to dine, not just a short-term response to the pandemic.

Explore Labeling Solutions for Online Ordering >

3. Expanded Choices and Added Value

Online food ordering gives customers access to a wider range of dining options and promotions. Digital platforms often feature exclusive deals, loyalty rewards, and seasonal offers that enhance value and encourage exploration.

Virtual menus also make it easier for customers to discover new cuisines and customize their orders. High-quality images and clear descriptions create a more engaging and confident ordering experience.

Meeting The Online Order Surge: How Hardware Impacts Efficiency

To stay competitive as a business owner, you must be able to handle the surge in online orders, and one crucial aspect of this is re-evaluating your hardware systems.

Explore How Hardware Effects Operations

Online Orders with Star Micronics’ CloudPRNT Next Technology

To fully support the advantages of online food ordering for both restaurants and customers, execution behind the scenes matters. Star Micronics developed CloudPRNT Next to ensure online orders move reliably from digital platforms to the kitchen without disruption.

CloudPRNT Next simplifies how online ordering applications connect to restaurant printing workflows, helping orders from platforms like DoorDash and Uber Eats print accurately and consistently at the point of execution. It supports iOS, Android, Windows, and web-based environments, making it well-suited for modern POS and mobile ordering workflows.

What is CloudPRNT Next?

CloudPRNT Next is a cloud-based printing platform that enables direct communication between online ordering services and Star Micronics printers. Orders are securely transmitted through the cloud and printed automatically, without the need for additional hardware or complex network configurations.

This streamlined approach makes it easier for restaurants to adopt and scale online food ordering while maintaining order accuracy and operational consistency.

Key Features and Benefits of CloudPRNT Next:
Direct Cloud-to-Printer Communication
Online food orders are sent directly from cloud-based ordering platforms to Star printers, reducing delays and eliminating unnecessary intermediary devices.

Improved Order Accuracy and Speed
By automating how online orders reach the kitchen, CloudPRNT Next helps reduce manual steps, miscommunication, and missed items, improving the customer experience.

Scalable Support for Growing Restaurants
CloudPRNT Next is designed to support multi-location restaurants and growing order volumes, making it easier to maintain consistent workflows as online demand increases.

Broad Device and Platform Compatibility
The platform works across common operating systems and devices, giving restaurants flexibility as they adopt new POS systems or digital ordering tools.

Simplified Setup and Reduced IT Complexity
CloudPRNT Next removes the need to manage IP addresses, local network configurations, or custom firewall rules, making installation and ongoing support easier for restaurant teams.
Why This Matters for Online Food Ordering

Reliable printing is a critical part of online food ordering. When digital orders are transmitted accurately and consistently to the kitchen, restaurants can fulfill orders faster, reduce errors, and deliver the convenience customers expect. CloudPRNT Next supports these outcomes by making printing a dependable part of the online ordering workflow rather than a point of failure.

Learn More About CloudPRNT Next

A Smarter Way to Support Online Food Ordering

Online food ordering is no longer a temporary shift or a passing trend. It has become a standard part of how customers interact with restaurants. The advantages of online food ordering, from convenience and flexibility to improved accuracy and control, continue to shape customer expectations across the dining experience.

Behind the scenes, reliable POS and printing technology plays a critical role in making online ordering work smoothly. When digital orders move accurately and consistently from the cloud to the kitchen, restaurants can fulfill orders faster, reduce errors, and deliver the experience customers expect.

As online food ordering continues to evolve, restaurants that invest in dependable, scalable systems are better positioned to meet demand, maintain accuracy, and build long-term customer loyalty. The goal is not simply to offer online ordering, but to support it with the right technology so it works reliably every time.

The Smart QSR Delivery Playbook: Labeling, Accuracy & Efficiency Done Right

Learn how leading QSRs are using smart labeling and scalable POS technology to reduce errors, cut costs, and deliver a better guest experience.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Online Food Ordering

What are the main advantages of online food ordering for customers?

Online food ordering gives customers greater convenience, faster service, improved order accuracy, and access to digital menus, deals, and flexible payment options.

Is online food ordering more accurate than ordering in person or by phone?

Yes. Online food ordering reduces miscommunication by allowing customers to review their order before submission, resulting in fewer mistakes and higher satisfaction.

Why do customers prefer online food ordering?

Customers prefer online food ordering because it saves time, offers transparency, supports customization, and allows ordering anytime from mobile devices or computers.

Does online food ordering improve the overall customer experience?

Yes. Online food ordering improves the customer experience by making ordering faster, easier, and more reliable, especially for pickup and delivery.

Which Star printer is right for your online ordering app?

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To browse all of our blog posts covering tips for small businesses, please visit our #StarForSmallBiz blog collection. Original article written by Heidi Orpilla and published June 18, 2020.
February 4, 2026
2.4GHz or 5GHz: Which Do I Need For My Small Business?

If you’re a small business owner, understanding the difference between traditional 2.4GHz wireless bandwidth and the newer 5GHz might save you time, money, and future headaches.

Many consumers assume the higher number must be better, so they choose to use that for their devices. However, neither bandwidth is actually “better” than the other. They’re simply different, with each having pros and cons. Whether you want to use 2.4GHz or 5GHz bandwidth all boils down to what you need.

First, let’s find out what the difference is between the two:

The Differences Between 2.4GHz & 5GHz WiFi

2.4GHz

When it comes to wireless internet, 2.4GHz has been the standard used in various devices, including WiFi routers, microwave ovens, cordless phones, Bluetooth devices, and wireless cameras. It allows devices to connect over a longer range and penetrates better through solid objects such as walls. It’s a perfectly high-functioning bandwidth but falters when it comes to how much data can be exchanged (uploaded or downloaded) within a particular length of time. Plus, it’s prone to disturbance and interference from other devices on the network because of overcrowding.

5GHz

As mentioned above, many devices use the 2.4GHz band. As the signal becomes overcrowded and causes a lot of interference, it slows down the network considerably. In this scenario, 5GHz appears to be the rescuer, having little to no interference. Many devices still don’t use it, so it’s less clogged. It relieves internet consumers from slow network speed and facilitates a higher data range. Its only drawback is that it doesn’t cover large areas or easily penetrate through solid objects.

Is 2.4GHz or 5GHz WiFi Best For My Business Environment?

After learning the pros and cons of both frequencies, the most frequent question consumers ask is which band is preferable. Both certainly have perks, but you must consider some critical factors as a small business owner.

