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Ordering!

Ordering!

Owned by Walker-Sperber, Ian
Last updated: Mar 06, 2025
3 min read

What is online ordering?

Online ordering allows guests to place and customize their orders using their smartphones, web or tablets.

What does online ordering look like?

Customers use the app to browse the menu, customize their order, and pay. They can then choose how to collect their order (in-store, drive-thru, curbside, etc) – that is, different service modes. These are the available service modes for online ordering:

Example pick-up flow:

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Example, Delivery flow:

Table-Service
Guests order directly from their table by scanning a QR code and providing their table number. A team member delivers the food, eliminating the need for guests to visit the counter.

Drive-Thru
Customers place orders via an outdoor menu and speaker, pay at the window, and collect their food without leaving their vehicle.

Pick-up (Click & Collect)
Customers order online and pick up their food at a specified time, taking it with them to enjoy elsewhere, like at home or work.

Curbside Pickup
After ordering through the app, customers park in a designated spot, check in via the app, and an employee brings the food to their car, offering a contactless experience.

Delivery
Customers place orders through the Burger King app or third-party services, and the food is delivered directly to their location, making it ideal for at-home dining.

Why online ordering?

The growth of online ordering is a major opportunity for Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) due to shifting consumer preferences and advancing technology. With a focus on convenience and speed, online ordering is becoming central to the QSR business model. Major competitors like McDonald’s, Starbucks, and Domino’s are experiencing significant increases in digital sales, with McDonald’s reporting nearly 40% of sales from digital channels in key markets. Smaller QSRs are also adopting online platforms to meet customer demand, improve order accuracy, and streamline operations.

In addition to driving sales, online orders provide valuable data on customer preferences and behavior, enabling QSRs to enhance marketing, optimize menus, and refine loyalty programs. Digital orders also often lead to higher average spending, as customers are more likely to explore the menu and add extras. The ease of customization, pre-ordering, and various fulfillment options, including delivery, make online ordering a key strategy for boosting revenue and customer satisfaction in the competitive QSR landscape.

Why do guests choose to use online ordering?

Online ordering provides many advantages:

  • Convenient Ordering: Guests can browse the full menu, select items, and customize their orders directly from the app. This eliminates the need to order at the counter or drive-thru.

  • Order Ahead: You can place your order ahead of time, specifying a pickup time that suits you. This way, your food is prepared and ready when you arrive, helping to skip the line and reduce waiting time.

  • Customization: The app allows detailed customization of menu items, such as adding or removing ingredients, selecting portion sizes, or choosing specific condiments, just as you would when ordering in person.

  • Exclusive Deals: Online ordering offers an opportunity to attract the guests with special offers, discounts, and deals that are only available through the app.

  • Payment Options: Payment can be completed within the app using various methods like credit/debit cards, digital wallets and other local payment methods.

  • Pickup Options: Depending on the restaurant, you can choose how to receive your order—whether by picking it up inside the restaurant, at the drive-thru, or even curbside.

  • Order History and Favorites: The app keeps track of your past orders, making it easy to reorder your favorite meals with just a few taps.

What does online ordering require?

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