10 Restaurant Tablet Best Practices

Tablets are becoming increasingly popular in restaurants as a way to improve the customer experience. They offer a number of advantages over traditional menus, including the ability to upsell and cross-sell items, as well as provide customers with more information about the food and drinks on offer.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind when implementing tablets in your restaurant, in order to make sure that they are used effectively and provide the best possible experience for your customers. In this article, we will discuss 10 restaurant tablet best practices that you should keep in mind.

1. Use a tablet stand

Tablets are often used in restaurants for ordering food and drinks, and for paying the bill. However, when tablets are just placed on the table, they can be easily knocked over, or they may get in the way of the waitstaff.

A tablet stand helps to keep the tablet upright and out of the way, so that it can be used more easily and efficiently. Plus, it looks much nicer than a tablet lying flat on the table!

2. Keep your tablets charged

If a customer wants to order another drink or appetizer, they may not want to wait for a server to come back to their table. They may instead decide to go to the bar or lounge area to order from there.

This is where having a fully charged tablet comes in handy. If a customer sees that their favorite restaurant has a tablet available for ordering, they’re more likely to use it. This means less time waiting for a server and more time enjoying their meal.

It’s also important to keep your tablets charged so that you can take advantage of all the features they offer. For example, many restaurants are now using tablets to display their menus. If your tablet is low on battery, you won’t be able to show customers your full menu.

Finally, keeping your tablet charged will help you avoid any potential downtime. If your tablet runs out of battery in the middle of a busy shift, you could lose out on a lot of sales.

3. Make sure the tablet is easy to clean

If a customer sees a dirty tablet, they’re going to assume that the restaurant is not clean. This can lead them to believe that the food is not going to be up to their standards.

On the other hand, if they see a clean tablet, they’re going to have a much better impression of the restaurant. This will give them more confidence in the food and service, and they’re more likely to come back.

So, how do you make sure your tablet is easy to clean?

There are a few things you can do.

First, make sure the case is made of a material that can be easily wiped down. Second, consider using a screen protector. This will help keep the screen clean and free of fingerprints.

Finally, make sure the tablet is stored in a place where it won’t get dirty. For example, don’t put it on the floor or in a place where food or drink could spill on it.

4. Consider using waterproof cases

If you’re using your tablet in a restaurant, there’s a good chance it will come into contact with water at some point. Whether it’s from spills, splashes, or accidental drops into a sink or toilet, water and tablets don’t mix.

Water damage is one of the most common reasons tablets stop working, so it’s important to protect your investment with a waterproof case. There are many different types and styles of waterproof cases available, so you can find one that fits your needs and budget.

While waterproof cases aren’t 100% foolproof, they can significantly reduce the risk of water damage to your tablet. And, if you do happen to have an accident, you’ll be glad you had the extra protection.

5. Don’t use cheap tablets

When you’re using a tablet for your business, it’s important to have a high-quality device that can withstand being used all day, every day. Cheap tablets are more likely to break, which means you’ll have to replace them more often. They also tend to be slower and have lower-quality displays, which can make it difficult for customers to use your restaurant’s tablet-based ordering system.

Instead, invest in high-quality tablets that will last longer and provide a better experience for your customers.

6. Choose a restaurant-specific POS system

A restaurant-specific POS system is designed to meet the unique needs of restaurants, which means it will have features that are tailored to the industry. For example, a good restaurant POS system will have features like table management, so you can keep track of where your guests are sitting, and menu engineering, so you can see which dishes are selling well and which ones need to be tweaked.

Additionally, a restaurant-specific POS system will be more reliable than a generic one, because it’s been tested in a real-world restaurant environment. And if you ever run into any problems, you’ll be able to get help from a support team that understands the ins and outs of the restaurant business.

7. Protect your Wi-Fi connection

If your Wi-Fi connection is unsecured, it’s possible for someone to connect to it without your permission and access sensitive information like credit card numbers and customer data. Even if you have a password for your Wi-Fi network, it’s still possible for someone to hack into it if they know what they’re doing.

To protect your Wi-Fi connection, make sure you’re using a strong password that includes a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. You should also enable encryption on your router so that your data is more secure. Finally, consider using a VPN (virtual private network) to add an extra layer of security.

8. Train your staff on how to use the tablet

If your staff is not properly trained on how to use the tablet, they will not be able to take full advantage of all the features and benefits that the tablet has to offer. This can lead to frustration for both your staff and your customers.

Proper training will ensure that your staff is able to use the tablet to its full potential, which will in turn lead to a better experience for your customers.

9. Put your menu online

When customers can peruse your menu at their leisure, they’re more likely to order items they might not have otherwise. They’re also more likely to take their time and really consider what they want, rather than feeling rushed and making a snap decision.

Plus, having your menu online makes it easy for customers to share with their friends and family, which can help you attract new business.

10. Use your tablet for marketing

When customers are sitting at their table, they have some down time. They’re not focused on eating, so they’re more likely to be open to marketing messages. This is the perfect time to show them your latest specials or promotions.

You can also use your tablet to upsell. For example, if a customer is looking at the menu and sees an item they like, you can suggest they add a side or upgrade to a larger size.

Tablets can also be used to collect customer feedback. You can send customers a survey after their meal, which can help you improve your restaurant.