Start with determining the size of your workplace. Although the coverage area is decent and the bandwidth is more robust, 5GHz won’t be able to cover an extensive area. With larger spaces, 2.4GHz may be best suited for you. If your workplace has multiple devices using 2.4GHz wireless, it may cause interference and slow down your connection. In that case, perhaps 5GHz would be better for you.

What devices are you using?

Also, consider the devices you are using. How many only need a 2.4GHz network? Bluetooth devices and microwave ovens will only be using 2.4GHz, so if your business uses many, you may need 5GHz for other devices, like smartphones. Microwave ovens are staples in professional kitchens, so if you own a restaurant or food delivery service, you may also want to look into 5GHz.

Remember that 2.4GHz uses long transmission waves that easily penetrate through solid walls and objects. It’s ideal for internet browsing, but 5GHz is the go-to for streaming or playing online games.

Whether in retail or the restaurant industry, your answer depends on your business needs. Choosing which wireless bandwidth to employ is all about what best suits the environment of your workplace. Some businesses may get by using only 2.4GHz bandwidth, while others may need the extra power of 5GHz to make it work. The key is having the correct information and knowing what you need.

mC-Print21W & mC-Print31W

With the mC-Print21W, the mC-Print31W, or the TSP143IVUW thermal receipt printers from Star, you get printing solutions that work on either bandwidth.

Whichever bandwidth you need, Star Micronics has your printing solution. The mC-Print21W, mC-Print31W, and TSP143IVUW all support dual-band (2.4GHz / 5GHz) WiFi. Networks that need long-distance coverage can use 2.4GHz. The more powerful 5GHz is best for reducing lag and interference, especially in busy kitchens with microwaves and hardware that compete for bandwidth on a 2.4Ghz network. By offering a choice to use one of the two frequencies, 2.4GHz or 5GHz, these Star printers provide maximum flexibility when connecting to any network.

TSP143IVUW

These thermal printers are also Cloud Ready, able to connect to any cloud application that supports Star’s CloudPRNT technology. With the addition of Star Micronics Cloud Services, including Digital Journal, cloud promotion print management, and device monitoring. They offer retailers and restaurateurs the next generation of POS printing, enabling marketing and receipt tools for the omnichannel world.

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May 25, 2022
Technology for the New World of Retail: Ultimate Checklist
The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the way people shop, forcing retailers to reevaluate their processes and their technology. While there are uncertainties, we know stores just aren’t going to reopen and go back to normal.What will retailers do differently? What will shoppers expect? What new technology do retailers need?

Across the country, consumers are choosing to shop with retailers that offer cleaner stores, shorter checkout lines, curbside pickup, “Buy Online, Pickup In Store” (BOPIS), touchless payments, and more. As consumers adapt, they will become accustomed to these new conveniences, and eventually expect it. Retailers that start using newer technology to adapt and offer all these options will succeed.

Whether they want to or not, retailers have to change – not to just get through the pandemic, but to be successful in the new world of retail. There have been important lessons learned from COVID-19 for retailers, all of which should be taken into consideration moving forward.

10 Retail Technology Solutions for Today’s New World

Whether you are an essential retailer, or reopening your brick-and-mortar, here are 10 technology solutions to help retail businesses reopen and adopt to the new world of retail:

1. Online Shopping

If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the past few months, having an online storefront is vital. If you have a physical store, offer BOPIS and add curbside pickup as a delivery option on your site. Consider selling on third-party sites such as Amazon, Walmart, eBay, and Facebook to expand your market reach and increase online sales.

2. Curbside Pickup

While many retailers offer curbside delivery, it’s not always easy to manage, especially with lots of orders and/or limited staff. Develop a well-thought-out process to manage your orders and use text messages/emails to communicate the status of each order with customers.

3. Mobile Point of Sale

With current restrictions, it’s important to keep traffic flowing. With a mobile POS solution, you can process payments anywhere in your store to keep lines as short as possible (line-busting), as well as outside your store for curbside pickup.

4. Touchless Payments

As more brick-and-mortar businesses reopen and consumers return to shopping in stores, touchless solutions become more and more important. Consider offering Smart Wallet payment processing solutions, such as Google Pay and Apple Pay. This allows customers to pay for their orders without having to reach into their wallet or touch your credit card device.

5. Sneeze Guards

All stores should have a shield for virus protection. Some sneeze guards are designed for specific point of sale monitors, so check with your technology provider before buying a custom solution. They should be easy to install and relocate in case your store setup changes.

6. Security Labels

If you offer home delivery or curbside pickup, you can secure packages with tamper-proof labels (or seals). These labels provide visual evidence if a package has been tampered with. Your customers will appreciate it!

7. Email Marketing Automation

With fewer customers visiting brick-and-mortar stores, retailers need a way of communicating with customers and getting promotions out. If you aren’t already, use an email marketing solution. If your system allows it, personalize and automate your campaigns/promotions to drive up clicks and sales.

8. Self-Service Kiosks

If your store gets busy, add a few kiosks so customers can shop your store’s live inventory without having to walking around. Add kiosks outside your store if shoppers have to wait in a line to enter your store.

9. Robots in Retail

Since the pandemic, more retailers are considering robots to reduce human-to-human interaction. They can restock shelves and assist with customer service; at one Best Buy store, a robotic cart was spotted supporting curbside delivery. And they sure look impressive!

10. Scan-and-Go

For retailers willing to experiment, scan-and-go looks like a promising technology for mainstream retail, especially in the post-Coronavirus world. Similar to Amazon Go, customers simply grab items off the shelf and walk out, eliminating checkout lines altogether.

Tips for Purchasing New Technology

Before purchasing new retail technology, prepare a list of all the hardware and software you own, and what you think you may need. Even if it’s just a short list, it will help you plan a budget and compare solutions. When making your list, consider all mobile point of sale devices, credit card devices, receipt printers, cash drawers, scanners, servers, internet service, retail software, eCommerce technology, and more.

5 ways to save on new technology purchases:

Tax deductions: Save all receipts and ask your staff to save receipts too. Technology purchases for your business can be deducted on taxes.

Trade-ins: Before disposing of your unneeded hardware (which can cost money), ask your technology provider if they accept trade-ins, or sell/donate it to a store that needs it.

