216 Views | 8min | Published On: May 31, 2024Last Updated: June 3, 2024
What would make your restaurant app unique? – undoubtedly, amazing features that simplify and enhance everyone’s experience, right?
Starting with a restaurant application can be daunting, especially when choosing restaurant app features that streamline operations. However, no worries, we’re here to help!
Today’s guide will help you navigate the top features you should consider incorporating in your restaurant application. We’ll cover restaurant app features for the admin panel, restaurant owner panel, and users panel. Let’s dive into this detailed and interesting guide.
Before we get started, let's take a look at the restaurant market overview:
Must-Have Features to Incorporate into Your Restaurant Application
Following, we’ve discussed essential features you must incorporate in your restaurant app development. We have divided it into 3 segments – features for the admin panel, features for the restaurant owners panel, and features for user’s panel. Let check:
Features for Admin
It is crucial to build robust admin features when developing a restaurant application to ensure effective management. Below we’ve discussed must-have features for admin in detail:
1. Dashboard
This feature is essential for admins to operate their business effectively.
Overview Metrics
Display metrics such as the number of orders, total sales, active users, and trends.
Action Buttons
Quick buttons for tasks such as managing orders, listing new items, and updating menus.
Notifications
Important updates such as low inventory, new orders, and payment concerns.
Order Status
Real-time updates on the status of current orders.
2. Reports & Analytics
The reports & analytics feature allows the admin to monitor an extensive database.
Order Analytics
Detailed insights into order patterns, order peak times, and popular order items.
Sales Report
Comprehensive reports on daily/weekly/monthly/yearly sales.
Inventory Report
Details on inventory, restocking, and wastage stock.
Financial Report
Insights on revenue, profit margins, and expenses.
Customer Analytics
Details on customer purchasing behavior, demographics, and feedback.
3. Payment Settings
Integrating payment settings is important to understand the customer and their purchasing behavior.
Payment Gateway Integration
Integrate multiple payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and other banking solutions.
Payment Methods
Provide options for Cash on Delivery (COD), credit/debit cards, and digital wallets.
Transaction History
Detailed data and records of all transactions, including refunds, payments, and failed payment attempts.
Security Settings
Features like encryption, fraud detection, and PCI compliance.
4. Site Settings
This restaurant admin software feature lets you customize the overall appearance and information needed for your application.
Localization
Support for multiple languages and currencies
Theme Customization
Customize the site's look and feel
User Roles & Permissions
Create and manage multiple user roles, such as administrator, manager, and staff, each with varying access levels.
General Settings
Configuration options for the site name, logo, contact details, and hours of operation.
5. Category Management
Manage product categories or qualities in any quantity or range is also a crucial feature to consider:
Category Creation
Use a straightforward UI to create and manage food categories and subcategories.
Category Descriptions
Add detailed descriptions and images to each category.
Reordering
Drag-and-drop functionality to reorder categories for better visibility.
Status Management
Option to activate/deactivate categories as needed.
6. Add & Manage New Restaurant
You must also manage the data and incorporate information about new establishments with this restaurant app feature.
Restaurant Onboarding
Add new restaurants, including profile setup, uploading documents, etc.
Operational Hours
Setting up working hours for the restaurant.
Menu Management
Tools for creating and editing menus and adding prices, photos, and descriptions.
Commission Settings
Establish the terms of payment and commission rates for new eateries.
7. Delivery Tracking
This feature allow admins to track delivery partner at any point. Also, they can instruct them with road closures, diverted roads, or other related concerns.
Real-time Tracking
GPS-based tracking of delivery drivers and estimated delivery times for customers.
Driver Management
Assigning orders to delivery drivers and tracking their performance.
Order Status
To notify customers about order status changes (e.g., confirmed, prepared, out for delivery).
Route Optimization
Automated suggestions for the best routes to minimize delivery time.
8. Customer Management
The customer management feature allows customers to easily sign in, input account details, and much more.
User Profile
Detailed profiles including order history, preferences, and feedback.
Support Tickets
System for managing customer complaints and support requests.
Loyalty Programs
Management of loyalty points, rewards, and special offers for repeat customers.
Communication Tools
Email and SMS notifications for order confirmations, promotions, and feedback requests.
9. Delivery Zone Settings
With this feature, deliveries are assigned to delivery partners based on location. It helps to ensure faster deliveries to boost your restaurant app's success.
Zone Creation
Tools to define delivery zones using maps and postal codes.
Geofencing
Ensuring orders are only accepted from within the defined delivery zones.
