Tag: Restaurant & Hospitality

POS Trends to Expect in the Second Half of 2021

As we reach the midway point of 2021, one thing is certain: this year is monumental to the point of sale (POS) industry as the economy rushes into recovery. Read on to explore some of the top POS trends to expect in the second half of the year and beyond.

POS Trend #1: Ongoing Online Ordering Boom

In the return to normalcy, and in many regions, restaurants are reopening, and brick-and-mortar retailers are trying to resume their activities as close as possible to their pre-pandemic levels. But no matter where businesses are on their recovery journey, online ordering is here to stay, and not just because of it being the primary method available to consumers during the pandemic. In fact, consumers worldwide have discovered the convenience and benefits of online ordering and have decided to stick with that method of purchasing, even as physical businesses reopen.

Interestingly, businesses have also found additional benefits in using online ordering platforms. Advantages include an additional revenue stream flowing into their businesses, as well as the opportunity to utilize more robust loyalty programs in a less intrusive, nearly seamless way. This improved loyalty strategy can improve the customer experience and in turn create sticky customers.

Most of the initial challenges many online ordering systems and digital transactions faced have been mitigated, making them an even more appealing option for businesses everywhere. For example, new security measures like multi-factor authentication are becoming standard, allowing a business to offer promotions, discounts, and payments that are less susceptible to fraud.

POS Trend #2: Faster Technology Adoption

Complete solutions and intuitive user experiences (UX) have become essential, and although price will most definitely always be an important consideration in any technological deployment, now value and having the right solution have risen to the top of the priority list.

In a rapidly changing market, solution integrators have no time to spare to try new things that they are not sure will work or test products from uncertain vendors. Instead, they are opting to go directly to what is already working in the market and are selecting the brands with the technologies that are being adopted massively by market leaders.

POS Trend #3: An Emphasis on Health and Safety

Even after the COVID-19 pandemic passes, health and safety will remain a priority to people worldwide. To put employees and customers at ease, a new POS trend has accelerated and retail and hospitality businesses that are reopening must offer a tangible sense of safety to their customers.

Popular health and safety POS products include sneeze guards placed at the point of sale, antimicrobial covers which reduce germ transfer on high-touch surfaces, and tamper-proof labels to securely seal delivery and takeout orders.

Health & Safety Solutions Brochure

Discover which solutions can keep your business squeaky clean and help customers feel confident at your brick-and-mortar location.

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POS Trend #4: Affordable and Simplified Development

The development side of the industry is also experiencing changing POS trends. Development phases are accelerating, and software providers are developing using cross-platform tools (like the StarXpand™ SDK) on the React Native platform, cutting development time and cost in half.

As most digital interactions and virtual communications are happening in the cloud, POS transactions, especially for online ordering, are not an exception. Technologies, like CloudPRNT, are allowing the seamless connection of thermal printers to the cloud. These technologies are not only cost-effective but also shorten integration and development times and are becoming the go-to solution in the market.

POS Trend #5: The Continued Rise of Self-Service Kiosks

Did you know that more than 65% of customers said they would be more willing to visit a restaurant if self-service kiosks were offered?

Clearly, self-service kiosks are a rising POS trend and as they are more widely used, consumers will hold them to a higher standard and expect them to be reliable, intuitive, and safe to use. Because of this, self-service kiosks are particularly sensitive to the quality of the components they are integrated with, so it is essential that those components are selected carefully.

Some POS hardware manufacturers, like Star, offer a vast portfolio of kiosk printers with receipt and labeling capabilities with features that can help ensure customer satisfaction. For example, a kiosk printer with a bezel allows for jam-free kiosk operations, and large-capacity paper rolls allow for extended paper autonomy.

For businesses and integrators with tight budgetary constraints, there are still options for assembling a highly sophisticated self-service kiosk solution. For example, businesses can pair a desktop printer, with the right technology built-in, with a universal tablet enclosure, a tablet, and a tablet stand. This is when finding the right one-stop shop POS manufacturer to work with that can provide all of those components becomes key.

Recommended Solution

For an affordable yet high-quality kiosk, connect the Star Micronics mCP31L multi-interface thermal printer to an iPad via the Lightning port. Next, place the iPad in a Universal mEnclosure (which locks for security purposes), attached firmly to an mUnite stand. Pairing these Star products together can turn a potentially complicated and costly kiosk project into a functional, cost-effective, and simple one.

As a one-stop shop, Star is proud to provide a complete range of POS hardware solutions for retailers, restaurants, and more.

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June 29, 2021
OrderUp Partners with Star Micronics to Provide Restaurants with a No-Cost Dine-In Digital Ordering System

Paired with Star’s mC-Print3, OrderUp allows customers to place dine-in orders from their mobile device

Somerset, NJ – June 8, 2021 – Star Micronics, a leading manufacturer of mobile, point of sale (POS), and customer engagement technologies, is proud to announce that OrderUp has added support for the Star mC-Print3 printer. OrderUp offers contactless ordering and payment solutions to empower restaurants, hotels, and stadiums to provide five-star service while increasing revenues and cutting costs.

OrderUp’s digital menu and ordering platform helps restaurants benefit from 16% faster table turns and 10% larger basket sizes, with 98% of diners who used OrderUp indicating they prefer this new ordering and payment experience over traditional service.