Financial assistance: Research grants and financial assistance offered by organizations to retail businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Volume discounts: While you shouldn’t base new technology purchasing decisions solely on price, ask your technology provider if they offer volume discounts and/or have any current promotions.

Defer payments: Many technology providers are currently assisting retailers and helping them adopt new technology solutions by offering either deferred payments or even buy now, pay later models. For example, at Celerant, we are currently offering your first 3 months free for any new SaaS product to help retailers get started with new technology now, while not having to pay until later.

Are you Ready for New Retail Technology?
Celerant Technology is the #1 provider of innovative retail software.

To help retailers during this challenging time, Celerant is offering up to 3 months free on new SaaS retail software contracts; from now through June 30th.

For more information, click here

At Star Micronics, our hearts go out to anyone impacted by COVID-19, either directly or indirectly, especially to those who are sick, to whom we extend our heartfelt wishes for a full recovery. To learn more about what we are doing as an organization to reduce the global impact of COVID-19, in terms of health and business, please click here.

To browse all of our blog posts covering tips for small businesses during COVID-19, please visit our #StarForSmallBiz blog collection.
June 24, 2020
Restaurant Disaster Relief: Survive and Recover

When disaster strikes, how will your restaurant handle it?

In a world rife with natural disasters, recessions, and pandemics, restaurant owners must be flexible and agile enough to withstand uncertainty, while still having a plan in place to survive and recover whenever these events strike.

In these instances, it’s no longer about understanding customer desires and capitalizing on trends. It’s now about taking care of needs and ensuring the safety of your customers and your business.

In order to survive such dramatic shifts in customer demands, you need to combine agility and creativity.

Click here to download our free restaurant relief guide.

Evaluate Cost Centers and Cut Where Possible

Making cuts to any area of business can be difficult. Sometimes, however, it is inevitable. In order to protect your business, weather the storm, and be able to come out of a disaster ready to operate at full force, you must be able to make sacrifices somewhere. Review your labor and inventory data very carefully to understand where you can afford to make cuts and where you can’t.

Labor

In the event of recessions or pandemics, when fewer people are going out to eat, you’ll need to evaluate which positions are mission-critical.

Front-of-house staff

If customers aren’t able to enjoy a meal on your premises, it won’t be cost-effective to keep FOH staff at full force. Perhaps schedule employees for fewer days or shorter shifts. In extreme circumstances, furloughs may be necessary, though it is wise to refrain from letting employees go completely. Once the disaster is over, you may need them in order to operate effectively and you don’t want to burn those bridges.

If you have the right restaurant technology like a POS system, you can use the data and management tools it provides to help optimize labor and streamline tasks so you can reduce labor costs without cutting too many hours.

Inventory

It’s important to take inventory of everything to see what you have on-hand. Try to adjust your menu offerings to include meals or ingredients you have on hand and stretch your current inventory as far as possible to prevent waste and spoilage. You may need to create new specials and promotions to entice customers to order items that need to be moved quickly.

Invest in an inventory management system before old, wasteful habits come back. Now is the perfect time to assess your old processes and identify any sources of waste within your inventory so you can better optimize it. An inventory management system can help you increase inventory accuracy, reduce waste, cut costs, and improve the overall quality of your inventory management.

Now is also a good time to reach out to your vendors to see if they have been affected. You will want to know whether orders will need to be delayed or canceled under these circumstances.

Reconsider Your Go-to-Market Strategies

Your customers are likely spending a lot of their time online. That’s where you should be directing your marketing. With social media, post early and post often. The more you post, the wider the audience you will reach. Consider social media advertising, which can put your brand in front of new audiences instantly. Find local community groups on social platforms and join them to help get the word out about your business. It is important to both communicate and listen to customers on these platforms. When faced with disaster, it’s important to recognize that your customers’ needs evolve very quickly. For this reason, you must adjust your message to accommodate, and ensure that you are delivering that message through the most effective channels. Every restaurant should know their customers, and should be reaching out and communicating with them through a variety of methods.

It is beneficial for restaurants to have a loyalty program through which they can communicate with customers. These are easy to implement with the right technology, and can provide valuable customer data that you can use to engage customers. With Star Micronics PromoPRNT, promotion printing technology, restaurants can reward their loyal customers by printing coupons or promotions to be attached to their take-out or delivery orders that can be used for their next order.

Email marketing is also an effective way to boost your marketing efforts. If you are offering any new promotions that can address customer needs or save on packaging costs like family-style orders, leverage drip campaigns to your customer database. Implement a monthly newsletter or some other form of communication campaign to engage your loyal customers and keep your business top of mind. You can also do this to get the word out about online ordering, adjusted menu items, or changes in your hours of operation.

Focus on Existing Revenue Centers: Online Ordering, Pickup, and Delivery

Continuing to operate in some form or another could be your saving grace. You may be able to run your operation as a ghost kitchen, allowing customers to place orders through your website, mobile app, phone, or third-party service.

Every restaurant needs to exist online. Online and mobile ordering has become a necessity. Utilize your website as a tool to communicate with and engage your customers. Many sites are static and do not encourage customers to continue coming back. Dynamic websites allow chefs and owners to make changes and update menus daily or weekly, keeping customers engaged with new recipes, offers, and specials.

With solutions like Star Micronics CloudPRNT, you can get online ordering capabilities set up quickly and efficiently if you don’t already have them. This frees you up to redirect more of your efforts on pickup, to-go, and delivery. Reallocate some of your front-of-house staff to courier and delivery operations. For pickup, you can offer in-store, drive through, or curbside depending on your needs and capabilities.

Integrating online payments into your website can facilitate contactless pickup or delivery in the event of a viral pandemic. For contactless payments curbside, mobile receipt printers can be used to print receipts while tablets can be used to carry out transactions. You can also set up tools that text or call customers when orders are ready so they can run in and out to pick up orders without the need for face-to-face transactions.

Adapt to Overcome

When faced with disaster and uncertainty, you must do what you can to remain in business. That requires you to develop the agility and flexibility to adapt to new circumstances that arise and overcome the challenges that you face.

With any disaster, prepare for consumer preferences and expectations to change. It’s important that you align your technology to help you evolve alongside these changes. Star Micronics offers easy, intuitive solutions like CloudPRNT to help you incorporate online ordering quickly into your operations. For more information on how you can adapt to meet current events, contact the experts at Star Micronics today.

Our free Disaster Recovery Checklist has all the information you need, at a glance.

