Resort managers face the constant challenge of delivering exceptional guest service while grappling with staffing shortages. At the same time, they’re always looking for ways to boost revenue, particularly in the lucrative areas of food and beverage (F&B) service across bars, lounges, poolside, and room service.
But when staff is stretched too thin, how do you balance quality service with increased revenue? The answer lies in mobile ordering solutions.
The problem: staffing shortages hindering service and profitability
Picture this: guests are lounging by the pool, relaxing at the bar, or enjoying their room, ready to order a cocktail or meal. But your staff is already tied up—juggling taking orders, processing payments, and delivering items. The outcome? Long wait times, frustrated guests, and lost revenue opportunities.
In an already understaffed environment, the struggle to maintain efficient service can result in missed orders and negatively impact guest satisfaction.
The solution: mobile F&B ordering
Enter mobile F&B ordering, a solution designed to streamline service and increase revenue, even when staff is limited.
With this technology, guests can effortlessly order food and drinks from their smartphones via strategically placed QR codes, whether at a table, poolside, or in their rooms.
This feature reduces staff dependency on taking orders manually and speeds up service while improving the guest experience.
How mobile ordering drives revenue
Mobile ordering boosts revenue through several vital avenues:
- Faster service, more orders: Guests can place orders as soon as they’re ready, eliminating the wait for a server. Faster service translates to higher turnover rates at restaurants and lounges and encourages additional orders or impulse purchases.
- Maximized staff efficiency: By automating the order-taking process, staff can focus on fulfilling orders and providing top-tier service. This is particularly valuable in understaffed environments, allowing teams to handle high demand without compromising quality.
- Increased orders across multiple locations: Mobile ordering enables guests to place orders anywhere on the property, expanding your revenue potential across different F&B outlets, even if no waiters are in that outlet. Whether poolside or in-room, guests can order exactly what they want, when they want it.
- Real-time menu updates & upselling: The ability to update menus in real-time means you can easily highlight specials, seasonal dishes, or high-margin items. Additionally, automatic upselling prompts (e.g., “Add a dessert?”) can increase the average order value.
Why mobile ordering Is a game-changer for understaffed resorts
For resort managers dealing with staffing shortages, mobile ordering offers several key benefits:
- Reduced staff dependency: With guests handling their own orders, staff can concentrate on more valuable tasks like preparing food and enhancing guest interaction.
- Fewer errors, faster service: Manual order-taking can lead to errors, especially during busy times. Mobile ordering eliminates these mistakes, ensuring accuracy and speeding up service, which leads to happier guests.
- Better data & insights: Mobile ordering platforms provide real-time sales data and trends, giving resort managers valuable insights for adjusting menus, staffing, and pricing to maximize revenue.
Real-world success: How Kimpton Vividora increased F&B revenue by implementing Mobile Ordering
Take the Kimpton Vividora 5-star hotel in Barcelona as an example.
Facing staff shortages, they implemented STAY's mobile ordering system to streamline their F&B services. With QR codes placed throughout the hotel, guests could easily order from their smartphones, reducing the need for constant staff presence.
The result? Faster service, fewer errors, and a notable increase in guest satisfaction.
Kimpton’s use of Ordering PRO allowed them to serve guests during off-peak hours without increasing staffing. Orders were sent directly to the kitchen or bar, minimizing human error and ensuring swift service.
This technology also created upselling opportunities, where staff could offer additional items during the ordering process, driving up revenue.
Getting started with Mobile F&B Ordering at your resort
If you’re ready to take the leap into mobile F&B ordering, follow these steps to get started:
- Choose the right platform: Find a solution that integrates with your POS system, offers menu customization, and supports various payment options.
- Train Your Staff: Even with automation, it’s essential to train your team to manage mobile orders efficiently and maintain top-notch service. Go for platforms that offer video tutorials and certifications to ensure a smooth transition.
- Promote to guests: Ensure guests know about mobile ordering by placing QR codes in visible locations and encouraging staff to mention it. Promotion on-site is a must.
- Monitor & optimize: Use the platform’s data to refine your F&B offerings and service continuously.
Conclusion: Mobile Ordering as a revenue booster
Mobile F&B ordering is a powerful tool to help resort managers overcome staffing challenges, boost revenue, and enhance guest satisfaction.
By adopting this technology, you’re not just improving service—you’re future-proofing your resort, ensuring it thrives despite staffing shortages.