Star’s mC-Print3 offers a splash-proof design with USB hub functionality to connect additional peripherals, making it ideal for kitchen printing in restaurants. With Star’s mC-Print3 with CloudPRNT printer support, guest orders get sent immediately to the kitchen, eliminating order-running and allowing staff to focus on service instead of busywork.

“OrderUp understands safety has become a long-term priority to restaurant employees and diners,” said Chris Gilpin, CEO of OrderUp. “Our application paired with Star’s CloudPRNT technology allows our restaurants to provide a safer and more convenient environment for their customers by offering a truly contactless solution.”

June 8, 2021
How Contactless Dining Technology Will Impact Restaurants
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted the restaurant and food service industry dramatically. The pandemic has forced restaurant owners and operators to adapt, pivot, and move quickly to keep up with government regulations and consumer expectations. One of the ways business owners have done this is through embracing contactless dining technology.

What is Contactless Dining Technology?

Contactless dining technology refers to a dining experience that limits physical contact with the restaurant’s staff, surfaces, menus, and so on. This means that diners can view a menu, and order and pay for a meal directly from their smartphones.

A contactless experience has become a necessity as research shows that 57% of consumers say they are more likely to do business with those who offer a contactless payment option. Not only is this a faster way to order and pay, but limiting physical contact is also a genuine desire of diners.

With restaurants jumping on the bandwagon of contactless dining technology, it doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon. In fact, Gartner predicts that 80% of all ordering, payment, and checkout services will be contactless by 2024. So beyond safety in a post-pandemic recovery, what are the benefits of adopting a contactless dining solution for restaurants? Here are 5 proven outcomes of using contactless dining technology:

1. Increase Operational Efficiency

By definition, operational efficiency is the metric that measures the efficiency of profit earned as a function of operational costs. For restaurants, there tend to be three main operating costs:
- Labor costs
- Food costs
- Rent/lease costs
So, when we talk about operational efficiency, it’s a matter of how efficiently costs are producing profit, and the relationship between those costs and profits.

Arguably one of the most important restaurant metrics is table turnover, which is directly correlated to operating costs and efficiency. The faster you can turn tables, the more tables you can seat, and the more products you can sell. Contactless dining technology can greatly increase table turnover times through increased staff and labor efficiency.

Some of the most time-consuming aspects of an employee’s shift are collecting orders, punching them into a POS, and then splitting the bill manually. With a contactless dining solution, guests can send orders directly to a chit printer or kitchen display system (KDS), then split the bill amongst the table whenever they’re ready to settle up. This entire process eliminates some low value steps for staff and is almost guaranteed to shave off a few minutes per table – which adds up.

2. Increased Customer Satisfaction

One myth about contactless dining technology is that it will take away from the hospitality and service aspect of dining at a restaurant. This is false! In fact, in the State of The Industry Webinar led by the National Restaurant Association revealed that, “52% of Americans want restaurants to use technology to make ordering and payment easier.”

Contactless dining leads to increased customer satisfaction because it speeds up the entire process of ordering and payment, while giving the customer more control and autonomy over their orders. With contactless ordering, the diner can be confident that exactly what they ordered is exactly what the back-of-the-house prepares. This can include special instructions, add-ons, dietary preferences, or allergies.

The end result? A better, faster service that leaves guests satisfied and happy with their experience.

Star Micronics Restaurant Solutions

Star proudly provides a variety of POS hardware for the modern restaurateur, including receipt and label printers for online ordering, cash drawers, tablet stands, and more.

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3. Increased Average Check Size

Although contactless ordering and payment for restaurants is relatively new, the concept and logic behind it makes sense. Take e-commerce for example; about 35% of Amazon’s e-commerce revenue comes from “suggested for you” items and add-ons. The same is true for restaurants. Restaurants that adopt contactless technology will be able to leverage the same trend and capitalize on this type of buying behavior. While it may not be to the tune of 35%, initial modeling from contactless dining providers have noted an an increase in average check size by about 12%.

For example, a $10 cheeseburger can easily become a $14 cheeseburger when given the option to add bacon and sauteed mushrooms, at $2 apiece.

This is just the beginning of how complex and smart digital menus can be. It’s even possible to have suggested food and drink pairings. While this can again drive revenue, it also supports the diner’s positive experience by guiding their decision-making process with the best possible outcome.

4. Environmental Impact, Opportunities, and Saved Costs

Not only does contactless dining technology help drive sales and increase efficiency, it’s also extremely environmentally friendly. Especially with the onset of COVID-19 and the increased usage of single-use menus, a digital menu can save thousands of dollars a year on printing costs while saving the trees. Generally, one tree produces about 8,333 pieces of generic A4 paper – when you think of all the single-use paper menus, that’s a lot of trees!

On the other hand, consumers are looking for ways to be more environmentally friendly and support businesses that are environmentally conscious. One study showed that Americans are willing to pay up to 36% more for ethically sourced and produced foods. Using a digital menu makes it very easy to highlight your food sources and maybe even justify a higher price tag. At the very least, restaurants can test this, without spending money on re-printing menus.

5. Menu Optimization Opportunities

Perhaps the most exciting opportunity of a contactless dining experience is the ability to continually test and optimize your menu in real time. No more spending hundreds (or thousands) of dollars on reprinting menus, changing prices, and adding and removing items.