Download Full eBook with Checklist

At Star Micronics, our hearts go out to anyone impacted by COVID-19, either directly or indirectly, especially to those who are sick, to whom we extend our heartfelt wishes for a full recovery. To learn more about what we are doing as an organization to reduce the global impact of COVID-19, in terms of health and business, please click here.

To browse all of our blog posts covering tips for small businesses during COVID-19, please visit our #StarForSmallBiz blog collection.

Reopening Toolbox

Now more than ever, safety and convenience are priorities in retail and hospitality environments. As businesses reopen their doors, Star is proud to offer a line of solutions and resources designed to keep consumers and employees safe and satisfied.

Visit Toolbox

June 4, 2020
Why Resellers Should Offer Kiosk Service and Support
COVID-19 has quickly become one of the biggest challenges our modern world has faced. The pandemic has rocked the global community, and we as a society are adapting by redefining how we interact. Our daily habits which have been built over decades are changing to ensure the public’s safety, and as a reseller now is the time to consider how you can help your customers move forward safely and efficiently.

One of the most important factors in successfully navigating this new normal is learning about what tools are available to overcome the challenges presented by COVID-19, and one of these tools is the self-service kiosk. Because the kiosk industry is becoming more refined and relevant on a daily basis, it is becoming more important than ever for resellers to offer a full range of kiosk services, including everything from installation services to post-sale support.

In this blog post, we will explore why resellers should offer kiosk services and support, especially during such a critical time for businesses.

Why Should Resellers Offer Kiosk Service and Support?

Simply put, offering kiosk services is critical because the self-service industry is expected to boom as the world defines its new way of doing business and living life.

Self-service solutions were already on the rise, but now that contactless interaction is preferred and social distancing is ingrained in daily life, self-service is expected to flood our space. It is important to note that self-service is slated to grow in some verticals where it was never considered before.

Many technologies that previously only existed as concepts are now becoming valuable and accepted as building blocks for our new normal. Some of these technologies include:

Biometric Access Control: Access control solution providers are considering replacing fingerprint readers with contactless technologies like vein pattern biometric authentication. In addition to being less intrusive in nature, some of these solutions may also even be more accurate than their predecessors.

Contactless Interaction: Touch-free is here to stay, and fully voice-activated kiosks which allow users to interact in a safe, contactless manner and incorporate new AI technologies will likely increase in popularity.

Health Screening and Disinfection: With the pandemic comes a new set of public health priorities, and self-service solutions can help. Full-body thermal scanners can be used to prevent people with a fever from accessing populated spaces, and antibacterial gel dispensers can be integrated with existing kiosks to provide disinfection in use cases where, for now, contactless interaction is not an option.

Digital Signage Communication: In many regions, businesses are required to comply with new occupancy regulations, and automated digital signage kiosks can be used to communicate an establishment’s capacity.

As these technologies evolve and thrive, it is important to offer kiosk hardware that enables quick and easy installation and maintenance. For example, a kiosk printer that includes remote status monitoring and the ability to troubleshoot various aspects of its operation from a centralized location will bring value to virtually any business.

How to Offer the Right Kiosk Service and Support

It’s likely that these new self-service solutions will become the norm, and it’s important to consider that your service and support offerings may also need to change. A surefire way to do this is to not only offer cutting-edge technology but to confirm you partner with self-service manufacturers that prioritize innovation and are dedicated to continuously improving the technologies they offer.

One example of what this might look like is Star Micronics’ StarPRNT SDK which offers peace of mind to ISVs and end-users alike through the following features:

Future-proof development tools

Compatibility with all operating systems and platforms

Remote monitoring of kiosk printer paper status (low or no paper)

The ability to detect if the kiosk printer is offline or is experiencing operating issues

And more

In the self-service industry, many things are changing and will continue to change for some time. Kiosk integrators and manufacturers need to rely more than ever on fully customizable and easy-to-integrate components like world-class SDKs, platform-agnostic integration technologies, and best-in-class hardware for mission critical processes. Service and support for each of these factors is a key part of a sustainable solution and should be considered from day 1 when planning a go-to market strategy.

How Star Micronics is Innovating During COVID-19 and Beyond

As time passes and kiosk solutions become the new normal across the globe, Star Micronics is dedicated to continuously innovating to help businesses seamlessly navigate these changes. We will continue to integrate printing components with advanced tools like our universal SDK, as well as cloud-based and browser-enabled printing technologies, allowing the next generation of solutions to emerge.

As a reseller, consider consulting with experienced integrators and manufacturers like Star Micronics during every stage of your kiosk service and support project to guarantee you deliver solutions that help your customers seamlessly stay current with today’s new standards.

Meet the Star Micronics Kiosk Printer Family

Explore Star’s Kiosk Printer Lineup

At Star Micronics, our hearts go out to anyone impacted by COVID-19, either directly or indirectly, especially to those who are sick, to whom we extend our heartfelt wishes for a full recovery. To learn more about what we are doing as an organization to reduce the global impact of COVID-19, in terms of health and business, please click here.

To browse all of our blog posts covering tips for small businesses during COVID-19, please visit our #StarForSmallBiz blog collection.

Free Resources During COVID-19 & Beyond

Now more than ever, safety is a priority in retail and hospitality environments. Star Micronics is proud to offer a line of solutions and resources for businesses during this challenging time, designed to keep consumers and employees safe, as well as mitigate business impact caused by COVID-19.

Visit Our Health & Safety Toolbox
May 28, 2020
Street-Smart Tips to Quickly and Affordably Set Up Online Ordering for Pickup
While digital transformation in the hospitality industry is nothing new, with the recent COVID-19 outbreak many of today’s businesses are finding themselves in search of a way to implement online ordering for pickup – quickly and affordably.

In today’s blog post, we will explore some key considerations for merchants looking for online ordering and pickup solutions, as well as the best ways to get the word out once you are open for (digital) business.

Can I Still Keep the Point of Sale I Already Paid For?

Most businesses have already invested in a point of sale (POS) system – which includes both software and hardware expenses – and they may not have the means or motivation to switch systems. But there is good news: they may not have to!

Some POS systems offer or have recently added extensions to their software that include online ordering for pickup. Like any business decision, there are some benefits and considerations to these extensions:

Benefits:

Some POS systems offer online ordering for pickup services for no additional fee.

If a fee applies, some POS providers are waiving these fees for a few months as an incentive for businesses during this challenging time.

