Drive-through ordering systems have long been a staple of fast-food chains, but their appeal has extended to a wider range of restaurants as businesses seek to enhance customer convenience and efficiency. While the setup and operation of a drive-through can be complex, the benefits often outweigh the challenges.

One of the most important aspects of drive-through ordering systems is the overall setup and how to make it convenient enough for your customers, which is easier said than done. In this article, we will explore the advantages of implementing a drive-through ordering system and provide practical guidance on how you can get started with it. We'll also discuss how services like OrderEm can simplify the process, helping you create a seamless drive-through experience for your customers and take your restaurant business to the next level.

What is a Drive-Through Ordering System?

The drive-through ordering system allows customers to place food orders from their cars, pay, and receive their orders without leaving their vehicles. This type of ordering system is particularly popular among fast food restaurants, where the relatively quick food preparation times make it convenient for customers to pick up their orders without entering the establishment. Drive-through services are both convenient and cost-effective for restaurants, as they don't need to provide dining or delivery services while still attracting customers who prefer to pick up their food themselves.

Advantages of Having a Drive-Through Ordering System

Let us look at some of the benefits of having a drive-through ordering system at your restaurant business.

Convenience: The appeal of a drive-through ordering system lies in its convenience for both you and your customers. Customers can simply drive up to the drive-through, view the menu using self-ordering kiosks or other hardware at the window, place their orders, make payments, and pick up their food from the delivery window, all without ever leaving their cars. 

Reduced Wait Times: Traditional food service at restaurants typically involves customers sitting at tables, waiting for servers, and placing orders. This process can vary significantly depending on the restaurant's footfall. Drive-through ordering systems, on the other hand, streamline the ordering process by eliminating the need for customers to wait for a table and interact with a server, leading to reduced wait times leading to faster service and increased customer satisfaction.

Increased Revenue: The quick service offered by drive-through ordering systems not only reduces wait times but also attracts more customers. Often people are just looking for a quick meal and prioritise speed over a formal dining experience. Your restaurant can be a preferred choice for such customers compared to competitors. Additionally, the convenience of your drive-through service is likely to attract repeat business over time.

Profitability: Drive-through services can attract more customers to your restaurant, which can lead to increased revenue. Customers may be more likely to order additional items when they don't have to wait in line. You can also use drive-through systems to suggest additional items or upsell options, increasing the average order value per customer.

24/7 Service: Drive-through ordering systems can operate with fewer employees, allowing you to stay open throughout the day, including at night. This can be a valuable source of extra revenue for your restaurant business.

Reduced Costs: From the perspective of restaurant owners, one of the biggest financial benefits of using a drive-through ordering system is reduced costs. Drive-through systems can help automate many processes, reducing the need for more employees to handle in-store orders.

The automation aspect of drive-through systems also leads to more efficient and faster service, which can help reduce food waste that is often associated with human-operated restaurants. Additionally, drive-through systems can save on real estate costs by eliminating the need for dining areas.

Adaptability: With drive-through ordering systems, you gain access to valuable customer data, including their ordering habits, favorite food items, and even special events like birthdays and anniversaries. This data can be integrated with your point-of-sale (POS) system to create targeted marketing campaigns and personalized offers. 

You can also leverage a mobile app with loyalty program integration, allowing customers to place orders, track points, and redeem rewards. Additionally, consider offering QR code scanning at the drive-through window for seamless account linking and implement tiered loyalty programs based on spending or visit frequency. Higher tiers can unlock exclusive rewards like early access to new menu items or personalized dishes.

While drive-through ordering systems offer numerous benefits, they require an initial investment in hardware such as speaker systems, microphones, menu displays, and payment terminals.

Additionally, the necessary software can make it challenging for small business owners to implement such systems.

However, OrderEm's online drive-through ordering system provides a similar experience without the hassle of installing additional hardware, thanks to its cloud-based operation.

How do you get started with the OrderEm Drive-Through Ordering System?

OrderEm can be your one-stop shop for a robust online ordering system customized for your customers to seamlessly place orders from your website, Facebook page, and mobile app. You can simply visit the OrderEm website, register, and try the demo service for free. 

How does the drive-through service work for the Restaurant Service Staff?

• Receive & Prepare Orders: Upon getting an order, you will get a notification via phone call, text message, or email. You can simply head over to the OrderEm, check for the particular order details and click on the “claim” option to get started with preparing the order.
• Fulfill the Drive-through Order: When the order is prepared and packed for delivery, simply click on the “confirm” option and hand it over to the delivery partner. The OrderEm drive-through service will simultaneously send a notification to the customer that their order is out for delivery. They can collect it from the selected drive-through location. 

How does the drive-through service work for the Delivery Partners?

• Receive & Deliver Orders: Delivery partners can check for new drive-through orders on the DeliverEm app. Alternatively, they will get a sound notification for any new orders. They can simply click on the “assign to me” option on the app and get to the restaurant to pick up the particular order.
• Fulfil the Drive-through Order: After collecting the order from the restaurant the delivery partner must click the "Order picked-up" option and head to the selected drive-through location.
• Complete the Order: For in-person payment orders, simply click on the "Collect Money" option. Otherwise, you can complete the delivery process by clicking on "Delivery Completed" once you have dropped the order at the customer-mentioned Drive-through location. 

How does the drive-through service work for the Customers?

• Place Order: Head over to the MunchEm website or download the MunchEm app from the iOS and Android app store. Search for the location or restaurant of your choice to place an order. You can also place orders directly from OrderEm’s custom restaurant website or app.
• Make Payment: Place an order in advance or order instantly by looking through the menu of your favorite restaurants to deliver to the Drive-through location. Head over to make the payment using the available options. 
• Get Order: Once your order is prepared and out for delivery, you will get a notification. Soon, your order will be delivered to your designated Drive-through location.

Salient Features of OrderEm’s Drive-through Ordering Service

• Customers can easily place orders from the custom restaurant website or via iOS and Android apps. Easy pick-up is authorized by showing the unique Order ID.
• With Orderem, you get additional features like automatic billing for efficiency during peak hours.
• You can keep a record of the delivery metrics with Orderem. This can help you stay informed about the entire delivery process, including when a driver picks up an order, when the order was delivered, and the distance between your restaurant business and the customer.
• Get push notifications whenever a customer places a particular order

Conclusion

Drive-through ordering systems are a unique way to cater to the demands of busy customers while also boosting restaurant efficiency and revenue. By streamlining the ordering process and minimizing wait times, a drive-through can attract more customers and increase customer satisfaction. 

Checkout OrderEm's user-friendly online drive-through ordering system allows you to quickly implement this valuable feature without the need for extensive hardware and take your restaurant business to the next level.