By using a contactless digital menu and ordering system, restaurant owners can make changes and run tests in real time, meaning they can finetune a menu for maximum revenue on the fly. Some examples are:
- Finding the price elasticity of demand for your items: Find out exactly how much the average diner is willing to pay for a specific item, drink, or add-on. Having the ability to adjust prices in real time based on time of day, weather, and other factors presents a huge opportunity for restaurants to drive revenue.
- Test images: Items with images next to them on a digital or mobile menu have been shown to sell 5% more than items without an image. Understanding this gives restaurant operators the ability to test different imagery for items and conclude which type of image results in the most purchases. Of course, this can be done in tandem with testing prices, naming conventions, item descriptions, and add-ons.
- Testing item placement: In general, restaurants should have one high-margin, high sales volume item per section on their menu. On a traditional menu, these items should be highlighted at the top-center of any given page. But on a digital menu, restaurateurs can adjust and test where items appear on the menu. One advantage of this is testing where high-margin but low sales volume items appear. Perhaps your restaurant has a dish that’s highly profitable, but just doesn’t sell that often. Restaurants are now able to experiment with the price, imagery, and placement of these items to try to increase the sales volume.
The opportunities are truly endless, and restaurant operators can get as granular or as broad as they see fit.

OrderUp Contactless Dining Technology

Contactless dining is here to stay. Restaurants who choose to invest the time into developing a contactless dining experience put themselves in a position to impact revenue, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency, all while making an effort to be more environmentally conscious. Even if your restaurant likes to do things “the old-fashioned way,” it’s always a good idea to have a contactless option for guests who have safety concerns or demographics that are more accustomed to contactless ordering and payment.

There are several services that provide contactless dining solutions such as OrderUp. OrderUp is a completely free platform that provides digital menus, and contactless order and pay, among other services such as email collection. They have an easy-to-use menu builder that allows restaurants to make changes in real time, all while reaping the many other benefits of contactless dining.

Explore Order Up’s Solution
May 13, 2021
Restaurant Guide: How to Offer Curbside Pickup
Curbside pickup is here, and it is here to stay. In fact, according to Technomic’s 2020 Delivery and Takeout Consumer Trend Report, 66% of consumers anticipate continuing to use curbside pickup after dine-in services resume. Simply put, if you haven’t started offering curbside pickup, now is the time to do so, and we’re here to help. Read on to explore our guide on how to offer curbside pickup.

Why Offer Curbside Pickup?

Needless to say, the restaurant industry has been hit very hard during the COVID-19 pandemic. There was a lot of emphasis specifically on restaurants in terms of the spread of the virus. To protect the public, restaurants worldwide faced multiple shutdowns, reduced hours of operation, and regulations on when alcohol can be served (which was especially hard on restaurant revenue, since alcohol makes up a significant amount of restaurant sales). Unfortunately, as of the end of 2020, 17% of restaurants have closed due to the pandemic.

One solution to help both existing restaurants trying to maintain or increase sales, and new restaurants opening during the pandemic, is curbside pickup. For a part of 2020, because so many restaurants had to close dine-in service, takeout and delivery where the only options, and both offer different benefits to businesses. While delivery can increase a restaurant’s visibility and is a very convenient option for customers, curbside pickup and takeout services can potentially help restaurants boost profits and help customers save money by avoiding additional fees and tips.

6 Crucial Technologies for Successful Curbside Service

Ignite your curbside service’s full potential with these six crucial technologies.

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How to Offer Curbside Pickup: What Technology is Involved?

Rest assured that with the right tools, curbside pickup is an easy solution to provide. Read on to learn more about what online ordering technology is beneficial to a curbside pickup strategy, as well as other useful curbside pickup tools and tips including mobile printing for curbside receipts, tamper-proof labels, and marketing suggestions.

Online Ordering Technology

The right technology can take a restaurant’s curbside pickup strategy from blah to whoa. While of course customers can still call in their orders, online ordering makes the process more convenient and cuts down on any inaccuracies during order-taking, which in turn makes customers happy and restaurants more profitable.

As online ordering booms, so do the number of services available for it. One rule of thumb to keep in mind is that you will need both an online ordering software application and printers within the restaurant that are integrated with your software and can print kitchen tickets, labels, and receipts.

Implementing a curbside pickup strategy that runs like a well-oiled machine likely means you’ll achieve repeat customers and increased revenue. Some key features to look for in your online ordering software and hardware are:
- Accurate Pickup Time Estimations: The time required to prepare an order often varies. Sometimes there are not as many orders being placed and meals can be prepared quickly, but other times like during peak times of the day, there can be a delay between when an order is placed and when the kitchen staff can prepare it. Boost customer satisfaction by choosing a service that prioritizes accurate pickup time estimations.
- Customizable Digital Menu: Be sure to choose an online ordering application that allows you to easily create a customized, user-friendly online menu landing page.
- Automatic and Robust Printing: Automatic printing is key to a successful online ordering and curbside pickup strategy. Online ordering printers, like Star Micronics printers, automatically print an order in the kitchen once it is placed, avoiding unintentionally skipped orders or orders completed out of sequence. Printer manufacturers like Star Micronics can also provide a robust lineup of printing solutions for all of your restaurant’s needs, including impact kitchen printers that produce kitchen tickets which remain intact even in the heat, and linerless label printers that print labels which are repositionable and boost order accuracy up to 99%.
- Easy Installation: Implementing your curbside strategy doesn’t need to be complicated. Be sure to choose a software provider that helps you get up and running quickly, and printers that work out of the box with your chosen software. Also be sure that each provider offers top-notch customer service and technical support should you need assistance at any point.
- Affordability: At a time when profitability can make or break a restaurant, it’s important to choose an affordable online ordering/curbside pickup solution. For example, UBMe software is available with an affordable monthly rate and a Star Micronics online ordering printer is a simple one-time fee. The best part is that when combined, these technologies can help restaurants see large increases in revenue by providing a seamless, customer-friendly online ordering and curbside pickup solution.
The UBMe online ordering platform is affordable, intuitive, and allows for restaurant customization.

