While some restaurants have managed to thrive during the pandemic, a large proportion have had time to think about new approaches to their business. Likewise, customers have also used this period to change their expectations. In this short blog, we look at some business-driven and consumer-driven trends we're likely to see in 2022.Ingredients - all change. Rising costs within the supply chain are ... read more
Despite the current anxiety among would-be restaurant diners, their desire to enjoy great hospitality, food and drink in their favourite establishments remains strong. After all, the last two years have seen the erosion of leisure activities so despite their fears customers are still attracted to dining out. What has changed, however, is their understanding of risk and consequently a raising of th... read more
When we set up favouritetable back in 2010 one of our key beliefs was that our new business should be all about restaurateurs. We know that sounds predictable, but it’s true. Each and every day we get to work with the most fantastic customers and feel most at home hearing their stories. Those tales, anecdotes, good news and bad news are vital for us, because - ultimately - they inform our product ... read more
The arrival of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 has hailed a return to stark newspaper headlines and further lows for an already battered hospitality industry trying to recover from previous lockdowns.As consumer confidence dips once again and dining out becomes a feared rather than favoured activity, restaurateurs are set to lose money from cancelled bookings and a lack of seated trade. If that as... read more
Where would the UK be without pubs? They have been the backbone of communities for decades and provide a warm, friendly environment where customers meet friends, chat, sample the beers and socialise in a very laid-back environment. They come in so many shapes and sizes, too, from traditional quirky village inns to modern chains in the centre of town. And that's the charm of pub culture: the sheer ... read more
Having new software is a wonderful feeling, isn't it? Everyone likes to get something new, for the thrill of new possibilities and the sense of progressing as an organisation. But what happens once the novelty has worn off and attentions turn to other things? In this short blog we discuss why restaurant management software is a financial asset needing to generate best value, and how to ensure that... read more
Born between 1997 and 2012, and making up one tenth of the 2020 electorate, it is highly likely that Generation Zs are not just the staff of tomorrow for restaurants, but of today. In this short blog, we explore how traditional inductions aren't suitable for Gen Zs and discuss how effective onboarding can help retain profits.The retention/profit equationLet's get this one out of the way first. Res... read more
It's nearly that time of year again when we start to book festive functions. While customers look forward to their work parties at their favourite eateries, the Christmas period can be very stressful for restaurateurs. Managing time slots and planning menus, dealing with multiple bookings and all the time trying to make profit can seriously take the shine of what should be a pleasant few weeks.In ... read more
Running a restaurant is a hectic, often stressful vocation. Kitchens are hot, dining rooms frantic and the owner has to simultaneously manage the finances, health & safety, procurement and HR together with a host of other operations. It isn’t surprising, then that we often hear restaurateurs say “I just don’t have time for marketing”. In this short blog, we look at five essential marketing areas w... read more
Without a strong brand, your restaurant is just a place where people come to eat and drink. Doesn't sound very exciting, does it? What sets your restaurant apart is your brand: it's what makes your restaurant unique and the vision customers desire. Every restaurant, pub, bar or cafe wants its customers to become advocates, but there is a whole group of individuals in prime position to evangelise y... read more
What makes a great restaurant? It is the best food, drink, ambience and overall experience offered. Unfortunately some restaurants possessing all of these qualities can, in the heat of the moment, forget the basics and sell themselves short of perfection.In this short blog we take a look at some of those areas. Poor serviceDiscerning customers expect a discrete yet attentive professional service c... read more
To restaurant owners and managers, time is money. Every table represents an opportunity to make revenue, so restaurateurs carefully manage their turn-time to ensure tables are always occupied. It is an essential process within restaurants and they’re very good at it although it is just one of many processes they deal with every day.Unfortunately, some businesses can also be very good at creating a... read more
We all know that owning or managing a restaurant, pub or café bar is hard work. Very hard work. It is often frantic, extremely demanding and fast-paced, requiring multiple and often conflicting priorities to be juggled. Customers must be kept happy, staff engaged, inventories monitored, beautiful food created not to mention a plethora of red tape to manage. Once all of that is successfully done, h... read more
Restaurateurs who have been in the business for some time will have seen the arrival of many innovations, not all of which were a roaring success. In what is a uniquely chaotic environment, the idea of implementing software-based technology was often seen as just another fad. Not any more: software used for taking bookings, controlling inventory and scheduling tables has been around for some time,... read more
