Apps and ordering systems to tackle table service

Just like that, it’s time for another edition of our review series – and this week we’re turning our attention to apps and ordering systems to help you tackle table service. 

Since the beginning of the Coronavirus outbreak, the hospitality sector has been forced to look increasingly to technology to navigate the crisis, and if the 10pm curfew wasn’t damaging enough, pubs and restaurants can no longer serve customers at the bar. For many, this is unfamiliar territory and a brand new challenge – but luckily for you, we know a thing or two about apps.

OrderPay

Promising to provide ‘seamless service everywhere’, OrderPay is the number one table ordering app, and we can see why. With a myriad of features from table service and bill splitting to loyalty and gifting – their offering is the definition of all encompassing.

👍 

• Fully customizable to meet brand requirements, including impressive technology that ‘reskins’ the app to take on your branding when a customer enters your venue
• A ‘lighter’ version of the app for leased, tenanted and independent operators
• Analytics, customers insights and targeted upsell – including scheduled or conditional messages when a customer is on premise 
• Loads of what we would call bonus features like gifting, feedback and tipping

👎 

• If you’re not particularly tech savvy or just looking for something that does what it says on the tin, OrderPay’s never-ending list of features may be slightly overwhelming 
• The ‘sign-up’ button actually takes you to a contact page which we find off putting – there’s also very little upfront information regarding pricing

💰

No monthly fees, just a 1.95% transaction fee that covers all payment charges. 

Would we recommend it? ✔️ OrderPay has a huge amount to offer and it seems like it’s awesome value for money. It’s a thumbs up from us. 

app2table 

App2table seems pretty easy to set up for both business and customers. You can join businesses on the generic app2table app or they provide your very own branded app with white-label options.

👍

• Cost effective digital menu
• Payment provided inside or outside of the app 
• Order status updates 
• Easy to register and get started

👎 

• It’s great that these guys are offering white-label but their offering feels like it’s at opposite ends of the scale. We’d like a midpoint whereby venues can customize to meet their branding without having to fork out £500.

💰

With prices starting from £95+Vat along with a commission rate of 1% per order and card handling charges from 1.4%+20p per transaction, who knows what you’ll end up paying.

Would we recommend it?❌

Swifty

Swifty is a Heineken owned product and the new kid on the table ordering block. They claim to empower ‘trade operators to connect better with their customers through human led technology and navigate the new normal post-lockdown’, but we’re not entirely sure what that actually means in terms of what you get for your money.

👍

• Simple ordering functionality 
• Bespoke loyalty campaigns to drive repeat visits
• Customer insights designed to increased revenue

👎 

• Swifty’s website was somewhat underwhelming and their offering feels limited compared to the rest of the market.

💰

Swifty are currently offering four months free for all Heineken UK customers. If not, prices start at £24 for the cheapest of three available packages, and skyrockets to £189 if you want access to all features. All packages also come with a £49 onboarding fee.

Would we recommend it? ✔️No major red flags and pretty straightforward, but we do think you could get more for your money elsewhere.

Yoello

Yeollo offers mobile ordering solutions to businesses who can incorporate table ordering, click & collect or delivery services, all through a single platform. Unlike the others, there’s no need to download an app, and this can be done on any smartphone via any internet browser.

👍

• POS integration 
• Customizable profile
• Reporting tools and customer data to drive sales 
• Yeollo are one of the only platforms to offer Covid specific support such as a reopening guide and a test and trace tool, before the introduction of the NHS app

👎 

• Yeollo seems to have a fairly  robust offering, but once again it doesn’t feel easy to get to grips with if you’re not particularly tech savvy 
• We also have a serious chip on our shoulder about having to get in contact to sign up

💰

Yeollo is currently free for 3 months or £449 per year.

Would we recommend it?✔️

Enjoyed this review? Find the rest of the series, here.

Emily Attwood

Emily Attwood is a limber content creator and social media manager, also studying English Literature. Between that, you might find her writing for news site, 'The Tab', or taking on powerful thought pieces for 'Culcher Magazine'. She's an upcoming writer, ready to make waves and certainly one to watch.