Other Useful Curbside Pickup Tools and Tips
- Curbside Receipt Printing: While most online orders are paid online with a credit card, sometimes customers want to pay curbside. In that case, it’s important to be prepared with a reliable portable receipt printer that is compatible with Bluetooth, iOS, and Android, and includes a magnetic stripe reader (MSR).
- Tamper-Proof Labels: Take your curbside pickup game to the next level and put your customers’ minds at ease with tamper-proof labels that seal food bags and drinks, and provide visual evidence of tampering.
- Marketing: Be sure to spread the word far and wide that your restaurant offers curbside pickup. You can post about it on your social media accounts, send emails to your existing customer base, and even promote it for free on your dine-in and delivery receipts with Star Micronics PromoPRNT.
UBMe and Star Micronics: Making Curbside Pickup Easy

Recently, UBMe and Star Micronics partnered up to provide restaurant owners online ordering and automatic printing of orders.

The partnership consists of UBMe’s technology and custom menu landing page where customers can easily place and a Star Micronics mC-Print3 that automatically prints an order in the restaurant kitchen once the order is placed.

Together, UBMe and Star Micronics are proud to offer an affordable, easy-to-use, and customer-friendly online ordering/curbside pickup solution.

Interested in learning more about UBMe and Star Micronics’s curbside solution?

Contact Us Today

About UBMe

UBMe’s powerful online ordering and curbside communication platform for restaurants allows restaurant owners to increase their sales and revenue. With advanced patented technology, exceptional customer service, and expert marketing strategy, we help increase restaurant profits. What makes UBMe’s technology special: Upon arriving at the restaurant, customers can “check-in” using the free UBMe app to privately message staff. The customer can let staff know they arrived, chat with other customers, leave comments, pay for additional items, all while practicing social distancing.
February 25, 2021
The Restaurant of the Future: What it Looks Like and Why It’s Successful

As the new year begins, restaurateurs and their loyal customers wonder what the restaurant of the future will look like as the industry continues to adapt to changes brought on by the ongoing pandemic. Shifting consumer trends and attitudes have changed the trajectory of the industry in mere months.

The world is in the middle of digital transformation and many restaurants have recognized that. The shift toward online services won’t pass with the pandemic – from QR codes to digital marketing campaigns, future success depends on how well restaurants adapt to changing consumer trends. Read on to discover how and why digital, self-service, and contactless technology will be a part of the successful restaurant of the future.

Self-Service

One technology that is sure to be found in the restaurant of the future is the self-service kiosk. Although self-service kiosks used to mainly be found in large restaurant chains, in recent years the technology has become accessible to small business owners as well. Self-service kiosks offer the ability to shorten lines and free up staff to provide an even better customer experience and handle more pressing tasks that can’t be done by machine.

Kiosks, tableside tablets, and other self-ordering point of sale (POS) devices allow customers to personalize their orders and forced modifiers prompt them to add side dishes or increase their drink size. While these additions cost only cents to customers, that profit adds up over time for the business.

Self-service can create sticky business, as well. Easily being able to customize meals encourages diners to come back again and again, allowing restaurants to improve loyalty while addressing the needs of the modern guest.

The benefits of self-service extend to health and safety, too. Social distancing is made simple when customers complete their transaction at a kiosk or by themselves at their table. An added bonus is improved order turn times, as orders get submitted straight to the kitchen versus having to go through the added step of being submitted by a waitstaff member.

The benefits of the customization that self-service allows for continue. Many self-ordering solutions include the ability to build customer profiles to help staff predict their needs and tailor every experience like they’re a welcome friend. With the right online ordering platform, guests can quickly log in to reorder favorites and this information gives restaurants valuable access to data they can incorporate into targeted marketing campaigns to increase revenue (or contact trace, if needed).

Online Ordering: Delivery and Curbside Pickup

With dine-in services being limited around the world, many people are turning their focus to off-premises ordering channels instead. Delivery and takeout systems are growing; they helped restaurants survive the past year and recent additions like drive-throughs and curbside pickup are likely to stick around now that restaurants have recognized the resulting ROI. According to Restaurant Business Magazine, 60% of business owners report that opening up delivery channels produced incremental sales.

To make the most of the online ordering trend, restaurants should optimize their online ordering platform and streamline operations so they’re ready to handle the influx of business that will flock to the new off-premises channels. Advanced restaurant technology can do just that, improving communication between the front- and back-of-the-house but also from customer to employee. In fact, the best POS systems submit orders directly to the kitchen display system (KDS) and improve order accuracy for enhanced guest satisfaction. Linerless labels, which contain order details and can be easily applied to (and repositioned on) online orders, can also greatly improve order accuracy.