According to a recent survey by UK POS company Zonal Retail Systems, one in seven customers who made a restaurant booking failed to honour it in the post lock-down period. As we know, restaurants are still in a fragile state following nearly two years of restricted operation and their owners struggling to get back on their feet. Legislation severely reduced venue capacity, leaving spending levels ... read more
Here at favouritetable we like to keep our weekly blogs upbeat and light hearted, because there is plenty to be downbeat about given the last sixteen months or so. Running a restaurant is a difficult profession at the best of times and as huge supporters of restaurateurs we do enjoy bringing our readers useful information, hints and tips together with the occasional conversation piece, as today.Th... read more
Did we ever tell you how we got here? In this week's blog we'd like to tell a story. It all started with an unhappy restaurateurIn 2010, software programmer Jaipal Yadav was enjoying a meal in a restaurant and began chatting with the owner, who explained his booking system. Jaipal was horrified at the amount of money the restaurateur was spending on this system and how much of his profit it eroded... read more
Buying anything new for a restaurant, pub or café bar can be exciting and none more so than a booking, reservation or management system. However, with so much choice available to restaurateurs it can be difficult to decide which one to choose. In this week's blog, we provide six key areas to consider before parting with your cash.Customer retentionThe best restaurant software will not only make yo... read more
Owners and managers of restaurants, pubs and café bars have a lot on their plates these days, juggling the many demands on their time so giving some serious thought to what's on their web pages is something many just don't have time for. Thankfully, online pages across a range of platforms can be created quickly and easily, and with our five tips the job will be a breeze.WordsThey say a picture pa... read more
When we think of resources and costs in our businesses, we usually think of the obvious: software, cash, epos systems, staff, suppliers, inventory, water, gas and advertising to name but a few. All of these things and more play primary roles in determining the efficiency of restaurants, while acting as critical contributing factors to the success of the business.One resource which is often overloo... read more
Owners of restaurants, café bars and pubs usually need to consider marketing at some point, in an attempt to drum up trade. The great news is that you don't need a £multi-million budget to market your business really effectively, but it does need some thought and an understanding of the principles. In this short blog we look at the basics, dispel some urban myths and provide some tips designed to ... read more
It is always essential to retain your best staff, but sometimes the unforeseen happens and we have to re-recruit. Or maybe you are starting a cafe bar, pub or restaurant and hiring for the very first time.Finding the right restaurant manager for your business can be difficult and time consuming, even before the interview stage. The trick is to decide beforehand which key traits you will seek.Get i... read more
Restaurateurs who turn their attention to green issues clearly have a conscience and care deeply about their business's impact on the environment. In addition to feeling good about themselves, green restaurateurs will also experience some real business benefits.Customers will pay extraThere's growing evidence to suggest that today's diners also care about the environment and are more likely to buy... read more
After the year we've had, embarking on the launch of a new a restaurant, cafe bar or pub may seem the least favoured start-up option for entrepreneursHowever, many industry experts predict a bright future for the hospitality sector as pent-up demand among prospective diners gets ready to explode outwards. In many ways the pandemic has been a re-setter of norms, so punters can expect to see a raft ... read more
All being well, Covid restrictions in England will end on 19th July with Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales following suit soon after. Among the recently announced changes affecting restaurants are the scrapping of QR-code sign-in, limits on social contact, the resumption of table and bar service together with no capacity restrictions.We think that's great for the restaurant and hospitality sect... read more
Owning or running a restaurant is a very rewarding vocation during the good times. There's the opportunity for foodies to do what they love: delighting customers with great food and drink, to be part of the local community; to love being hospitable for a living. There's never a dull day in the restaurant sector - it is fast paced, exciting and if it all goes well, lucrative.That backdrop has creat... read more
Want to know what restaurateurs think of favouritetable? Check out our reviews on Capterra, the world's premier software review platform. favouritetable is the leading technology provider for food an drink businesses in the UK. For over a decade, favouritetable has provided world-class and easy-to-use systems to enable restaurants, pubs, bars and other businesses to maximise their revenue.Call u... read more
