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January presents a fantastic lineup of national food days, giving restaurants a fresh start for marketing creativity. From comforting bowls of soup to indulgent chocolate cake, these celebratory days provide ample opportunities to engage customers with fun, themed promotions, unique menu items, and social media buzz.
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With tools like QR code-accessible Masa+ Online Storefronts, Online Ordering, Loyalty Rewards programs, digital Gift Cards, and Masa+ Fast Pay, restaurants have everything they need to optimize customer engagement and sales with QR code-enabled services.

Here’s how to make the most of each national day this January:

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In today’s fast-paced restaurant industry, owners and operators continually look for ways to simplify operations, attract new customers, and retain loyal ones. Masa+, powered by Aldelo Express, offers a suite of digital features that not only streamline the dining experience but also elevate a restaurant’s reach and revenue potential. With tools like QR code-accessible Masa+ Online Storefronts, Online Ordering, Loyalty Rewards programs, digital Gift Cards, and Masa+ Fast Pay, restaurants have everything they need to optimize customer engagement and sales.

QR Code-Accessible Online Storefronts
With QR code-accessible Masa+ Online Storefronts, restaurants create a seamless gateway for customers to explore menus, place orders, and interact with the brand—all from their mobile devices. A simple scan of a QR code placed on tables, flyers, or menus takes customers directly to the restaurant’s online storefront, where they can browse options and order in seconds. This on-demand accessibility appeals to tech-savvy diners, who appreciate the speed and ease of ordering with minimal wait times.

QR code-accessible Masa+ Online Storefronts also work as a low-cost, high-impact marketing tool. They eliminate the need for printed menus and enhance flexibility, as restaurants can easily update their offerings without reprinting materials. This not only reduces costs but also keeps customers informed of seasonal items, daily specials, and exclusive promotions.

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As the restaurant industry continues to embrace digital solutions, Aldelo Express Restaurant POS is proud to offer email and text-based digital receipts, providing a modern alternative to traditional paper receipts. With this feature, Aldelo Express users can enhance customer convenience, reduce paper waste, and improve operational efficiency. Here’s how digital receipts can benefit your restaurant and elevate the customer experience.

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The holiday season brings crowds of shoppers looking to refuel and relax between visits to stores or browsing online. For restaurants, this busy time presents an opportunity to draw in more customers and boost sales. With the right marketing approach, and modern tools like QR codes, restaurant owners can not only support shoppers but also stand out as a preferred holiday destination, and a welcoming and rewarding restaurant to return to after the holidays are over. Here are some ideas to make the most of this busy holiday season.

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For restaurant owners, managing customer flow and wait times can be a juggling act. Long wait times can lead to frustrated guests, while paper reservation notebooks can cause confusion, missed reservations, or miscommunication. Thankfully, the Aldelo Express Digital Wait List and Reservations module offers a powerful solution to simplify these processes, improving both operational efficiency and customer satisfaction, but reduce associated paper waste and costs as well.

A Digital Solution to the Traditional Wait List
Gone are the days of scribbling down names on paper or manually tracking walk-ins. The Aldelo Express Digital Wait List feature allows host staff to add customers to a digital waitlist using a mobile tablet that can run from anywhere with an internet connection. This system not only helps hosting staff manage busy periods, but provides real-time Wait List updates across all tablet point of sale devices.

Once customers are added to the waitlist, host staff can send guests notifications to customer phones, updating them when their table is ready. This allows customers to comfortably wait nearby, whether it’s in their car, a lobby, at the bar, or in the surrounding area. By eliminating physical reservation alert systems, restaurants also eliminate costs associated with sanitizing, replacing, or repairing “hockey puck” style reservation alert devices.

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In the fast-paced world of food trucks, adapting menus to ingredient availability is essential for keeping customers happy. Let’s imagine “Savory Streets,” a popular food truck that prides itself on serving fresh, seasonal dishes. With a dynamic menu that changes frequently based on what ingredients are available, the Savory Streets team faces the ongoing challenge of updating their point-of-sale (POS) system quickly and efficiently. That’s where the Aldelo Express AI Menu Builder comes in, transforming their operational workflow.

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In the dynamic world of dining, flexibility is key. Whether a group of friends wants to split the bill or customers wish to combine items for efficiency, restaurants benefit from having the right tools to smoothly manage these requests. That’s where Aldelo Express POS’s Split Item and Split Check features come in, designed to adapt to unique customer needs and enhance the dining experience. Let’s explore how these tools empower restaurant staff to handle diverse situations with ease and accuracy.

Why Split and Combine Capabilities Matter
Today’s customers expect customization in all aspects of their dining experience, from menu selections to payment preferences. The ability to split and combine orders is a crucial part of this. Imagine a party of six at a restaurant, where two diners want to share a meal, three want separate checks, and one person wants to pay for everyone’s drinks. Without a flexible split item and split check capabilities, this scenario could become chaotic, leading to delays, frustrated customers, and heightened stress for the staff. Aldelo Express’s Split Item and Split Check features help streamline these complex orders, keeping both guests and staff happy and preventing costly delays.