In the restaurant of the future, technology and manual labor work together to create a streamlined ecosystem of shared responsibilities. Restaurants may assign available waitstaff to direct traffic for a new curbside service or reorganize the seating area to become a zone for socially distanced takeout orders. Advanced POS systems incorporate seamlessly into operations to make life easier, customers happier, and staff more productive.

6 Crucial Technologies for Successful Curbside Service

Ignite your curbside service’s full potential with these six crucial technologies.

Download free eBook

QR Codes and Digitization

Contactless technologies will likely remain a pillar of restaurant businesses when dine-in services open again at full capacity. Over half of U.S. restaurants already use QR-code menus (Beaconstac, 2020) to provide patrons convenience, personalization, and enhanced safety along with the comforts of sitting down at a restaurant. Meanwhile, servers can use their time to improve the customer experience by chatting with patrons, cleaning and sanitizing, and more.

So, how do QR code menus work? First, place the QR code on each table, the host stand, storefront windows, or as part of the décor – anywhere that is accessible to guests from their seats so they can easily review the menu and enter their orders from their smartphones. Patrons can also complete their transactions at their tables, with faster, secure payment methods that work via mobile menu. By providing in-house, EMV-enabled devices that can take NFC, mobile wallet, tap and swipe payment method, every customer will be satisfied.

How is all of this possible? With eatOS or similar technologies, you get a POS device that can handle all of these new sales channels and extra traffic without any added effort from your team. Get all of the convenience of cutting-edge digital solutions to common industry problems and see the benefits of implementing online ordering, QR codes and other contactless service options in your restaurant.

Future of Food Service

The restaurant of the future is digital. Long after the threat of COVID-19 has passed, these trends will likely continue to evolve along a similar trajectory with technology unburdening manual labor, cutting costs, and improving profits, all in one fell swoop. As customers come to rely more and more on a touch-free experience, their favorite businesses will have to adapt to become more efficient. In 2021, that means shifting services to the digital world.

POS systems are getting faster, more accurate, more capable, and more profitable as consumers come to prefer self-service and automation. As the new year unfolds, the restaurant industry will continue to digitize with the aid of contactless technology that puts them online and launches them toward greater success. Self-service technologies, like kiosks, combined with online ordering platforms, QR codes, and other contactless technology solutions are bringing restaurants all over the world into the future.

Looking for a cloud-based restaurant management and payment processing ecosystem?

Looking for a cloud-based restaurant management and payment processing ecosystem?

Explore eatOS Point of Sale

About eatOS

At eatOS, we build cloud-based technology solutions exclusively for restaurants.

Our experience in the restaurant industry and specialized teams help us understand the complexity of running a restaurant. These tools allow us to build a customizable solution to help restaurants adapt to the industry’s needs.

Our cloud-based platform works on both iOS & Android, giving restaurants flexibility. Our management solutions simplify operations regardless of restaurant size. Guest engagement features improve the overall guest experience and reduce friction in the operations for staff.

Our technology gives restaurants the ability to engage with their community in new and innovative ways and automate operations from payroll to inventory management. eatOS point of sale handles all the busywork and allows restaurants to focus on their customers.

At eatOS our main priority is helping restaurateurs succeed. We strongly believe in giving our clients the ability to simplify management, exceed customer expectations, and provide a true cloud-based POS solution. Using these three values at the core of our focus to bridge the gap between the community and technology.

February 11, 2021
8 Must-Have Features for Cloud Kitchen Point of Sale
With the rise of ghost kitchens, some companies are tackling the ghost kitchen model’s challenges head-on for restaurateurs who are struggling to stay profitable in the current business climate.

As these companies purchase facilities and outfit them with the essential commercial grade appliances, they must also give careful thought to the restaurant POS technology chosen. The restaurant management software and hardware selected must streamline ghost kitchen operations as much as possible.

The ghost kitchen company is responsible for choosing technology to address tenets’ pain points as much as possible. Pain points like:
- Dual or multiple operations per kitchen
- No face-to-face payment processing
- And more
Discover eight must-have features for cloud kitchen point of sale.

Online Ordering and Delivery Management Software

Whether third-party or custom, a ghost kitchen needs a seamless online ordering solution for desktop and mobile. Choose a technology provider with the flexibility to integrate with third-party apps and accommodate custom solutions for delivery management. Using a third-party option like DoorDash or Uber Eats ensures access to a large market. It’s also simple to install and doesn’t require a large initial investment.

Forward-thinking companies should also explore custom solutions that integrate with digital display and barcode scanners to complete a full, delivery-only kitchen solution.

Proper Printers

Besides online ordering and delivery management software, ghost kitchens need a reliable impact printer for kitchen use that produces heat and humidity resistant, easy-to-read tickets fast. The SP742 Impact Printer from Star Micronics is explicitly built to work in environments where heat and humidity can erode the type on the kitchen orders, making it the perfect addition to any kitchen, ghost or non. For kitchens where heat and moisture aren’t an issue, consider our reliable mC-Print3 receipt printer.