The previous blog in this series looked at how restaurants can help the planet and their business by evaluating the technology and behavioural changes available across food waste, energy efficiency, water use and by changing menus. In this part of the series we will look at two diverse areas: cleaning materials and the supply chain.Cleaning materialsCleanliness is a prerequisite of customers in th... read more
Having worked with restaurants since 2010, we’ve been behind the scenes of many and seen some wonderful examples of innovation. We're always impressed by the way restaurant owners, managers, chefs and staff continually refresh their service models and menus to deliver a fantastic dining experience. In this short blog, we’re going to give an insight into our own world: software development. Come wi... read more
According to recent research, around 74% of Millennials and 72% of Generation Z consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products and services. That's great for restaurant, pub and café owners looking to attract new customers and minimise the business's impact on the planet.In the first of a number of blogs on sustainability, we look at three areas ripe for improvement: food waste, energy... read more
In an era when social media is king, it would be easy for restaurant, pub and cafe owners to overlook the power of a great website. In truth restaurants probably generate a huge amount of trade from third party booking and referral sites, but the business’s own website will always be its spiritual online home. In a recent survey of consumers, 77% said they would visit a restaurant’s own website wh... read more
For restaurateurs, publicans and cafe-bar owners the internet is a great way to promote their businesses. In fact, the potential for extending their online reach has never been greater but with this comes the potential for negative and very visible reviews. In this short blog we will look at how to placate the disgruntled customer and actually generate more business from the experience.1. Deep div... read more
The scene is set for cafes, restaurants and pubs in the UK. With re-opening target dates tantalising close, food and beverage establishments are looking forward to getting back to doing what they do best. Pent-up demand is likely to see a flood of hungry and thirsty customers at their doors, so business owners just have to open up and cater to the rush, right? Not quite.In what will be a super-com... read more
Restaurants, cafes and pubs look set to reopen for indoor diners in the coming days, so here’s our no-nonsense, quick-fire list of things to check before opening your doors.Latest newsBefore we get onto the checklist, let’s recap the current roadmap for pubs and restaurants across the UK:EnglandPubs with outdoor spaces were allowed to reopen in England on Monday 12 April.Rule of six in placeTable ... read more
If you have ever been to the movies, hired a car, attended a concert or taken a flight, the chances are you paid for the experience online at the time of booking it, or at the very least left a deposit. You did so willingly, to secure something you could look forward to in the future. If you then didn’t turn up for the event, you lost your money and took it on the chin. That's the way the world wo... read more
What is it with acronyms? We're quite fond of them here in the technology world, but we appreciate their meaning isn't always clear to restaurant and pub owners wanting to get on with the day job. So in this blog we are going to de-mystify one particular acronym you might have heard and give an overview of what lays beneath. So if the term “SaaS” makes you think of a crack military team abseiling ... read more
The last year has been tough for the food & drink sector but thankfully things are starting to change. Pubs and restaurants now have a re-opening road map and there is huge pent up demand among the population for getting out and enjoying a meal or drink with friends. However, the past twelve months have seen such unprecedented change that publicans and restaurateurs may now be reviewing their staf... read more
Five Simple Ways to Engage Restaurant GuestsFor years, restaurants and pubs have worn their hearts on their sleeves when it comes to customer engagement, winning and retaining customers by providing fantastic food, drink and a welcoming environment. However, customers are now looking for a two way street in which they can feel connected with their favourite F&B brands.Here are five simple ways re... read more
18 months for the price of 12 Sign-up to a 12 month subscription to favouritetable and we'll give you an extra six months, absolutely free *Set-up fees waived You won't be charged our normal fee for setting up your new systemEasy-switch guarantee We're very experienced in migrating customers from other more expensive systems, so will have you up and running in no time. Restaurants in England will ... read more
The nice thing for owners and managers of restaurants is that they can take whatever approach to technology they please, to suit what they want to achieve. Technology has always innovated in the sector, from the humble abacus through to paper notepads for ordering and early till systems. Today, the pace of change is relentlessly driven by customers' expectations and the drive for greater profitabi... read more
After a very long wait, England is set for the return of customers to restaurants and pubs on April 12th. Granted, things won't be quite the same as before due to the outside-only rule and limits of six people per table, but most F&B businesses are just itching for the big day. Customers have been longing to get back to their favourite establishments, but with so much time at home, have their dema... read more