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As the holiday season approaches, restaurants face a competitive market, especially in takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery services. A smart strategy that can help restaurants stand out is offering meal kits—pre-portioned, ready-to-cook ingredients with easy-to-follow online instructions accessible with a QR code scan. Meal kits not only provide convenience for customers but also offer restaurants a fresh way to boost their business and stand out during the busy holiday period. 

​Here’s how meal kits can give your restaurant the competitive edge:

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Football season brings a unique opportunity for restaurants to attract crowds of enthusiastic fans looking for great food, drinks, and a place to watch the game. Whether it’s college football on Saturday or NFL Sunday games, these events draw loyal customers who love the excitement of game day. To make the most of this high-traffic time, restaurants can implement several strategies to engage their customer base, increase foot traffic, and boost sales during the football season.

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Gift-giving has always been a thoughtful way to show appreciation and celebrate special occasions. Yet finding the perfect gift can sometimes feel like an unending quest. Enter local restaurants and Masa+ Multi-Store Gift Cards. By offering physical and digital gift cards, restaurants satisfy customers searching for convenient gift solutions while promoting the growth of their business to more customers through personal recommendations. Aldelo Express Gift Card QR codes used in advertisements or on signage/menus are an ideal way to market gift cards. Customers simply scan the QR code to purchase, redeem, and reload gift cards.

​Here are a few reasons why Masa+ Multi-Store Gift Cards are quickly becoming the preferred gift card solution for modern restaurant owners with single or multiple locations.

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With the holiday shopping season about to kick into high gear, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday (the Friday, Saturday, and Monday after Thanksgiving) present exciting opportunities for restaurants to attract new patrons and show appreciation to loyal customers. These three days are more than just major shopping events—they’re a chance for your restaurant to stand out, bring in customers looking for great deals, and tap into the community spirit that encourages people to shop local.
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Whether you're looking to boost foot traffic, promote your off-premises services, or increase gift card sales, there are plenty of creative ways to help your restaurant shine. Here are seven marketing ideas to help your business take full advantage of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday and make this holiday season a memorable one for your guests.

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As the holiday season approaches, restaurants are always looking for effective ways to boost revenue and engage with customers. One simple yet powerful tool is the Aldelo Express Masa+ eGift Card solution, which offers the convenience of QR code-based purchase, digital delivery, multi-store redemption, and the ability to be shared via SMS text message. This feature makes it an especially useful option for both gift-givers and restaurants looking to maximize their marketing efforts during the busy holiday period. Here are a few examples that demonstrate the real value of incorporating Masa+ eGift Cards into a holiday marketing strategy.

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​For high-end restaurants, maintaining impeccable service while managing staff efficiency is essential. One innovative solution that can transform fine dining operations is Aldelo Express’s AI Facial Recognition Login. This cutting-edge feature addresses common challenges in restaurant management, enhancing both security and efficiency.

The Challenge: Managing Employee Access and Efficiency
Fine dining restaurants pride themselves on exceptional dining experiences, but during busy service periods, managing employee access to the point of sale (POS) system can be challenging. Traditional clock-in methods, such as PINs, can cause delays during the order taking process or shift changes, resulting in delays that can impact service quality. Moreover, unauthorized access to sensitive information poses security risks, making it imperative for the restaurant to implement a secure access control system.

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As December 2024 approaches, restaurants have a unique opportunity to capitalize on the holiday season with targeted marketing campaigns that highlight festive food and drink offerings. From National Pear Month to National Champagne Day, this time of year provides a perfect backdrop for creating special promotions that attract customers and encourage indulgence. With a little creativity and strategic planning, restaurants can elevate their menus, draw attention to seasonal ingredients, and enhance the overall dining experience. This blog explores various ways restaurants can use these December celebrations to drive traffic, increase sales, and finish the year on a high note.

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Imagine a bustling restaurant on a Saturday afternoon, filled with patrons eager to enjoy their meals al fresco. The atmosphere buzzes with excitement, but the servers face an array of operational challenges that could dampen the experience. Luckily, the restaurant has recently integrated Aldelo Express Mobile POS software, transforming how they manage orders and serve customers.
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As the lunch rush begins, the servers take their positions. Instead of juggling notepads and running back and forth to a stationary POS terminal, they wield Aldelo’s mobile handheld POS devices. This setup allows them to take orders directly at the table, significantly speeding up the order process. With just a few taps on the screen, servers enter the customers’ choices, including modifications and special requests, ensuring that orders are accurate and tailored to individual preferences.

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The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year for restaurants. From family gatherings to corporate parties, the demand for pleasant, festive, and smooth dining experiences soars. Many restaurants take on new employees to accommodate the influx of business. However, this also brings the unique challenge of training holiday hires quickly and effectively. Fortunately, Aldelo Express, a leading cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system, offers an intuitive and user-friendly solution that helps make training processes much easier. With image-based ordering, a user-friendly interface, familiar navigation features, and same-day system onboarding, Aldelo Express can significantly reduce the time and effort it takes to train new staff, enabling staff to focus on delivering exceptional service during the holiday rush.

