8 Proven Tips to Boost Average Check Size for Quick Service Restaurants

Increase your quick service restaurant’s profits by increasing the average check size with an efficient quick service restaurant POS. Implement upselling strategies, optimize your menu, and enhance customer experience to drive sales and encourage repeat visits.

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If you run a quick service restaurant (QSR), you know that increasing your average check size is crucial for boosting profits. The right strategies can turn diners into regular customers who order more. A good quality quick service restaurant pos is your best friend in this mission.

Imagine customers placing orders from anywhere – dining in, online, or via delivery services like Uber Eats or DoorDash.

Using a fast and easy-to-learn interface, you can consolidate these orders on one screen, making it easier for your staff to fulfill them quickly and minimize wait times.

80% of consumers are more likely to buy from brands that provide tailored experiences, according to a recent Epsilon study

With the best QSR POS software, you can create an enticing quick service menu that encourages upsells. Tools like a Kitchen Display System can improve communication and speed up turnover, allowing you to serve more customers efficiently.

In this blog, we’ll share simple tips to help you grow your customer base, increase sales, and keep customers coming back.

Ready to transform your quick service restaurant’s success? Let’s explore effective strategies to increase the average check size for QSR,

Tips to Increase Average Check Size for QSRs

In the quick service restaurant (QSR) industry, the average check size is vital to your overall profitability. A higher average check size means more revenue per customer, allowing you to manage expenses better and improve your profit margins. If you can get customers to spend a little more during each visit, it can significantly boost your bottom line

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1. Leverage a Quick Service POS System

One of the most effective ways to increase your average check size is by implementing a robust quick service point of sale system. This technology streamlines operations and provides valuable insights that help you make better business decisions.

With an efficient Fast Food POS, you can:

Start Consolidating Online Orders on One Single Screen: By integrating with delivery platforms like Uber Eats, Foodora, and DoorDash, you can get orders from Uber Eats, Foodora or DoorDash sent directly to your POS.

This makes it easier for staff to fulfill orders quickly and accurately, minimizing errors and wait times. Through this, customers can order from anywhere.

Analyze Sales Data: A good quick service POS system tracks customer purchasing habits, enabling you to identify trends and tailor your menu accordingly. You can see which items are popular and which aren’t, allowing you to optimize your offerings to encourage upsells.

Looking for effective ways to attract more customers? Check out these creative restaurant marketing strategies

2. Create an Attractive Quick Service Menu

Your quick service restaurant menu should be designed not just to satisfy hunger but to tempt customers into spending more.

Here are a few strategies:

Highlight Combo Deals: Offering combo meals can encourage customers to buy more items at a better value. Use your quick service POS system to track which combinations sell best, and adjust your menu accordingly.
Utilize Seasonal Items: Introduce limited-time offers or seasonal dishes to create urgency. When customers feel they might miss out, they’re more likely to spend extra.
Add High-Margin Items: Identify items on your menu with higher profit margins and promote them actively. This can be anything from specialty drinks to gourmets that complement main dishes.

Taco Bell’s Value Menu Strategy

Taco Bell has effectively promoted value menu items, encouraging customers to try more options.

By highlighting combo meals, Taco Bell has increased its average check size. The quick service POS allows for real-time data analysis, helping them identify which promotions work best.

Try Kitchen Display System

3. Optimize Your Ordering Process

A seamless ordering process can enhance the customer experience and encourage higher spending.

Here are ways to optimize:

Simplify Ordering: Ensure your quick service point of sale interface is user-friendly. The easier it is for customers to place their orders, the more likely they are to add extra items.
Encourage Upselling: Train your staff to suggest additional items when customers are ordering.
Implement a Kitchen Display System: Improve communication with a Kitchen Display System between front-of-house and kitchen staff to ensure that orders are fulfilled quickly and accurately. This can reduce wait times and enhance the overall dining experience.

Want to improve kitchen efficiency? Explore the benefits of kitchen display systems and see how they can transform your restaurant operations

4. Enhance Customer Experience

A positive customer experience encourages repeat visits, which is crucial for increasing the average check size.

