Square makes online ordering easier for restaurants with QR codes
Today, Square announced it has rolled out a new self-serve online ordering function for Australian sellers using Square Online. The QR-based product will enable restaurant sellers to easily limit in-person contact, increase safety, improve order accuracy and adapt to changing customer preferences.
Customers simply scan the QR code with their personal device and place their order via the seller’s mobile-optimised ordering page. Once the transaction is completed, the order is received at the seller’s point-of-sale and relayed to their kitchen printers along with the table number, just as if the order was taken directly by a server.
Nic Brady, owner of Newy Fried Chicken that operates its food service in the Newcastle Hotel, said self-serve ordering is helping him serve customers safely as business slowly gets back to normal.
“The self-serve ordering function makes it easy for our customers to safely and seamlessly place orders using just their smartphone at the table. In addition to keeping our staff and customers safe, the feature is helping us improve our service efficiency and customer experience,” said Brady.
“Online ordering helps us to serve more customers with limited staff on the floor, as they don’t have to worry about moving around the pub or lining up at service counters. Providing an instant order and pay option is also helping with table turn times, which is good for business.”
Square Australia’s Head of Business Development, Colin Birney, said the increased functionality of Square Online has been game-changing for the many hospitality sellers who have been particularly impacted by COVID-19 this year.
“Today, more than ever, every sale matters for businesses. This is especially true for restaurants and cafes who face additional challenges like thin margins, reduced capacity limits and strict operational regulations for the foreseeable future,” said Birney.
“Over the past six months we’ve seen hospitality businesses make a big shift to online selling as they turn to digital services, like Square Online, to help them maintain cash flow while adapting to changing regulations. Over the past six months, Square has seen the average number of online sales among food and drink businesses across the country increase 12 times, compared to what they were pre-pandemic.”
In addition to providing customers and staff with peace of mind by limiting unnecessary interactions and shared surfaces, self-serve ordering also enables sellers to collect customer information on sales and develop new customer relationships through Square’s other ecosystem products, like Square Loyalty. Customers can collect and redeem loyalty points on purchases made through Square Online just as they would at a Square point-of-sale.
Self-serve ordering is now available in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. The feature is the latest addition to Square’s ecosystem helping sellers continue to serve customers in this challenging new business environment. For more information on Square’s additional resources and product updates, please visit the COVID-19 resource hub.