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The holiday season is one of the busiest and most profitable times of the year for restaurants. However, with increased competition, it's crucial to stand out in the market and attract more customers. Masa+, a powerful online ordering and payments platform powered by Aldelo Express, offers a suite of tools like QR code Loyalty Rewards programs, Gift Cards, and Promo Cards to help restaurants gain an edge over competitors. As a multi-store solution, merchants manage gift, loyalty, and promo card issuance and redemption across multiple store locations. Let’s explore how restaurants can strategically leverage these features to boost holiday sales and customer loyalty.

​1. Engage Customers with QR Code Masa+ Loyalty Rewards
Loyalty rewards programs are a proven way to retain customers and increase repeat visits. With Masa+, restaurants can implement a seamless, QR code-based loyalty rewards program that enhances the customer experience. Here's how:

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In a highly competitive restaurant industry, loyalty rewards programs have become a go-to strategy for restaurants aiming to keep customers engaged and returning. The key to making these programs attractive and effective lies in their convenience. The easier a loyalty rewards program is to engage with, the smaller the barrier to entry, and the more likely guests will return to the restaurant to earn and redeem loyalty rewards. That is why Aldelo Express Cloud POS offers QR codes and Masa+ Promo Cards to enhance and leverage enrollment in a restaurant’s Masa+ Loyalty Rewards Program.
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With the ease and convenience of enrolling, earning, and redeeming Masa+ Loyalty Rewards through a QR code scan, restaurants using Aldelo Express and Masa+ easily enhance their customer engagement, streamline interactions, and overall drive greater loyalty rewards engagement. Let’s explore specifically how these tools can enhance a restaurant’s marketing efforts…

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Restaurant, food truck, and bar owners need reliable tools that enable efficient operations without stretching their budgets. One such tool is Aldelo Express POS, a cloud-based point-of-sale system designed to streamline daily tasks, improve customer experiences, and enhance business performance. One of the most significant advantages of Aldelo Express POS is its flexibility—it allows businesses to use readily available and affordable non-proprietary hardware that can save their operation from loss of time, money, and disruptions to their operation.

Cost-Effective Hardware Solutions
For many small to medium-sized restaurants and food service operations, investing in proprietary hardware can be a financial burden. Proprietary systems often come with high upfront costs and limited hardware options, locking businesses into specific hardware providers and repair services. In contrast, Aldelo Express POS can be installed on non-proprietary hardware such as iPads or Android tablets, giving restaurant owners the freedom to choose readily available and affordable devices that meet their needs.

This hardware flexibility lowers the barrier to entry for smaller establishments, allowing them to invest in a robust POS system without the heavy financial strain. Instead of being forced to buy expensive proprietary terminals, businesses can use widely available hardware that suits their budget.

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​In the modern restaurant industry, many restaurants have already or are looking to expand their services to support dine-in, takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery orders. But while offering multiple service types may increase a restaurant’s profitability, it may challenge its ability to manage multiple order types simultaneously. Expanding traditional sit-down restaurant services to accommodate digital and remote customer demands requires a powerful and flexible point of sale system that can juggle multiple orders but provide a smooth and intuitive experience for restaurant staff. That is why Aldelo Express offers a native Hold and Fire feature. Let’s take a look at its features and benefits for modern restaurants…

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November 2024 is full of opportunities for restaurants to promote their takeout, delivery, and menu options with “national days” ideal for restaurant marketing campaigns. With QR code services, restaurants provide easy and convenient access to online storefronts, loyalty/rewards programs, egift cards, digital menus, and more. QR codes are flexible and versatile, printable on business cards, table tent cards, countertop stickers, lobby floor stickers, printed fliers, and more, making them a great tool for engaging customers with limited-time promotions, loyalty/rewards, or promo cards (smart digital offers).

​Here are several ways, other than Thanksgiving Day, to promote digital and QR code restaurant services and enhance your restaurant menu in November 2024:

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​As the holiday season approaches, Thanksgiving offers an excellent opportunity for restaurants to boost sales and engage customers. While many people associate Thanksgiving with home-cooked meals, there's a growing trend of dining out for special occasions or grabbing seasonal takeout. To tap into this, restaurants can implement strategic marketing ideas that build excitement and attract more guests building up to the festive holiday. By incorporating creative food and drink items, rolling out weekly promotions, and hosting special events, restaurants can capture the attention of diners during the Thanksgiving season and keep them coming back throughout the winter holidays.

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Controlling food costs is a critical factor in maintaining restaurant profitability. One of the most effective ways to manage these costs is through efficient inventory management and close monitoring of menu item prices, adjusting prices to maintain profitability as the cost of ingredients change.

​Let’s take a look at the Aldelo Express Inventory Module and explore how it is designed to help businesses streamline their inventory management, reduce waste, and ultimately lower food costs for their business.

​Understanding the Impact of Food Costs on a Restaurant Business
Food costs are one of the largest expenses for any restaurant or food service business. These costs can quickly spiral out of control due to factors like over-ordering, spoilage, waste, and theft. Without a proper inventory system in place, it becomes difficult to track and manage these expenses, leading to reduced profit margins.