Food and beverage services in hotels form an integral part of the hospitality industry. While seemingly simple to outsiders, F and B provides a complex, multi-tiered system that permeates a range of departments and services; from greeting guests, to taking food orders, processing and delivering them in a timely manner, and managing and settling bills in various hotel settings including restaurants, the lobby, lounge areas, café, bars, casinos, pool sides, and let’s not forget room service.

Running such services on such a large scale not only necessitates a significant number of staff, but requires such staff to be well trained, efficient, and vigilant. But despite operators often succeeding in establishing a streamlined and competent F&B department, there are times when managing a hotels F&B services can be problematic. Workload pressures can be overwhelming, budgeting restrictions can result in the hotel operating with less staff, or the kitchen may simply run out of stock, all of which have a negative impact on service levels and are detrimental to the guest experience.

In an effort to maintain a high level of hotel services with diminished staffing and budgets, the hospitality industry is embracing digital systems to manage services such as Food and Beverage ordering. SABA Hospitality has developed such a tool, offering a new and improved digital Food and Beverage ordering platform which streamlines the ordering process for guests, while providing a user-friendly and cost effective online ordering system for hotels. It will not only fulfill your current business needs, but elevate the guest journey to promote higher levels of guest satisfaction.

Re-envisioning room service, redefining F&B ordering system

In line with the digitization of many hotel services, room service offerings have also become automated, with digital room service ordering strongly aligning with the wants and needs of the modern guest. Even organizations and industries which have traditionally been hesitant to digitize their customer facing operations, have adopted new contactless, digital services as a means to counter the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. In alignment with the core principles and benefits of contactless technology, the new and improved digital Food and Beverage ordering system by SABA Hospitality not only offers safer means to access room service, but is more convenient, quicker and more efficient than traditional room service ordering. Recognizing the benefits of digital room service has accelerated the uptake of such platforms by hoteliers globally, with many now being completely reliant on digital platforms to fulfill the room service requirements of their guests.

QR code ordering

If the Covid-19 Pandemic accelerated innovation in food and beverage ordering, the rise in popularity of the QR code made accessing menus a simple scan away. QR code ordering provides one of the latest, and most efficient ordering systems available today. Without having to download any 3^rd party application, ordering via QR codes is a simple 2-step process. The guest scans the QR code on their smart phone or in-room tablet, and then selects items from the menu, and viola! The order is placed. Digital hotel menus are available in the form of interactive apps that are very easy to use and efficient.

Features and benefits of the new and improved digital F and B ordering system

1. Customized according to specific needs & easily incorporated into your system

Digital F&B ordering systems in the form of a website, progressive web application, or customized app can be integrated into your hotel’s system easily and quickly.

2. Fast, effortless and proficient

Digital room service ordering makes the food ordering process faster and more efficient, removing the need to call reception or the guest service center to place an order. Additionally, it allows operators to track orders, from the time they are placed, until delivery to the guest.

3. Manage peak-time orders

One of the most challenging parts of running F&B services is managing peak –time orders accurately and efficiently. Peak times are when things often go wrong in the food and beverage department, with high order volumes, no additional staff, and a kitchen attempting to prepare food for various areas of the hotel. Digital food ordering systems can help remove the burden from staff, eliminating time consuming phone conversations and allowing guests to order everything via their mobile devices. Guests can use these apps to specify the tiniest details of each and every order, allowing the kitchen to focus on the food while the app takes care of the rest!

4. Contactless ordering

Hotels around the globe are increasingly switching to Contactless ordering via digital menus. It is one of most in-demand pieces of technology within the hotel industry as it provides a hassle free food ordering solution for both guests and hotel operators alike. However, contactless ordering isn’t simply a preference of many hotel guests, but a requirement for numerous hotel operators as they look to navigate the legal and commercial requirements stemming from the Corona virus pandemic.

5. Ease and convenience

Applications devised for digital ordering are easy to use, and like any other app, are designed specifically for use on one’s smart phone or tablet.

6. Insight into popular/ on demand orders

While digital ordering certainly benefits guests and meets their current expectations of a seamless, contactless experience, digital solutions also have numerous benefits for hoteliers. Being an automated system, records on the most popular orders, and peak ordering times, are easily accessible. Give your kitchen and management staff real time data on their guest’s desires and which items provide the highest level of profitability.

7. Reduce the challenges of traditional ordering systems

The system is entirely automated and digital; saving the staff and customer from the hassle of going through endless procedures of swiping cards and signing receipts. Additionally, human error is minimized, and menus can be changed and updated instantly, without incurring any printing costs.

8. Proven to add to revenue

While digital ordering platforms are quick, efficient and easy to use, they are also very visual, and offer food and beverage departments the opportunity to build in effective upsell mechanics. As such, the average order value can be 10 – 20% higher per guest.

At SABA Hospitality we will devise a digital Food and Beverage ordering system that will fit seamlessly into your current operations and fit the current needs and wants of your guests. With a quick and cost effective deployment process, benefits to your workflow, your hotel services and your bottom line, will be felt almost immediately.