Zone-based Charges
Setting different delivery charges and minimum order values for different zones.
Coverage Analysis
Insights into which areas have the highest delivery demand and potential expansion opportunities.
Features for Restaurant Owners
Following, we've discussed features for restaurant owners that you must consider to integrate into your restaurant application. Let's learn:
10. Staff Management
It is an important feature for staff to streamline their processes in an efficient manner. It also helps to track employee’s performance and work efficiency.
Employees Profile
Detailed profiles with personal information, contact details, roles, and permissions.
Payroll Management
Integration with payroll systems to manage salaries, wages, and benefits.
Attendance Tracking
System to monitor and record employees attendance and work hours.
Performance Reports
Analytics on staff performance, including customer feedback, order handling times, and productivity.
11. Kitchen Management
This feature assists in maintaining proper work coordination between chefs and waiters. It helps to eliminate any miscommunication and enhance productivity to prepare orders on time.
Order Queue Management
Real-time order tracking and prioritization for the kitchen staff.
Recipe Management
Database for storing recipes with ingredient lists, preparation steps, and portion sizes.
Inventory Management
Tools to track ingredient usage, stock levels, and reorder needs.
Kitchen Display System (KDS)
Digital screens to display orders in the kitchen, reducing paper tickets and streamlining workflow.
12. Social Media Integration
It is a must-have feature to integrate into your restaurant application. This feature helps to attract customers to your restaurant app and leverage certain benefits. The social media feature will keep your customers updated with the latest information related to new recipes, location, and other aspects.
Social Media Accounts
Integration with major social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Customer Engagement
Features to respond to comments, messages, and reviews directly from the app.
Analytics
Insights into social media performance, engagement metrics, and audience demographics.
Content Scheduling
Tools to schedule and post updates, promotions, and events.
Promotion Management
Tools to create and manage social media campaigns and track their effectiveness.
13. Personalization
With this function, the app monitors, evaluates, and makes recommendations for pertinent goods and services based on the user's actions and behavior. This restaurant app feature facilitates communication and relationship-building with the clients.
Customer Preferences
Record and analyze customer preferences and past orders to provide personalized recommendations.
Birthday/Anniversary Notifications
Automated reminders and special offers for customer birthdays and anniversaries.
Custom Offers
Personalized deals and promotions based on customer behavior and preferences.
14. Restaurant Reviews
A outstanding user review will set your restaurant app apart from the competitors and make a good first impression on prospective clients.
Review Collection
Tools to solicit and collect reviews from customers post-visit or post-delivery.
Review Management
System to monitor, respond to, and manage reviews on various platforms.
Analytics
Analysis of review data to identify trends, strengths, and areas for improvement.
Display Reviews
Option to display positive reviews on the restaurant's website and app.
15. Order Management
This feature allows to have access and control over the amount of orders, accepting or rejecting orders, progress updates, food preparation status, and delivery completeness.
Order Tracking
Real-time tracking of orders from placement to delivery or pick-up.
Order History
Access to past orders for both customers and restaurant staff.
Notification System
Automated notifications for order confirmations, updates, and delivery statuses.
Payment Processing
Secure and efficient payment processing for online and in-store orders.
16. Menu Management
This feature allows restaurant application to manage menu that can accessed by the staff and other restaurant personals.
Menu Creation
Tools to create and organize menus, including categories, items, and descriptions.
Customization Options
Allow customers to customize orders based on preferences and dietary restrictions.
Digital Menus
Option to create digital menus that can be updated in real-time and viewed on the app or website.
Pricing & Availability
Manage prices and availability of items easily, with real-time updates.
Features for Users
Of course, you cannot miss essential restaurant app features for user panel to enhance your user-friendly restaurant application. Here’s a detailed list of must-have features for users:
17. Push Notifications
This feature allows customers to stay updated regarding latest announcements, promotions or discounts, and other important information regarding restaurant.
Order Updates
Notifications for order confirmations, preparation status, out-for-delivery alerts, and completion.
Event Announcements
Updates about special events, new menu items, or restaurant openings.
Personalized Announcements
Notifications based on user preferences and past order history.
Promotion & Discounts
Alerts about ongoing promotions, discounts, and special offers.
Loyalty Program Updates
Alerts about loyalty points balance, rewards earned, and expiring points.
18. In-app Online Ordering
This restaurant app feature allows easy navigation for customers to make order online on the application. It should be simple and easy to browse without any complications.
Menu Browsing
Easy-to-navigate menu with categories, item descriptions, images, and prices.
Order Review
Summary of the order with the ability to review and edit before finalizing.