Ghost kitchens also require a reliable sticky label printer and tamper-proof labels to go with their delivery-only operations. Star Micronics’s TSP654IISK thermal printer for sticky paper works with liner-free labeling applications, producing labels that stick to virtually any surface and that can be easily reapplied. Our tamper-proof labels are also a must-have to keep to-go bags and boxes properly sealed and secure.

Scalability, Reliability, and Flexibility

Scalability, reliability, and flexibility are crucial. For startup delivery operation, a simple tablet is often all that is necessary. From this host, the kitchen can receive the order and define preparation time and order delivery. However, once the operation is functional, many accessories are necessary for a smooth process. Tablets do not have ports to support the connectivity, and therefore a technology connecting hub is needed. The mC-Print supports a USB hub where many operation-streamlining peripherals, such as those listed below, can be connected.

Additionally, Bluetooth connectivity and hardwired tethered Ethernet connections, such as Star Micronics’ SteadyLAN® provide ultra-reliable internet connectivity.

Scanner

Provide your restaurateur tenants with scanners so they can better monitor their meal preparation process. Restaurateurs simply scan the order at every stage of order prep. Armed with this data, restaurateurs can give more accurate delivery time estimates to customers. More precise delivery estimates mean happier customers and a more efficient cloud kitchen operation.

Digital Display

Digital display is an excellent way for tenets to understand better what action must be taken with commands like accept, cancel, and delay order. It also provides next steps, such as Press #1 for the next step, or press #2 for order ready. Star’s digital display fits perfectly on top of the printer for a smaller footprint.

Buzzer

A buzzer will ensure that chefs know precisely when a new order comes into their kitchen. An ideal buzzer will enhance printer functionality by offering a better way to alert the tenet of incoming orders and more information about order type, source, and urgency. Choose a buzzer with high sound quality and speech recording capability for full understanding. A buzzer needs to be compatible with Windows, iOS, and Android SDKs for future flexibility. Users can choose from various sound types and volumes, and ISVs can assign individual custom sounds to different order types and playback sounds sent from a host device.

Bump Bar Connectivity

Bump bars are a crucial part of kitchen operations, bringing convenience and flexibility to the commercial kitchen. A small keyboard allows kitchen staffers to see and shift orders in the queue if necessary, bump bars work to decrease service times and efficiency, order accuracy and improve communication between staff. Any hardware and software you choose should have the ability to integrate with bumper technology so that operations are organized and visible.

Printed Promotions

Since many ghost kitchen operations are opening as a virtual restaurant, the entire customer experience is centered around delivery service. The to-go bag or box delivered to the customer’s door is the only tangible representation of the business; they can’t rely on their physical storefront to enforce their brand. Offering each cloud kitchen tenet the opportunity to create custom printed promotions that can be dropped into each to-go box is crucial to building their brand.

Printed promotions can include special offers or coupons for the next meal, customer service surveys with QR codes, samples of other dishes, or even links to the full menu. With PromoPRNT, tenets can create printed promotions that will drive customer experience and build loyalty.

It is crucial to choose restaurant management solutions that will help your tenets optimize their business. Ghost kitchens operate slightly differently from traditional ones and therefore require specific solutions to ensure their success.

Star Micronics’s hardware is perfect for ghost kitchen operations. We provide solutions that solve every day IT challenges to every day delivery-only kitchen challenges. If you’re ready to entice tenets to your facility with top-of-the-line technology that will meet their day-to-day business needs, connect with one of our distributor partners today.
December 17, 2020
How Tamper-Proof Seal Labels Boost Customer Confidence in Restaurant Pickup and Delivery
Pickup and delivery have been increasing in popularity in recent years, and the COVID-19 pandemic took that popularity to a new level. Now, despite many restaurants being open again for table service, pickup and delivery remain a customer favorite – but these methods come with some concern.

How do customers know that their food isn’t being tampered with in the time between when the food is prepared at the restaurant and when they receive it at their door? Let’s explore this concern – and how tamper-proof seal labels can boost customer confidence by providing peace of mind during the delivery and pickup processes.

Why the Concern?

No one wants to think about their delivery driver munching away on their fries on the way to their home but sadly, it happens. Did you know that according to a recent US Foods study, approximately 30% of drivers admitted to eating some of the food that they deliver? Furthermore, 54% of deliverers reported they are tempted by the smell of the food the deliver, and 21% of customers have at one time suspected a delivery driver of taking some of their food.

While these numbers are shocking, the benefits of delivery services are vast and the average person has two food delivery apps and uses them three times each month. So, how can a restaurant ensure a food order remains perfectly intact after it leaves the restaurant’s kitchen and doors? Tamper-proof seal labels are the answer.

3 Ways Tamper-Proof Seal Labels Boost Customer Confidence

1. They Show Evidence of Tampering

The most important way that tamper-proof seal labels boost confidence is simple: they provide visible evidence if an order is tampered with. How do they do that? Many tamper-proof labels feature security slits that become slashed open if a person tries to (or succeeds to) open a food bag or container.

This obvious evidence of tampering (or on the contrary, evidence that an order hasn’t been touched) can allow restaurant customers to rest assured that their food was not tinkered with at any point – from the restaurant kitchen, to the delivery car, to their doorstep.

Star Micronics Label Solutions

From printing product labels in a warehouse to quickly attaching linerless labels to coffee cups in a café, Star Micronics understands labeling solutions aren’t “one size fits all.” Designed with the application and user in mind, Star Micronics offers label printers with the technology needed for today’s digital, fast-moving world, and label paper for virtually any business scenario.