Considerations:

Some providers may charge extra fees for these online ordering for pickup services.

In many cases, even with a waived fee, the fee may return in the future.

To decide the best option for your business, contact your current POS company to learn more about the options they are providing and determine if one of those is right for you.

Should I Add a Second System Only for Online Ordering?

If you are looking to implement online ordering for pickup, a second way to do so is to find a new, independent platform that you can use to separately take online orders. A second, temporary solution may be adequate for now, since being open for business is likely your main objective. Here are some benefits and considerations to keep in mind if you choose this strategy:

Benefit: Choosing a second system for online ordering will give you the ability to be open for digital business quickly and effectively.

Consideration: This option may not be tied directly into to your current POS, meaning limited opportunity for streamlined deposits, sales reporting, and inventory tracking.

Should I Choose Independent Delivery Services?

Independent delivery services are vastly popular, and there are several services available to choose from, if you wish. A major benefit of choosing an independent delivery service is that because of such a large user base, they encourage more (and new) customers to place orders with your restaurant. While some restaurants may thrive from these services, there are also some considerations to keep in mind.

Benefits:

Your customers will enjoy “to-your-door” delivery.

Your restaurant will receive increased visibility on associated online business listings.

You will also receive access to a pool of common customers for crossover visibility.

Considerations:

Restaurants often do not retain customer data, the marketplaces do.

Independent delivery services may include an extra fee to the customer and/or restaurant.

Online? Get the Word Out!

Once you have your online ordering for pickup system in place, it’s critical to make sure that the public knows you are available for this convenient method of business. Here are some tips to spread the news:

Add a link to your online menu on your website and consider putting the link prominently at the top of your website’s homepage.

Update your phone’s greeting message to provide online ordering (this will save you lots of time).

Regularly post your business hours and a link to your online menu to your social media accounts.

Find local websites that are promoting restaurants and retail stores that are open for business and be sure you are listed on them.

Place your online ordering link on your Google Profile listing.

Be Smart, Keep It Simple, and Get It Done

Simplicity is key. In many cases, it may be better to start with a pared-down menu and add more offerings over time. Getting up and running quickly with a simple menu is better than spending a lot of time creating a full online menu; by opening for business in a timely manner, you will reduce the risk of missing out on sales and visibility during this critical time.

Consider Your Options

Now that you have learned about your options for getting your restaurant online and ready for pickup orders, now it’s time to consider how to get started.

When choosing an online ordering for pickup service provider, here are some key features to look out for that can take your solution above and beyond:

A business model that requires no startup expenses and is permanently free of fees

Contactless QR code ordering, with no need to touch menus or credit cards

Customer contact collection for easy re-marketing

Minimal hardware required (for example, a simple iPad and receipt printer setup)

The ability to send order confirmation and pickup notification text messages to customers

Easy, one-click reordering for customers, with no login needed

A full POS solution provider, offering KDS, receipt and kitchen printers, and cash drawers

Addmi’s point of sale system can provide all of the above – and more! With its free online ordering services and simple, easy, and fast solution, Addmi helps restaurants start selling in minutes.

Star and Online Ordering

Star is proud to partner with the industry’s leading online ordering and restaurant POS solution providers. From kitchen printers to cash drawers, our front-of-house and back-of-house offerings include:

POS solutions

Online ordering

Tableside payments

Reservation management

Pay-by-weight

Back of house technologies

Cash management

And more!

Learn more about Star’s restaurant and kitchen POS solutions.

Free Resources During COVID-19 & Beyond

Now more than ever, safety is a priority in retail and hospitality environments. Star Micronics is proud to offer a line of solutions and resources for businesses during this challenging time, designed to keep consumers and employees safe, as well as mitigate business impact caused by COVID-19.

Visit Our Health & Safety Toolbox

At Star Micronics, our hearts go out to anyone impacted by COVID-19, either directly or indirectly, especially to those who are sick, to whom we extend our heartfelt wishes for a full recovery. To learn more about what we are doing as an organization to reduce the global impact of COVID-19, in terms of health and business, please click here.

To browse all of our blog posts covering tips for small businesses during COVID-19, please visit our #StarForSmallBiz blog collection.

Is Your Restaurant Ready for the Growing Online Ordering Trend?

Find out here
May 5, 2020
The Best Way to Clean Star Micronics Printers
Across the globe, cleaning policies have been released to combat the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). These cleaning policies apply to every inch of a business or office – from tabletops to, of course, the point of sale (POS). There has never been a more important time to pay attention to the proper way to clean your POS station, and that includes the receipt printer. In today’s blog, explore some common cleaning and social distancing policies, as well as the proper way to clean Star Micronics printers.

The Best Way to Clean Star Micronics Printers: Download the free guide.

Cleaning and Social Distancing Policies During COVID-19

Cleaning and social distancing policies vary by region, but a common thread among policies is the need for frequent sanitization of common areas and maintaining a healthy distance in between individuals.

For an example of some policies that are in place, see below protocols that are active in New Jersey*, where the Star Micronics America headquarters is located, for businesses deemed essential. Please consult your local government to learn about the policies that apply to your region.

Requirements for All Businesses Continuing to Operate

Owners of buildings used for commercial, industrial, or other enterprises, and of residential buildings with at least 50 units, must implement the following policies at minimum:

Clean and disinfect high-touch areas routinely in accordance with CDC guidelines, particularly in spaces accessible to staff, customers, tenants, or other individuals, particularly following a known or potential exposure;

Maintain current cleaning procedures in all other areas of the facility;

Ensure that the facility has a sufficient number of workers to perform the above protocols effectively.

Additional Requirements for Restaurants, Cafeterias, Food Courts, Bars, etc. That are Still Permitted to Operate

Limit occupancy to 10% of stated maximum capacity;

Ensure 6 feet of distance between workers and customers except at the moment of payment or exchange of goods;

Arrange for contactless pay options, pickup, or delivery wherever possible;

Provide hand sanitizer and wipes to staff and customers;

Frequently sanitize high-touch areas like credit card machines, keypads, and counters;

Require infection control practices such as regular hand washing, coughing and sneezing etiquette, and proper tissue usage;

Place conspicuous signage at entrances and throughout the food business alerting staff and customers to the required 6 feet of distance;

Require workers and customers to wear cloth face coverings, and require workers to wear gloves. A business must provide, at its own expense, these face coverings and gloves for employees. Customers may be exempted if it would inhibit their health, or if under two years of age. If a customer refuses, they must be denied entry, but another method of pickup should be provided.