Here’s how to enhance that experience:

Speed Up Turnover: Utilize your fast food POS system to minimize wait times. Quick service doesn’t mean compromising quality; efficiency is key.
Engage with Customers: Use SMS and email outreach to keep your customers informed about special offers or new menu items. Engaging customers outside of their visits can remind them to return and spend more.
Reward Loyalty: Implement a loyalty program that encourages repeat visits. Offer points that can be redeemed for discounts attract customers to increase their spending.

Sweetgreen’s Loyalty Program

Sweetgreen, a fast-casual salad chain, utilizes a quick service POS system that supports its loyalty program. By rewarding customers with points for each purchase, Sweetgreen has seen an increase in average check size.

The POS system allows them to easily track customer preferences, enabling targeted promotions that encourage larger orders.

5. Utilize Data Analytics

For restaurant owners with multiple locations, managing operations can be a challenge. However, an effortlessly scalable fast food POS can simplify this process.

Standardize Procedures: Use your quick service POS system to create standardized processes across all locations. This ensures consistency in service, which can enhance the customer experience.
Monitor Performance: Track sales and performance metrics across locations to identify which strategies are working. This data can help you make the right decisions about menu items and pricing.
Centralized Management: A robust fast food POS system allows you to manage inventory, sales, and staffing from one central platform, making it easier to implement successful strategies at all locations.

6. Analyze Customer Feedback

Understanding your customers’ preferences and pain points is crucial for improving your average check size.

Below mentioned are some ways to gather feedback:

Conduct Surveys: Use simple surveys to gather insights about what customers like and what they’d like to see improved. This data can inform your menu changes and promotional strategies.
Monitor Social Media: Keep an eye on what customers are saying about your restaurant online. Engaging with feedback can help you adjust your offerings to better meet their needs.
Encourage Reviews: Positive reviews can attract new customers and also improve profit margins, while constructive feedback can help you make necessary improvements. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews, especially highlighting your best-selling menu items.

Restaurant Online Ordering

7. Track and Adjust

Leveraging data effectively can lead to better business decisions that increase your average check size. Here’s how:

Track Sales Trends: Use your quick service POS system to analyze sales trends over time. This can help you identify peak hours, popular menu items, and seasonal fluctuations, allowing you to adjust your strategy accordingly.
Manage Labor Costs: Efficient labor management can improve your bottom line. Use your POS to schedule staff based on peak times to ensure you have the right number of employees on hand, enhancing service speed.
Optimize Inventory: A good fast food POS system can help you manage inventory effectively. By knowing which items sell quickly and which linger, you can adjust your purchasing and minimize waste.

8. Foster a Strong Team Culture

A motivated and well-trained staff is key to increasing your average check size.

Here are some strategies to build a strong team culture:

Ongoing Training: Regular training sessions can keep your staff informed about new menu items and upselling techniques. A knowledgeable team is better equipped to enhance the customer experience.
Incentivize Performance: Consider implementing incentive programs for staff who excel at upselling or delivering excellent service. This not only motivates your team members but also translates into a higher amount of sales.
Encourage Team Feedback: Your staff can provide valuable insights into customer preferences and operational challenges.

Conclusion

Increasing the average check size in your quick service restaurant is not just about how to cater to more customers; it’s about enhancing the overall customer experience.

By leveraging the right tools, optimizing your menu, and engaging with customers effectively, you can encourage them to spend more while keeping them coming back for more.

With an efficient quick service POS system, you can analyze data, manage operations, and implement effective strategies that boost sales and improve your profit margins. Now is the time to put these tactics into action and watch your restaurant thrive.

For all your quick service restaurant POS needs, Vouch POS can be a perfect fit.

Explore our innovative solutions that streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and ultimately boost your bottom line.

Whether you’re looking for a robust quick service POS system or innovative features to improve the efficiency of your restaurant, Vouch POS has everything you need to take your restaurant to the next level!

Reach us at info@vouchpos.com to schedule a quick personalized call!

by Smit Nebhwani

Smit Nebhwani is a tech entrepreneur with expertise in successfully building SAAS based products. Boasting over a decade of experience in the startup sector, he takes pleasure in sharing valuable insights on all facets of SAAS products. His extensive experience in the digital signage sector has established him as a reputable authority in the industry, and he channels this expertise through some valuable content. In his free time, Smit enjoys music, travelling and spending time with his family.

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