Customization
Options to customize orders with special instructions, ingredient choices, and portion sizes.
Order Tracking
Real-time tracking of order status from preparation to delivery.
Payment Integration
Seamless integration with various payment methods for quick checkout.
19. Mobile Payment
This is the most crucial feature that allows customers to easily and securely pay for their orders online. Make sure to build a robust payment system that strengthen trust and transparency between both the parties.
Mobile Payment Options
Support for debit/credit cards, digital wallets ((e.g., Apple Pay, Google Wallet), and other online payment methods.
Secure Transactions
Encryption and secure processing to protect user payment information.
Receipts Generation
Automating generating receipts and sending them after payment
Refund Processing
Easy and quick processing of refunds directly through the app.
Saved Payment Methods
Option to save payment details for faster future transactions.
20. Loyalty, Rewards & Discount Programs
Restaurant must integrate loyalty, rewards, or discounts program to attract customers to their restaurant application and order their favorite meals at discounted prices. It restaurant app feature helps to keep their customers for longer time at their application.
Loyalty Points
Earn points for each purchase that can be redeemed for discounts or free items.
Reward Tracking
Track earned and redeemed points, and available rewards.
Referral Bonuses
Rewards for referring friends and family to the app.
Exclusive Offers
Special deals and discounts for loyalty program members.
21. Chatbots
This is the most crucial feature in the restaurant application that allows customers to get in touch with customer support whenever they have any issues or concerns.
24/7 Customer Support
Automated chat support to assist customers with all kinds of concerns or queries.
Order Assistance
Help users with order placement, customization, and payment issues.
Help Reservation
Assist customers with table reservations and provide availability information.
Personalized Recommendation
Suggest menu items and offers based on user preferences.
22. Customer Feedback Portal
This feature allows customers to share their views regarding food, restaurant, and their other services. It allows customers to freely share their opinions or experience.
Feedback Forms
Structured forms to collect detailed feedback on various aspects of the service.
Review Submission
Easy submission of reviews and ratings for orders and dining experiences.
Response Tracking
Monitor the status of feedback and any responses from the restaurant.
Public Reviews
Display selected reviews on the app for other users to read.
Public Reviews
Display selected reviews on the app for other users to read.
Anonymous Reviews
Option to submit feedback anonymously.
23. Table Reservation
Your restaurant app needs to offer a table reservation option in order to make things convenient for consumers. Customers will benefit from time savings and be able to pick up at a time that works for them.
Real-time Availability
Check real-time table availability and make reservations.
Booking Confirmation
Immediate confirmation of reservations with booking details.
Reservation History
Track past reservations and make repeat bookings easily.
Special Requests
Option to add special requests for the table reservation (e.g., window seat, high chair).
Cancellation & Modification
Ability to cancel or modify reservations directly through the app.
How Much Does it Cost to Build a Restaurant Mobile Application?
The price to develop a restaurant's mobile application depends on several factors. It addresses the tech stack, UI/UX design, project complexity, and an array of other aspects
However, the estimated cost of creating a restaurant's mobile app will range from $25,000 to $60,000. Adding complex functionality to your restaurant application may cost you as much as $80,000 or above.
Note: If you are looking for an affordable restaurant app features development process, the only method to choose is the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) approach.
Here, your program's development will incorporate just the necessary consumer features. As soon as your restaurant app is developed, release it onto the market. After launch, you will be able to understand and learn some of the essential information needed to improve your restaurant application.
After testing your app against those of the competition, you may proceed with its full development by seeking funding from investors and building an advanced restaurant app with state-of-the-art features and functionalities.
How Apptunix Will Help You to Build Restaurant App With Top-Notch Features?
Apptunix, one of the top restaurant app development company, specialized in making one-of-a-kind restaurant apps that satisfy your specific company needs. We offer an easy-to-use mobile ordering interface, robust reward programs, real-time updates, and intelligent reservation management.
Apptunix's comprehensive analytics, cross-platform compatibility, and ongoing support ensure that your app will always be state-of-the-art and highly functional. Developing for iOS, Android, and cross-platform, We help to build top-notch restaurant apps that enhance customer experience and streamline operations.
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Introducing Nalini, our tech-savvy content expert with 7+ years of experience in technical content writing. With a knack for making complex ideas simple, she turns intricate tech concepts into engaging reads. Whether you’re delving into mobile app development, AI, or blockchain, she is your go-to technical expert. Beyond the tech world, you’ll find her immersed in Anime, exploring mobile trends, or enjoying badminton and Foosball.
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