Additional Requirements for Essential Retail

Limit occupancy to 50% of maximum store capacity at one time;

Establish hours of operation specifically for the exclusive use of high-risk individuals;

Install a physical barrier, such as a shield guard, between customers and cashiers/baggers where possible and anywhere you cannot maintain 6 feet of distance;

Require regular hand washing, coughing and sneezing etiquette, and proper tissue usage and disposal;

Provide employees break time for regular hand washing;

Arrange for contactless pay options, pickup, or delivery of goods wherever possible;

Provide hand sanitizer and wipes to staff and customers;

Frequently sanitize high-touch areas like restrooms, credit card machines, keypads, counters and shopping carts;

Require infection control practices such as regular hand washing, coughing and sneezing etiquette, and proper tissue usage;

Place conspicuous signage at entrances and throughout the store alerting staff and customers to the required 6 feet of distance;

Demarcate 6 feet of spacing in check-out lines to demonstrate appropriate social distancing;

Require workers and customers to wear cloth face coverings, and require workers to wear gloves. A business must provide, at its own expense, these face coverings and gloves for employees. Customers may be exempted if it would inhibit their health, or if under two years of age. If a customer refuses, they must be denied entry, unless the business is providing medication, medical supplies, or food, in which case another method of pickup should be provided.

How to Clean Star Micronics Printers

Clean and safeguard your Star POS printer – quickly, easily, and effectively. Here are some basic tips on cleaning your Star printer:

Clean with 70% isopropyl alcohol

Clean the exterior and print head only

Spray solution into a microfiber or cloth towel first and then wipe

Do not soak/submerge equipment or spray directly into product

For additional security, it’s recommended to always have the device powered down when cleaning

Correctly cleaning the printer should not affect its performance or life

If you have any questions about cleaning your Star printer, please contact us

Click here to download the complete cleaning guide.

Free Resources During COVID-19 & Beyond

Now more than ever, safety is a priority in retail and hospitality environments. Star Micronics is proud to offer a line of solutions and resources for businesses during this challenging time, designed to keep consumers and employees safe, as well as mitigate business impact caused by COVID-19.

Visit Our Health & Safety Toolbox

At Star Micronics, our hearts go out to anyone impacted by COVID-19, either directly or indirectly, especially to those who are sick, to whom we extend our heartfelt wishes for a full recovery. To learn more about what we are doing as an organization to reduce the global impact of COVID-19, in terms of health and business, please click here.

To browse all of our blog posts covering tips for small businesses during COVID-19, please visit our #StarForSmallBiz blog collection.

^*Source:^{https://faq.business.nj.gov/en/articles/3839687-what-mitigation-protocols-are-required-for-businesses-continuing-to-operate}

Discover the Best Way to Clean Star Printers

Download Cleaning Guide
April 28, 2020
Contactless Payments: A Safer, More Efficient Payment Alternative
Social distancing and minimizing human contact are topics that are on everyone’s mind these days, and for good reason. Consumers and businesses alike are leveraging strategies to limit any possible exposure to outside germs – and one of those strategies is contactless payments.

Contactless payments – or processing transactions via the tap of a credit/debit card, smartphone, or smart watch – are undoubtedly an effective way to keep business flowing while keeping your employees and your customers safe. But an added bonus is that contactless payments are growing in popularity around the world and are sure to serve you well into the future. Read on to learn more about contactless payments, how to get started accepting these modern transactions, and additional tips on how to keep safe during this challenging time.

What are Contactless Payments?

Contactless payments can take many forms. According to Investopedia,

“Contactless payment is a secure method for consumers to purchase products or services using a debit, credit, or smartcard—also known as a chip card—by using RFID technology or near-field communication (NFC).

To make a contactless payment, tap your card near a point-of-sale terminal that is equipped with the contactless payment technology. Since contactless payments do not require a signature or a personal identification number (PIN), transaction sizes on cards are limited. The allowable amount for a contactless transaction varies by country and by the bank.

Contactless payment is also referred to as tap-and-go by some banks and retailers. Examples of non-credit or debit card contactless payments include transit cards, Apple Pay, Android Pay, and Google Wallet.”

While these payments may seem like a recent trend, the technology has been in existence since the 1990s – however, at that time, only a small number of merchants used this payment method.

Benefits of Contactless Payments

Hygienic: Contactless payments are a cleaner alternative to paying with cash or using a pin pad on a credit/debit card terminal. Simply put, there’s less opportunity for contamination.

Fast: A major benefit of contactless payments is how speedy they are because no PIN is required, and your employees don’t need to manage cash transactions. By speeding up transactions, you can successfully line-bust and keep your customers happy.

Improved customer experience: Like we just mentioned, contactless payments create a streamlined, easy, and quick experience – something consumers are sure to love.

Secure: While some people are under the impression that contactless payments are not as secure as a chip card transaction, contactless payments provide the same EMV security provided by chip cards.

How Popular are Contactless Payments?

According to a 2018 report, in the US 26% of all consumer transactions (that’s 50 billion purchases!) are made with cash, but contactless payments are building in popularity around the world and the US is bound to follow the global trend. For example, contactless payments account for approximately 20% of all transactions in Australia, Canada, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.

It seems the US is already on that path – TD Bank has seen a surge in contactless transactions following the coronavirus outbreak, and it’s likely that consumers will continue paying for their purchases in this quick and easy way well after the pandemic has ended.

Star Micronics has the POS hardware you need to enable modern payments including contactless, pay-at-the-table, and more.

How to Implement Contactless Payments

Are you ready to get started with contactless payments, if you haven’t already? Here’s what you need to know.

Most banks offer contactless credit and debit cards, as well as the terminals that are required for, and equipped for, processing contactless transactions. These terminals have a contactless payment symbol to show customers that contactless payment methods are accepted, but you may also communicate to your customers that you accept these payments in person, through social media or email, by placing a sign at the point of sale, or via receipt marketing.

Some retailers set a low limit for contactless systems to prevent fraud, but some do still allow large transactions, with a required signature.

When it’s time to pay, customers hold their card, smartphone, or smart watch 1” to 2” from the contactless symbol on the terminal. When the payment has been accepted, the terminal will alert the customer with a beep, green light, or checkmark.

