Toast, Inc. rolled out several key features as part of its Fall 2024 product release in September and October, aiming to streamline restaurant operations, strengthen customer engagement, and improve staff efficiency. These updates demonstrate Toast’s commitment to responding to customer feedback and helping restaurants stay competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Key New Features
- Branded Mobile App: Restaurants can now create custom, branded mobile apps for iOS and Android. This white-labeled solution offers restaurants control over their brand identity with options to customize logos, fonts, and imagery. The app integrates seamlessly with Toast’s online ordering and loyalty programs, driving higher engagement and repeat business. Restaurants like Slim & Husky’s are already using it to enhance their brand presence and encourage customer loyalty through easier mobile reordering.
- SMS Marketing Tool: Toast’s new SMS Marketing tool makes real-time guest communication easy. Restaurants can send promotional campaigns, event invites, or flash deals through automated texts. With this tool integrated into the Toast Marketing Suite, businesses can grow subscriber lists through QR codes and online checkout prompts, making it easier for guests to opt-in for notifications. This feature also leverages AI-powered suggestions for crafting text content, streamlining operations for marketing teams.
- Updated Self-Ordering Kiosks: Enhancements to the self-ordering kiosk interface focus on upselling opportunities and a more intuitive customer experience. These updates aim to drive higher check sizes and improve the loyalty experience through better visual design and clearer navigation.
- Improved Toast Now App: Toast has added more functionality to its Toast Now mobile app, enabling operators to manage restaurant operations on the go. With new check management and detailed reporting features, along with in-app chat support, restaurant managers can keep their operations running smoothly from anywhere.
- Benchmarking and Sustainability Tools: The release also introduces benchmarking tools to help restaurants compare their performance against industry peers. Additionally, new sustainability features enable businesses to support community causes through fundraising initiatives and operational efficiencies.
Why These Updates Matter
In a competitive industry, meeting customers where they are—on their mobile devices—has become crucial for driving loyalty and sales. Features like the branded mobile app and SMS marketing empower restaurants to maintain closer connections with their guests, while operational improvements give staff the tools they need to work more effectively. Toast’s emphasis on sustainability also reflects the growing importance of community engagement and responsible business practices.
With these innovations, Toast aims to provide restaurants with a comprehensive toolkit that balances marketing, operational efficiency, and customer engagement, helping businesses thrive in both the short and long term.
