An efficient booking process is necessary in an industry where customer satisfaction is crucial. Fortunately, restaurant phones with systems can help.
They can facilitate streamlined call routing capabilities, provide multiple-line support, and enable integration with internal business tools like POS. Additionally, they can offer customizable on-hold music and messaging that reflects the establishment's ambiance, enhancing the caller experience and reservation confirmations and providing valuable marketing opportunities.
No-shows are costly and frustrating for restaurant owners, costing them revenue and potential opportunities to delight guests. But there are a few tactics to help combat them, including automated reservation confirmation emails.
These automated emails can also include a link to cancel their reservation should their plans change, which is a simple way for patrons to let you know that they won't be able to dine in on their original date. This can help minimize revenue loss, optimize seating efficiency, and provide exemplary customer service.
To maximize the impact of these automated email reminders, pair these systems for restaurant phones with an automated call-back offer that allows patrons to skip their virtual queue and be called back by an agent.
During busy times, your restaurant phone system can help free up valuable front-of-house staff's time. A well-implemented phone system can route incoming calls to the appropriate department or employee, thus reducing call waiting times and increasing customer satisfaction.
Many systems also provide internal communication tools for restaurants, such as intercom features and extension-to-extension calling, which can save labor costs by allowing staff to communicate directly rather than leaving the premises to resolve operational issues. Some phone systems also have integration capabilities, enabling a seamless flow of information between reservation platforms, online ordering systems, and other software solutions.
To choose the best phone system for your restaurant:
This can include costs associated with purchasing and installing the hardware, monthly subscription fees, and any add-on features or services you may require.
In today's world of instant gratification, customers are impatient and do not appreciate spending a lot of time on hold. They will think they have been forgotten or disconnected if they are on hold for too long. Silence only confirms their doubts.
Providing on-hold music or messaging lets businesses keep customers' attention while waiting. It can also give them information about a new product or service in addition to answering frequently asked questions.
A professional company using a system for restaurant phones can record a message for you, or you can have your employees do it. However, the music on hold should be chosen carefully. Too much music on hold may irritate the caller, and too little can sound boring. It is best to use a short musical transition between each voiced announcement. The newer cloud-based phone systems that allow for on-hold messaging do not need to play the same music repeatedly, so each time a new announcement is made, it will be accompanied by fresh music.
Call routing is a critical feature that can help you improve your restaurant's customer service. Customers who wait too long to speak with a call agent get frustrated and are likelier to leave a negative review of your business. Call routing can ensure each caller is connected with a representative with the necessary knowledge and skills.
A great call routing strategy is attributes-based, which routes calls based on the characteristics of each customer. For instance, if a caller is calling to inquire about a new product or service, the system can automatically route the call to a relevant agent who can address their inquiry.
Another important restaurant call-routing tool is ring groups, which distribute calls among different devices and departments so each caller can quickly reach the right person. This also reduces wait times and allows employees to focus on more pressing matters without feeling overwhelmed. Lastly, restaurants can use their PBX systems to send text messages to guests for order confirmations, reservation reminders, and other communications.