Free Resources During COVID-19 & Beyond

Now more than ever, safety is a priority in retail and hospitality environments. Star Micronics is proud to offer a line of solutions and resources for businesses during this challenging time, designed to keep consumers and employees safe, as well as mitigate business impact caused by COVID-19.

Visit Our Health & Safety Toolbox

More Ways to Stay Safe

Clean your POS: Consult your various hardware manufacturers regarding safe cleaning protocols.

Leverage online ordering: As dine-in service and brick-and-mortar options have essentially come to a standstill, it’s a great time to leverage online ordering if you haven’t already. Click here to discover tips on how to do just that. Have you been wondering if you’re ready for online ordering? Don’t worry, we have the answer.

Offer curbside pickup: Take your exposure limitation even further by offering curbside pickup. Click here to discover how your restaurant can implement curbside pickup.

Communicate with your customers: Last – but certainly not least – always communicate with your customers. Even though consumers are following quarantine and social distancing policies, they still desire to be in the loop with what you’re doing as a business, so be sure to keep them in-the-know with any relevant specials or safety procedures.

At Star Micronics, our hearts go out to anyone impacted by COVID-19, either directly or indirectly, especially to those who are sick, to whom we extend our heartfelt wishes for a full recovery. To learn more about what we are doing as an organization to reduce the global impact of COVID-19, in terms of health and business, please click here.

To browse all of our blog posts covering tips for small businesses during COVID-19, please visit our #StarForSmallBiz blog collection.

What can Worldnet’s Omnichannel Integrated Payments do for you?

Worldnet is proud to offer a simple omnichannel integration that brings your eCommerce, Back Office and Cardholder Present payment solutions together, and presents all that data directly into your software solution, ERP, or CRM system.

Download eBook
April 23, 2020
Retail During COVID-19: How to Safely Succeed
We are all very aware of the impact COVID-19 (coronavirus) is having globally and on countless business and personal levels. With retailers forced to close (physical) shop, what’s the best plan of action to succeed while maintaining public safety?

In this blog post, we will discuss how the COVID-19 situation is multi-phase, and which steps you can take during each stage to ensure business survival – while keeping everyone involved safe and healthy. Star is proud to partner with Vend, a cloud-based point of sale and retail management software provider that enables small businesses to do business in-store, online, and via mobile devices. As a thought leader in the retail space, Vend has created a multi-phase action plan for retailers, which you can find below:

As you can see, this plan includes what business impact to expect during each stage of the COVID-19 crisis, as well as preparation tips for the stage you are in to ensure the best possible outcome for your business.

While phase 1 (being cautiously open for business) and phase 2 (preparing for social distancing) have passed, today’s blog post will focus on how retailers can safely succeed during the peak of COVID-19, and best practices for opening shop back up when the crisis has passed. Read on to get ideas for your own action plan.

What Retailers Can Do During the Peak of COVID-19

The peak of COVID-19 is undoubtedly nerve-racking, both personally and professionally. However, it’s important to try to stay positive and keep your eyes on the future. There are several things you can do to better your business right now, and to prepare for when it’s time to open your brick-and-mortar location back up.

Optimize Your Online Store: Right now, your store ideally is fully online. It’s a good time to take a deep look at your e-commerce strategy and make any necessary tweaks to your website. Click here to learn some online selling tips.

Thoughtful Promotions: The key to navigating the current situation is being thoughtful and tasteful. You can still promote items from your store but be sure to do so in a compassionate way that shows your awareness to the current crisis. One idea is to promote gift cards to excite your customers for when they can safely return to the store and give them something to look forward to during what can be bleak times. Another idea is to hold an online flash sale containing items that could give your customers some joy at home.

Always be Communicating: During the peak of the pandemic, be sure to maintain a strong digital presence, not just through your website and online store but through social media and email marketing, too. Your customers cannot visit your store in-person, but appropriate regular communication can provide some relief and distraction during a hard time for many people. This is also a good way to keep customers updated on your current business situation and let them know what you’re doing to not only survive this crisis, but perhaps give back to the community as well.

Housekeeping: There’s no better time for housekeeping and catching up on all those ideas you’ve had for months (or years) than when your doors are closed. Keep busy by taking care of your stocktaking, merchandising, and sanitizing. If you have been considering upgrading your POS, now is the time to do your research and choose a system that has all the features your business needs – now and in the future.One upgrade to consider is switching to the Star mC-Print3 thermal receipt printer, which is not only sleek in design but features brick-and-mortar, e-commerce, and promotional capabilities. The mC-Print3 can print custom on-receipt promotions, and includes Bluetooth, USB, Lightning, LAN, and CloudPRNT online ordering connectivity. Built for modern tablet POS solutions, the mC-Print3 also features SteadyLAN® technology, which provides wired Ethernet service and power to iOS, Android, and Windows devices, eliminating the worry of unstable Wi-Fi connections. The best part? The mC-Print3 works with the industry’s leading retail POS software providers, including Vend, who is offering a limited-time deal to retailers including two free months of software, as well as three free months of e-commerce and advanced loyalty program tools. Click here to learn more.

Free Resources During COVID-19 & Beyond

Now more than ever, safety is a priority in retail and hospitality environments. Star Micronics is proud to offer a line of solutions and resources for businesses during this challenging time, designed to keep consumers and employees safe, as well as mitigate business impact caused by COVID-19.

Visit Our Health & Safety Toolbox

How to Prepare to Open Back Up for Business

While it’s an unquestionably difficult time for retail during COVID-19, it will pass. Preparing for opening your physical store back up can provide you with some optimism and positivity, as well an action plan for future success. Some preparation ideas for opening back up include:

Have Your In-Store Tools Ready to Go: If you did any upgrading while your brick-and-mortar store was closed, be sure those new solutions are set up, ready to go, and have been thoroughly tested. Contact your POS software and/or hardware technical support teams if you have any issues during testing, so that you can get the kinks worked out ahead of time and hit the ground running when you reopen your doors.

Maintain New Practices: You’ve likely adopted lots of good hygiene, e-commerce, marketing, and staff training habits during COVID-19. When your store reopens and life gets busier, don’t let those great habits fall to the wayside.

Announce Your Reopening Far and Wide: It’s the moment every retailer is looking forward to: announcing to your customers that you are reopening! On top of communicating to your customers via website, social media, and email that you are opening back up for business, consider having a “welcome back” sale. And most importantly, remember to thank your valuable customers for standing by you during the difficult time.

