As the restaurant industry continues to feel the impact of the coronavirus outbreak, the mobile app is an especially powerful tool in the effort to build your restaurant brand and a surefire way to put customers on a path to brand allegiance. As more restaurants close their dining rooms and move to delivery-only models, the question for many restaurant owners is not whether the various features of the app provide value, but rather how to maximize them; how to get customers to download the app in the first place, how to engage initially and how to drive business through the app on an ongoing basis.

We have found the most common reason for abandonment is consumers faced with too many choices. If it is clear what the "right" answer is -- even when you still give those willing to look elsewhere another choice -- they are more able to get to the end. Sometimes that means more screens, each with a single step, but that old adage of fewer screens no longer is the magic to conversion.

Technology provides us with endless possibilities. Our lives are inextricably attached to a digital world where every desire can be managed, motivated and ordered.

The restaurant industry was very late to the e-commerce party and has been making up for lost time in the last two years. That said, there is still a lack of understanding of achieving the balance of data with creating warmth and maintaining a brand attachment. The pendulum has swung to always giving offers, when in fact convenience features provide a stickier experience. The industry is just starting to understand this, and the next two years will see a big shift to both a profit consideration and a concern for maintaining engagement among the most valuable customers

So often marketers look to rebrand and count on the future benefits but forget about how to best "bring along" the positive benefits and evangelists of the past. While these numbers may not be large, not incorporating these past positives can take on a very negative tone amid all the positive excitement. Inviting participation and giving an early preview are two easy ways to keep the positive momentum of the new brand experience.

Tillster, a global leader in digital ordering and engagement solutions for restaurants, published the results from its 2019 Online and Mobile Ordering Index. The Index examines the digital ordering strategies best serving restaurants as they grow sales and engage with customers.

Tillster, the global leader in digital ordering and engagement solutions for restaurants, today publishes the results from its 2019 Online and Mobile Ordering Index. The Index examines the digital ordering strategies best serving restaurants as they grow sales and engage with customers.

And an interesting figure, especially for casual-dining brands that guard their value proposition and struggle with passing along delivery costs to consumers, 85 percent of guests said they weren’t willing to pay more than $5 for restaurant delivery, according to a survey of 2,000 fast-food and fast-casual customers conducted by online ordering platform Tillster.

The best of the best in technology workplaces and managers will soon be revealed, but for now, meet the best: our 2019 Timmy Award finalists in 10 regions across North America. Tech in Motion will host The Timmy Awards ceremonies this October across the US and Canada, at which the final winners will be announced live. The coveted Timmy Award will be reserved for companies and individuals who make the cut in proving to be the best and most inclusive work places in their region. In the meantime, we couldn't be more proud to share the 2019 finalists for all of our Best in Tech awards!

Delivery is a must for today's restaurant. Fewer people than ever opt to sit down and eat at restaurants, and according to Tillster's 2019 Delivery Index, more than half of QSR and fast casual customers would order more often from a restaurant if delivery was offered. In short, delivery is a sales driver. However, given the myriad of choices, including third-party partners, like GrubHub and Postmates, "last mile" delivery options, and pure restaurant-run delivery programs, navigating the delivery market can be confusing for consumers and restaurants alike. 

New research from Tillster shows that 25% of restaurant customers have used a self-ordering kiosk at a restaurant within the past three months—up 7% year-over-year. Further, more than 65% of customers said they would visit a restaurant more often if self-service kiosks were offered, and 30% of customers prefer to order from a kiosk versus a cashier if the lines were of equal length.

"If you ensure delivery in your own app, you can control the relationship with your customer. You're never going to eliminate the aggregator, but you can take a bigger wallet share and, even bigger, own the data." says Hope Neiman, Chief marketing officer at Tillster.

Tillster, the global leader in digital ordering and engagement solutions for restaurants, is releasing its 2019 Self-Service Kiosk Index, showcasing major growth in self-service offerings from Quick Service and Fast Casual restaurants, and shifting consumer trends towards kiosks and self-service technology.

Dining is an intensely personal experience. We are loyal to the restaurants and orders we love. Our Instagram and Facebook feeds are filled with the meals we eat and the friends with whom we share our meals. We are in some part defined by what we eat, where and with whom; and whether we realize it or not we personalize our mealtimes to reflect our habits and our lives.

For QSRs around the world, the new normal in digital experiences is dictated by Silicon Valley. Thanks to the "everything is deliverable" model of Amazon, and the "everyone is a delivery driver" model at Uber Eats and other third-party delivery providers. In fact, consumers now "expect" restaurants to offer delivery, and for that delivery to feel integrated into the brand's operations. 

According to the National Restaurant Association, the restaurant industry generates more than $800 billion in annual worldwide revenue. And restaurants today are driving serious growth by leveraging technology. The battle to earn a greater share of consumer dollars is more competitive than ever; and there is more pressure on restaurants to keep up with the evolving technology of food service. 

It’s a simple fact: Consumers have no shortage of options when it comes to choosing a restaurant. For those of us growing our brand, we are tasked with cutting through a crowded marketplace to keep guests coming back. As the restaurant industry and marketing landscape have evolved, the most successful brands have learned an important lesson: the digital era is here for every restaurant that wants to remain competitive, and our data is vitally important to driving customers to visit and return. 

As part of its third-annual Delivery Index, digital ordering solutions firm Tillster surveyed 2,000 quick-service and fast-casual restaurant customers to learn more about their delivery preferences and habits. It’s likely no surprise that customers indicated they’d order from their favorite QSR and fast-casual restaurants if more brands offered delivery.

Consumers expect to order books, toys, shoes and anything else they want online and have it show up at their doors quickly and inexpensively. Restaurants and grocers are rushing to satisfy the exact same demand. They’re having a hard time. A hungry customer in Denver might order a $9.99 Cuban sandwich from Panera Bread Co., which can arrive at her door in about 30 minutes.

Tillster, the global leader in digital ordering and engagement solutions for restaurants, released its third annual Delivery Index, revealing how Quick Service (QSR) and Fast Casual restaurants can use delivery to drive orders and build customer loyalty.