Learn More

2. They Adhere to Multiple Order Types

Customers don’t just order entrees – they order beverages, desserts, snacks, and other items that require a variety of food package sizes.

Tamper-proof labels are available in a variety of sizes for a range of food containers like large and small bags, pizza boxes, beverage cups, and more. Because these labels can adhere to multiple order types, they can help keep every menu item safe and secure. As a restaurant, leveraging different sizes of labels can provide security and peace of mind to your customers for their entire order (no matter what they order) – and that’s truly priceless.

3. They Build Trust in the Business

Trust is important in all aspects of life, but when it comes to the restaurant industry, trust can make or break a business. Customers want to know that they can count on a restaurant to safely prepare and deliver consistently delicious, high-quality meals.

In fact, in the same US Foods study referenced above, 1,500 American adults were asked if they ordered a burger and fries and the delivery driver grabbed a few fries along the way, how upset would they be on a scale from 1-10 (1 being “no big deal” and 10 being “absolutely acceptable”). Unsurprisingly, the average answer was 8.4 … and who can blame them?

Those same customers were asked if they would like restaurants to use tamper-evident labels to address this issue, and a whopping 85% of them said yes – another unsurprising, understandable answer.

Leveraging tamper-proof seal labels shows restaurant customers that the business values and prioritizes safety and security – something that can not only be assumed but has been proven to be very important to customers. By using tamper-proof labels restaurants can build trust with customers, something that encourages diners to continue to order from the restaurant in the future … and what is better than sticky business and happy patrons?

About Star Micronics’ Tamper-Proof Seal Labels

Always leading, and always innovating, Star Micronics is proud to include a tamper-proof labeling solution in its restaurant POS offering, designed to securely seal delivery, catering, and to-go food and beverage orders. Available in three sizes, the labels are a part of Star Micronics’ full restaurant solution which includes online ordering printers, durable cash drawers, kitchen printers, and more.

Designed with security as a priority, the labels provide added post-preparation quality control by delivering visual evidence if a label has been removed or repositioned. To signal an order has been tampered with, security seals become slashed. With proven on-packaging performance, the labels are an ideal solution to securely seal food for delivery or pickup orders.

Key Features:
- Delivers visual evidence if the label has been removed or repositioned
- Each roll includes 500 easy-to-apply labels
- 3” round labels to seal takeout bags
- 2” X 4” labels to seal large bags or close the mouths of bags
- 0.75” X 7” labels to close drink lids
Learn More about Star Micronics’ Tamper-Proof Labels
November 12, 2020
Star Micronics and Crunch Systems Team Up to Provide Online Ordering Solution for Restaurants

Star Micronics, a leading manufacturer of mobile, point of sale (POS), and customer engagement technologies, is proud to announce that Crunch has added support for Star’s new mC-Print3. With the Crunch Manager and Star Micronics, receiving and printing online orders has never been easier.

Crunch is an app built to seamless receive and accept online food orders. Restaurateurs are able to confirm the order, review important order details, provide status updates to hungry customers, and more through Crunch. Crunch also provides its customers with a custom-designed self-ordering kiosk and mobile ordering apps built specifically for their business. With food images, nutritional information, varied menu options, and more, Crunch allows restaurants to stand out from their competition and other online ordering platforms.

Star Micronics’ new mC-Print3 is compact and sleek with exceptional functionality. With front paper loading, and a splash- and insect-proof design, the mC-Print3 is perfect for restaurant environments. The new printer comes with multiple connectivity options and hub functionality to power up to three peripherals, such as a kitchen buzzer, scanner, or line display.

“We are pleased to continue our partnership with Star Micronics,” says Shmuly Preizler, CEO of Crunch. “Together we are able to offer an amazing product for restaurants across the country and help them with the Crunch Self-Ordering Kiosks and online ordering platform to be more efficient and successful.”

About Crunch Systems

Crunch is a point-of-sale and restaurant management platform built exclusively for food service businesses on an affordable cloud-based platform. Crunch offers advanced functionality including self-ordering kiosks, quick menu modifications, real-time enterprise reporting, online ordering, mobile ordering on an easy-to-use interface, and more!

Crunch gives restaurant owners the ability to have their customers order online using their website directly from any device. Crunch offers a feature rich and user-friendly ordering solutions, including online web ordering, mobile app and self-ordering kiosks. Crunch also offers a full back office portal and integrates to over 35 POS systems. For more information, visit https://www.gocrunch.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.

September 4, 2020
Provide a Touch-free Experience to Your Dine-in Guests with Contactless Digital Menus
One of the major concerns for restaurant dine-in was the use of traditional (printed) menus because they are found to be the dirtiest thing on a restaurant table. Guests are hesitant to touch these traditional menus and also the CDC regulations have made it clear that disposable menus should be provided. But printing disposal menus are not ideal given the rising costs. Restaurants are quickly pivoting by offering their guests a touch-free experience with contactless digital menus/QR menus.

Why Contactless Digital Menus?

1. Contactless is here for the long haul

The global pandemic has literally been life changing. More than ever, society is concerned and obsessed with their health. With COVID-19 cases still surging guests are looking for more ways to go contactless to protect themselves from the possible contact with the virus. These measures are even more heightened when it comes to ordering food at the restaurant. Therefore, contactless digital menus are ideal for restaurants like yours to adapt to.

