Online Ordering Success

Ben Yehuda Pizzeria in Washington, D.C. may be keeping tradition alive with its kosher specialties, but owner Josh Katz is not afraid to embrace modern innovations, such as online ordering.  We spoke to Josh about the results his small business has had using our Let's Get online ordering solution. 

"Since I bought the business in May, we've really started promoting online ordering and we've doubled our monthly online volume," said Josh. "One thing that really worked for us is that we've set up an Online Pick up area with a special sign and no waiting in line.  Customers come up and ring the bell and we are able to bring them their order immediately, because it's already paid for online.  It's very quick, in and out for the customer."

One of the biggest benefits Josh has seen with online ordering is a reduction of ordering mistakes.  "Recently, a customer complained that they had ordered a plain pizza, but received a veggie," said Josh. "If this was a phone order, we would have had to replace that pizza.  But since it was an online order, we asked them to check their e-mail confirmation. Sure enough, they had actually ordered the veggie.  So instead of us replacing the pizza, the customer was very understanding and actually ordered another, plain pizza."

Another unexpected benefit is a reduction in "no shows." "At the end of the night, we may have a couple of pizzas sitting around that were ordered for pick up but the customer never came to pick them up," said Josh.  "Ordering online eliminates this waste - because the customer pays up front for the order."

"Overall," commented Josh, "Online ordering just makes everything smoother and faster, and it's one less phone call we need to take, which gives my staff more time to focus on the customers who are in the restaurant."

So what should a small restaurant consider when contemplating online ordering?  "It's a no brainer," said Josh.  "Just make sure you have a system that integrates with your point-of-sale software correctly."  Ben Yehuda uses the PC America POS system, which is integrated with GRS's Let's Get Online ordering.  "The cost of online ordering is so minimal - with the time online ordering saves, and even reducing no shows by 2 a month - the ROI is instant."

To learn more about promoting your online ordering, download our free Online Ordering launch guide!