As we attempt to cope with the vast loss from COVID-19, it is becoming clear that certain things will be forever changed. Especially for those who are particularly at risk, there is a pervasive sense of fear. Many do not want even their credit cards to be touched by others.
We crave life as we knew it for simple pleasures—dining out with friends, and going to the movies—but also for economic stability. Reopening our country is a delicate balancing act by which, hopefully, we may cleverly adapt and find safe ways to experience these joys again, support local businesses, to restore some sense of normalcy.
Restaurants, in particular, are walking this tightrope, many embracing contactless delivery and pickup options to stay afloat. Contactless ordering and curbside pickup will become (if not already) a necessity for the food service industry.
With restaurants scrambling to restructure to accommodate fewer sit–down and more takeout customers, efficiency is paramount.
How Does Contactless Ordering in Restaurants Work?
A variety of companies—Toast, ChowNow, Open Dining and more— provide strikingly similar contactless ordering services. They operate by linking from a restaurant’s website to a detailed menu; in other words, they attract customers who are already interested in ordering.
Some restaurants only facilitate contactless ordering through their own app or a phone call. No one wants to clutter their device with applications, and busy employees quickly jotting down orders on the phone leaves lots of room for error.
Amidst these imperfect options, contactless ordering as enabled by companies like GRUBBRR is a game changer. With new solutions, consumers simply walk up to a restaurant and use their phone to take a picture of a displayed QR code.
A detailed menu will instantly appear. The QR code may appear on a poster or screen, as well as the restaurant’s website. It’s a nuisance to download a different app for every restaurant while scanning a QR code takes mere seconds.
Customers can then order from their own device from the comfort of their own car and pay remotely with a credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and more.
Provided the restaurant places the food in a customer’s trunk, all of this can be accomplished without physical contact, preventing the spread of disease and keeping customers and employees safe.
The Benefits of an On Premise Contactless Ordering Solution
A QR code is simple, effective, and innovative. With so many of us cooped up at home, getting outside and walking or driving in our community is a relief.
Those passing their local restaurants will likely notice signage, perhaps feeling compelled to order on the spot. Beyond streamlining the ordering process and attracting consumers, contactless ordering by QR code builds crucial trust by showcasing a commitment to cleanliness and safety.
Customers need to see that businesses are working to protect them. Just as restaurant–goers will look favorably on staff who diligently wear masks and wipe down surfaces, a displayed QR code is reassuring. A scannable, tangible step toward safety.
As QSR Magazine notes, “Consumers are absolutely paying attention to your brand’s efforts to take care of health, hygiene, and people during COVID-19”. With the entire community watching, restaurants can alleviate fear and begin to bring back joy by embracing contactless ordering, QR style.