2. Cost-effective

If you are going for disposal menus, a single paper menu, uncoated, in black and white print costs about 50 cents. If you are doing over 100 for lunch and 100 for dinner that’s $100, adding up to about $3,000 a month. QR menus are very cost-effective. You only have to print and place the table tents on the table and this can be used for a more extended period of time.

3. Easily accessible

Accessing the menu is as simple as scanning the QR code from their phones or tablets, and then accessing the web page to place their orders.

4. No app download

With QR menus or digital menus, guests do not need to download heavy apps to their phones. They can simply place their orders online through a web URL.

5. Flexible menu updates

Restaurateurs can instantly add, edit, and delete menu items and update item descriptions. If the menu is updated once, it updates on every menu scanned.

6. Attention with images

Traditional menus do not have images mostly because it is costly to print high-quality images on paper. But with contactless digital menus, you can have mouth-watering images to make customers want to order more. Having images help them decide what they want, which therefore makes their ordering process easier.

7. Less wait-staff assistance

Wait-staff can be re-allocated to add value to other parts of the business. When orders are placed through contactless digital menus, the order can be sent directly to receipt or kitchen printer.

8. Cashless payments

Guests and staff do not have to handle cash. Cash being passed from hand to hand and can be contaminated, and compromises the safety and health of both customers and staff.

9. Re-ordering

Guests can re-order their favorite dishes, or a beverage refill without having to wait for the staff approach the table, and eliminating more human contact.

10. Quicker table turns

With seating capacity reduced to allow tables to be placed at least 6 feet apart, restaurants are not getting their normal amount of guests, resulting in less revenue. Contactless digital menus increase the speed for ordering and payment and so you can turn more tables and increase the potential for revenues.

11. Collect guest information and traceability

You do not need to manually take down customer information. With contactless digital menus, the guest will have to input their information to complete their order.

12. Run targeted campaigns

Ordering through contactless digital menu captures guest information like email, contact number, etc. This helps you run future targeted marketing campaigns such as email campaigns on your latest offers, SMS on going discounts, and more.

How to get Contactless Digital Menus/QR Menus?

When you sign up for a demo with Applova, the team will get in touch with you to set up contactless digital menus. This can be ready in a couple of days. The Applova team will build the menu with enticing food imagery. Then the team will also provide you with a free marketing pack to launch contactless digital menus at your restaurant. The marketing pack would include customized table tent designs with QR codes on it for each table (each QR code will carry the table number so that the restaurant staff can easily track the table that made the order).

How is the process contactless? How does it work?

When you get your table tent designs, you can print them and place them on each table.
1. Your dine-in guest scans the contactless digital menu to view the menu on their phone or tablet.
2. They can select their food and beverages
3. Tip the waiter and make their payment online
4. Orders will be directly pushed to the POS and printed in the kitchen printers
5. When the order ready, the order will be sent to the correct table.
To wrap it up, ever since the wake of COVID-19 restaurants are quickly adapting to contactless digital menus. These contactless digital menus are hygienic and easy to roll out. They are cost effective, environmentally friendly, engaging to customers and they are mobile-optimized, simple to search and navigate. They are easy to update instantly. Adapting to contactless digital menus is a new experience for guests and it is now the way of dining life.

Access Contactless Menus with Applova
August 27, 2020
Star Micronics Introduces Feature-Packed Choice Series Cash Drawers

The features businesses know and love – with added strength and benefits

Somerset, NJ – July 21, 2020 – Star Micronics, a leading manufacturer of mobile, point of sale (POS), and customer engagement technologies, is excited to introduce the Choice Series cash drawers to its line of cash management solutions.

Available in 14” x 16” and 16” x 16” sizes and glossy black and matte white finishes, with an optional stainless-steel front design, the Choice Series cash drawers are available in the sizes and styles businesses demand. Equipped with standard till sizes, the 14” x 16” cash drawer features a 4 Bill-5 Coin till and the 16” x 16” model includes a 5 Bill-5 Coin till, with additional sizes available to fit a business’ specific needs.

Stronger than their competition, Choice Series cash drawers feature a reinforced top creating added strength to eliminate bounce from touch tablets and securely support POS terminals. The Choice Series is a one-key cash management solution enabling both the cash drawer and locking till cover to be operated by a single hinged key. Managers will love the convenience of a single hinged key that will not break off in the lock.

Simply connect the cable included with your Choice Series cash drawer to the drawer kick of your POS printer and enjoy years of reliable operation tested to over 1 million cycles and backed by a three-year warranty. Available options for the Choice Series include under-counter mounts, locking till covers, over 10 different lock set options, and a secure dual-cash cable to enable the Choice Series to work as either cash drawer 1 or cash drawer 2.

The Choice Series complements two other Star Micronics cash drawer lines: The Value Series of affordable, standard cash drawers, and the Max Series of premium cash drawers with added security and design features.

“The combination of simple setup and operation, reliable and secure steel construction, and compatibility makes the Choice Series right for your business,” said Michael Hanson, Executive Vice President at Star Micronics. “Make your next sale a Star Bundle by adding a Choice Series cash drawer to Star’s expanding portfolio of customer solutions.”

July 21, 2020