Times are difficult for restaurants and f&b-oriented businesses right now, with many owners looking for new products, ways of working, services, markets and tools in order to maximise their opportunities. When it comes to technology, there's little doubt that modern systems and customer-centric products are the way to go, but the plethora of apps, booking systems and software on the market can som... read more
In an ever-changing world, norms have changed and new norms have emerged. The way we deal with diners and their expectations are radically different from what we have previously delivered, while we have had to quickly absorb and implement government-measures which appear at odds with running a successful restaurant. You don’t need us to tell you this: times are tough.Happily, there are some positi... read more
With the current Covid-19 restrictions upon us, the coming festive season will go a long way towards providing restaurants with much needed income. It looks like parties will have to be much smaller this year, but that does not mean that guests cannot enjoy the spirit of Christmas in their favourite restaurant. <iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/463540910?title=0&portrait=0&byline=0&... read more
With Covid-19 guidelines changing frequently - and it looks like going into the winter flu season there may be more stringent restrictions coming into force – it is of paramount importance that restaurants be able to easily manage social distancing rules and how they communicate to their guests how they expect them to behave once arriving at the premises and what is in place to make the restaurant... read more
The outbreak of Covid19 worldwide has not only threatened our lives, but it has also changed the way we live. Right from stepping outside the house to ordering food from a restaurant, everything has been changed. The pandemic has impacted almost all the major industries in the world including the food and restaurant industry. People have stopped ordering or eating outside due to the fear of the... read more
We are in 2020 and the outbreak of Covid19 has changed everything, including our lifestyle. Social distancing and home quarantine have become the new normal for people all over the world. All this has forced the countries to change their laws to adapt to the current situation. Coronavirus not only has a deadly effect on our health, but it has also ruined the world economy. Almost all the indust... read more
So, you have now done all the hard work of setting up your restaurant, hiring the staff and the décor looks fantastic. You have also created a website to showcase your awesome menu. But how do you get people to come on your website and then to your restaurant? How can you get connected to the customers who are looking for you? Research shows that 89% of smartphone owners have immediate p... read more
Your customers are a potent marketing vehicle for your restaurant if you can get them to talk about your restaurant to their family and friends. According to Nielson 92% of people trust recommendations from family and friend than any other form of advertising. Since Word of Mouth Marketing (WOMM) is essentially free marketing for you, it is useful to create a strategy as part of your mark... read more
Recent studies revealed that 78% of consumers appreciate management when they respond to their reviews. Other studies suggest 9 out 10 buyers see an online review before making any decision. As per Cone research, 4 out of 5 customers reverse their decision after reading a negative review. In this article, we will talk about why you should respond to reviews? Respond to Positive review In gen... read more
A recent Maru/edr survey, found that 49% of diners will go online before they visit a restaurant. So, what can the restaurant business do to get the attention of around half of their customers who are visiting sites before they have even stepped foot in a restaurant? The two principle reasons for the customers to go online are to check out menus and to book a table – and capturing those re... read more
Running a profitable restaurant takes a lot of hard work. After creating a fantastic product with a lot of thought gone into the recipe and presentation of the food, it is now time to bring your product to the right customers. Reaching the right customers and then persuading them to visit your restaurant again and again, is a growing challenge. With so many choices for the customers, how w... read more
Online reviews are very basic but strategically very important for both sellers and buyers. Generally, sellers look at reviews of the products and services before they make their decision which means reviews have abilities to influence buying behaviours, especially with restaurants. However, reviews are more important for restaurants because if guests are not happy with one thing i.e. service or f... read more
Over the years, 50% of our clients have moved to our booking system from software that they have been using for many years. So, we have developed a process to make the move as smooth and easy for the customers as possible. It just takes 3 steps… We usually have a demo of our software where we answer all your questions. When you are completely convinced that is the right Table Booking Syste... read more
In this article, we will explore why an Online Table Booking Software is essential for any successful restaurant regardless of its size. The system can change the business process and customers’ buying behaviours. There are many reasons to have an Online Table Booking Software here are five of the most important reasons “Why an Online Table Booking Software is essential for your successfu... read more