When you run a college dining operation, managing different ordering channels and business technologies can take up a great deal of your time. That’s where omnichannel order management systems come in; they provide a central hub that helps you track all orders and build a better student experience.
Modern dining systems can be tech-heavy, often accepting orders via channels including:
- In-person
- Mobile ordering apps
- QR codes
- Online ordering websites
- Self-order kiosks
- Phone
- Social media
Every order that comes in through one of these channels impacts your inventory. Instead of managing individual channels separately, many campus dining operations implement an omnichannel system to collect all the data in one place. This system has a few important benefits.
1. Easier ordering and inventory management
An omnichannel order management system pulls in data from all your ordering channels. In doing so, it eliminates lag time in the reconciliation of order and inventory data. That way, you aren’t caught off guard by a slew of online orders that depletes your stock of a certain item. In a fast-paced college food ordering environment, real-time order syncing is a critical benefit—it enables you to get visibility into current stock levels, manage inventory effectively, and order the right quantity of each ingredient.
2. Efficient operations
Centralizing your order management can reduce inefficiencies in your operations. You don’t need to worry about copying data between systems, which saves time for staff and lowers the risk of error. By improving inventory management, you can reduce food waste and cut costs. Over time, these small changes can add up to a more productive, less expensive operation.
3. Improved decision-making
In the age of technology, campus dining operations must make data-driven decisions to stay competitive. When order details are coming from all directions, it tends to obscure the reality of the business finances, order trends, and sales data. Omnichannel order management consolidates your data and makes it accessible to all stakeholders at any time. Updated information can enable smarter decisions and more sustainable growth.
4. Seamless student experience
Students might have preferred ordering channels, but chances are they use more than one. The same person might order delivery through an app and in-house using a kiosk. Omnichannel systems can bring all that data together, creating an accurate order history and tying it to the specific student.
Why does that matter? When you know exactly what each person is ordering, you can:
- Make better upsell recommendations online, in an app, or on in-store kiosks
- Remember delivery addresses, preferences, and payment methods as applicable
- Track orders easily for loyalty programs and rewards
- Deliver personalized marketing messages across platforms as applicable
5. Increased revenue
The consistent, convenient student ordering experience that’s created by an omnichannel order management system can have far-reaching benefits for your bottom line. When it’s easy to order from your retail location, there’s a better chance students and guests will return. Repeat business is extremely valuable. Returning students tend to spend more money than new customers; they’re also more likely to try new menu items.
Don’t forget to factor in the cost savings—it’s less expensive to retain an existing customer than to recruit a new one.
Improve your omnichannel order management with Grubhub On Site
Omnichannel order management can strengthen your dining program, making it more profitable and resilient in the long run. As you take steps toward a more unified operation, it’s important to integrate technology that supports your goal. Grubhub On Site automatically generates a single source of data for your app, website, and kiosk orders. And because Grubhub is designed to integrate with your POS systems, the flow of information is seamless. To see how this innovative technology can improve your order management strategy, learn about Grubhub On Site today.