More Tools from Vend

Coronavirus Resources Archive: A library of content regarding retail during COVID-19 that Vend has created specifically for businesses like you during this time.

Daily Retail Traffic Impact of COVID-19: This report shows the effects of COVID-19 on retail, market-by-market and day-by-day.

We hope that these tips help you navigate the ongoing situation regarding retail during COVID-19. While there is undoubtedly an element of uncertainty to the crisis, it can and will pass, and we are proud to support you during this time.

At Star Micronics, our hearts go out to anyone impacted by COVID-19, either directly or indirectly, especially to those who are sick, to whom we extend our heartfelt wishes for a full recovery. To learn more about what we are doing as an organization to reduce the global impact of COVID-19, in terms of health and business, please click here.

To browse all of our blog posts covering tips for small businesses during COVID-19, please visit our #StarForSmallBiz blog collection.

Looking for Some Retail Inspiration? Browse Star’s Retail POS Solutions Brochure

Download POS Brochure
April 10, 2020
How Your Restaurant Can Implement Curbside Pickup During the COVID-19 Crisis
While many businesses are struggling to keep their doors open due to the current COVID-19 situation, it’s possible that restaurants have a much better chance to sustain their revenue and reduce operating costs. Why? Because people everywhere still have the need to eat and would love to continue to order from their favorite restaurants if they are provided with a safe opportunity to do so. To meet this need, restaurateurs can introduce methods of takeout with minimal human interaction for their customers, such as curbside pickup.

So how exactly can you do this? The first step is to choose an online ordering provider that provides a website and mobile-responsive app which allows you to quickly roll out curbside pickup services. What exactly does that mean? Customers will be able to order their favorite meal remotely through a mobile-responsive website or app, pay online through a secure payment processor, and select a delivery method (to-go, delivery, or curbside pickup). When the curbside pickup option is selected, the customer can drive to the restaurant’s parking spot and have the restaurant’s staff deliver their meal to their vehicle.

Sounds nifty doesn’t it? By offering curbside pickup, you offer many benefits to your customers. Here are three main reasons your customers will love curbside pickup:

1. No Human Interaction During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Many governors have warned the public about how human interaction is a key reason why the COVID-19 virus spreads. Therefore, customers will likely avoid walking into your restaurant and ordering over the counter. Instead, consider providing them the convenient, appealing option of mobile ordering and curbside pickup. Put yourself in the shoes of the customer for a second: Wouldn’t you like the option to drive up to a restaurant and not even have to get out of the car while the food is being prepared, and then have the meal delivered right to you? Of course, you would!

2. Simple Pickup and Drive-Off

Not only will your customers find it convenient to have a curbside pickup option during times of crisis, but they will enjoy it long-term, as well. Think about it – who wouldn’t love the convenience of only having to drive and park near your restaurant to receive food and not have to do anything else?

3. Guaranteed Line-Buster

Long lines are something that burden the minds of customers and employees alike. For customers, a long waiting time can be frustrating and for employees, long lines mean extra stress and pressure to place every order correctly in a timely fashion. With online ordering and curbside pickup however, you can stop worrying about having long lines because customers will likely naturally prefer a convenient method of ordering as opposed to standing in line for a long period of time.

Curbside Pickup Tips

A few tips you can remember when rolling out curbside pickup are:

Ensure that your customers have a convenient location to park in while waiting for their order which is also easy for your staff to find.

Enable online payments to make the entire process convenient for your customers.

Use appropriate packaging for your food to ensure hot items stay hot, cold items stay cold, and liquids don’t spill about anywhere. Also, make sure the packaging is covered properly with no air contamination.

Ensure that pickup happens with as little human interaction as possible. One idea to consider is delivering the items to the backseat so that there is minimal interaction.

Features to Look for in an Online Ordering and Curbside Solution

Custom-Branded Mobile App: A mobile app can be a great marketing tool for your restaurant in addition to being a golden ticket in terms of convenient remote ordering for your customers. With the presence of your mobile application in Google Play and the Apple App Store, more customers will become aware of your restaurant and be tempted to try it. Couple that with other benefits such as being able to offer exclusive promotions to customers, send push notifications featuring special deals, and advertise your entire menu online, and a custom-branded mobile app is clearly a smart business decision.

Fully Functional and Seamless Ordering Website: A website serves as a great tool for your customers to order their favorite food from any location, and it can also help to increase customer engagement and publicity. You can also add special offers to your online ordering website, including the latest deals, discount codes, and other rewards. A smooth and convenient ordering option will certainly be something that both you and your customers love and benefit from.

Easy and Secure Payment Options: Security is priority when it comes to online ordering. Ensure you choose an online ordering and curbside pickup solution that allows your customers to make their payments in a convenient way, but also through a safe and secure gateway.

Applova’s curbside pickup solutions can help you do all the above – and more. Click here to discover how Applova can help your restaurant stay afloat during these challenging times, while also eliminating wait times, boosting loyalty and customer engagement, and more.

Curbside Pickup to Sustain Business During COVID-19

With the slowdown in business due to the outbreak, online ordering solutions provide a great way to sustain your restaurant by providing your customers with the smoothest, safest, and most efficient remote ordering solutions. By providing your customers with the option of obtaining their meals through curbside pickup by ordering via your restaurants’ mobile app or website, you can greatly reduce or remove the need for your customer to spend time physically at your restaurant. It’s truly a win-win for both your business and the customer (and the public at large).

The COVID-19 outbreak has adversely affected many businesses worldwide, and it’s extremely important that we all play a part in minimizing the impact caused by this virus by using the best measures to offset the reduction in revenue and protect the public’s safety

Free Resources During COVID-19 & Beyond

Now more than ever, safety is a priority in retail and hospitality environments. Star Micronics is proud to offer a line of solutions and resources for businesses during this challenging time, designed to keep consumers and employees safe, as well as mitigate business impact caused by COVID-19.

Visit Our Health & Safety Toolbox

At Star Micronics, our hearts go out to anyone impacted by COVID-19, either directly or indirectly, especially to those who are sick, to whom we extend our heartfelt wishes for a full recovery. To learn more about what we are doing as an organization to reduce the global impact of COVID-19, in terms of health and business, please click here.

To browse all of our blog posts covering tips for small businesses during COVID-19, please visit our #StarForSmallBiz blog collection.

Is Your Restaurant Ready for the Growing Online Ordering Trend?

Download Restaurant Brochure
April 9, 2020