Beer Town SpotOn
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From forced closures at the onset of the pandemic to labor shortages, restaurants have had to overcome one hardship after another. For many restaurants, their saving grace has been loyal customers standing by them. Indeed, new data shows that people are actually tipping 9% more at restaurants, despite inflation.
Goodwill and high tips aren’t enough, though. Restaurants are constantly navigating a minefield of hidden costs that the average person is unaware of. Here are 5 things you can do—without having to spend more than you already are—to help put more money into the pockets of local restaurants (and by extension, our local economy).
1. Order Takeout & Delivery Directly from the Restaurant
Yes, third-party delivery apps on your mobile phone are convenient, but restaurants are the ones left footing the bill. Commissions typically range from 15 – 30% on every order! Instead, order directly from the restaurant’s website. More and more restaurants are using commission-free online ordering technology to provide you better service while also reducing costs. Check out Poseidon Project’s slick online menu, for example, and reward yourself with some tasty takeout pizza.
2. Book Your Table Directly from the Restaurant
Delivery apps aren’t the only culprits that hit restaurants with costly fees. When you book a table from a third-party site, there’s a good chance the restaurant is getting charged for it—as much as a dollar per head. Always be sure to check the restaurant’s website to see their preference for booking reservations or adding yourself to their waitlist. Some restaurants prefer you to call while others, like Viewpoint Brewing in Del Mar, use an online reservation system that’s quick, easy, and cost effective.
3. Sit Back and Enjoy New Technology Experiences
When dining in, you’ll find many restaurants are using technology to help them run at full capacity despite staff shortages. Handheld ordering devices enable servers to cover more tables, while ensuring they get your order correct and get your food and drinks out to you faster. Similarly, QR codes put you in charge of your ordering experience by letting you place your order from your phone, freeing up workers to prepare your food and provide a great experience.
Both options also let you pay at the table with a credit card or mobile payment methods like Apple Pay and Google Pay. To see some of this new technology at work, and enjoy a cold one with fast, friendly service, swing by Beer Town in Oceanside.
4. Write Positive Reviews on Review Sites
The vast majority of people use review sites when looking for someplace new to eat at. Unfortunately, if your favorite local eateries don’t have many reviews—or have a couple of negative reviews—then people will go somewhere else. So, one of the best ways to help local restaurants get discovered is to write a positive review on sites such as Yelp, Google, Facebook, or TripAdvisor.
5. Be Patient and Keep Tipping Well!
If the last couple of years have taught us anything, it’s to cherish experiences with others in our community. So remember to be patient and kind with restaurant staff. Many of them are new to the hospitality industry and almost all of them are overworked due to staff shortages, but they’re showing up to serve you!
Manage a restaurant? Calculate how much new revenue your restaurant can earn with modern tech.
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