For restaurants of all types, an efficient and pleasant dining experience is key to customer satisfaction and business success. One common challenge for servers is taking and delivering orders for large tables with multiple guests. This can often lead to confusion, wrong orders, and billing errors. Toast has addressed this with its new “Order by Seat” feature, designed to streamline the ordering process and enhance customer experiences.
What is the “Order by Seat” Feature?
Toast’s “Order by Seat” allows servers to take and track orders based on the seat number of each guest at a table. This eliminates the chaos of remembering who ordered what, reducing errors and enhancing the precision of order deliveries. The feature is designed to simplify the dining process, not only for the servers but also for the kitchen and payment settlement at the end of the meal.
How “Order by Seat” Works
When using the “Order by Seat” feature, servers can assign each guest a seat number as they take orders. Each seat’s orders are tracked separately, making it easy for servers to manage and cross-check items before delivering them. This organized approach continues through to the kitchen, where chefs receive a breakdown of orders by seat, helping them prepare and plate meals correctly for a smooth hand-off to servers.
For customers, the benefits are clear: no more awkward pauses while a server tries to remember who ordered which dish, and an easier time when splitting the bill, as each seat’s total can be quickly separated at checkout.
Benefits for Servers
This new functionality empowers servers to provide a higher level of personalized service. When servers know which guest ordered what, they can ensure that each diner receives the correct order without delay. It also streamlines communication with the kitchen, preventing the common mix-ups that occur when orders are taken all at once without any structure.
Simplifying the Payment Process
At the end of the meal, “Order by Seat” simplifies splitting the check. Whether guests prefer to pay individually, by couple, or split the bill in other ways, servers can quickly isolate orders by seat to generate specific checks. This means no more guesswork, item corrections, or extended wait times while sorting through a long list of orders. The ease of this process increases customer satisfaction and speeds up table turnover, leading to more potential revenue for the restaurant.
Enhancing the Kitchen Workflow
The “Order by Seat” feature not only benefits servers and guests but also streamlines kitchen operations. Orders sent to the kitchen display each item by seat number, reducing confusion and making it easier for kitchen staff to prepare meals as intended. This organization helps minimize mistakes, reduces food waste, and ensures that every dish reaches the right guest promptly.
Increased Tips and Better Service
When servers can manage tables more effectively, they often provide better service, which translates into happier customers and potentially higher tips. By reducing order confusion and delays, servers can focus on delivering an exceptional dining experience, leading to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth for the restaurant.
How to Implement “Order by Seat” in Your Restaurant
Adding the “Order by Seat” feature to your Toast POS system is straightforward. It integrates seamlessly with your existing Toast setup, allowing for a quick adjustment to how orders are processed. Training staff is simple, and most servers find the system intuitive and easy to use, helping them deliver a higher level of service right from the start. This small change can have a big impact on overall efficiency, guest satisfaction, and restaurant profitability.
Why This Matters for Your Business
Restaurants are constantly looking for ways to enhance customer experience while improving operational efficiency. Toast’s “Order by Seat” feature addresses both needs effectively. By bringing clarity and structure to the ordering and payment process, restaurants can serve more guests, reduce mistakes, and ensure diners have a positive experience from start to finish.
If your restaurant struggles with managing large groups, has issues with order accuracy, or just wants to provide a more personalized dining experience, Toast’s “Order by Seat” feature is a game-changer. It’s a small upgrade that can make a big difference in daily operations and guest satisfaction.
Ready to simplify your ordering process and enhance your guests’ experience? Contact us today to learn how to integrate Toast’s “Order by Seat” feature into your restaurant’s POS system!
