The most significant revolution in the food industry is the advent of download free online food delivery system. These online ordering platforms make dining more convenient and give the best level of accessibility to users. The convenience of ordering your favorite meals from the comfort of your home or workplace has made these platforms immensely popular.
Online food delivery systems have changed the restaurant industry, with the global market projected to reach 1.85tn in 2029. These platforms are a game-changer for food businesses.
If you want to keep your restaurant up and make more profit, opt for food delivery software. In this blog, we will explore the complete details of the free online food delivery system, from its benefits to the expert tips that help you pick the right one.
So, let’s get started.
What is a Free Online Food Ordering System?
A free online food delivery system is a software that allows restaurants to set up and manage online food orders without having to pay upfront or ongoing fees. This could be in the form of:
Open-Source Software: Some online food delivery systems are open-source. Their code is freely available, and restaurants can download, install, and customize it without paying a licensing fee. However, they may still incur costs for hosting, setup, or customization.
Examples of open-source systems include platforms like GloriaFood (with limited free features) and Square (which charges for premium features).
Freemium Models: Certain providers offer a free basic version of their software but charge for advanced features. For example, a restaurant may be able to take orders online for free but might have to pay for features like inventory management, marketing tools, or integration with other services.
Examples include Toast and ChowNow, which offer some level of free services but require payments for additional features.
Free Trials: Some companies may offer a limited-time free trial to let restaurants test the software. Once the trial ends, the restaurant would need to pay to continue using the service. Zuppler is a common example of this form.
Benefits of an Online Food Ordering System
Online food ordering systems provide several benefits to restaurants and are a potential way to get more revenue. It is a great solution to provide convenient ordering options from one platform.
Look at these benefits to understand why restaurants must use an online food ordering system.
Attract New Customers
The majority of people prefer to order food online. Therefore, it is the best way to attract customers who use ordering platforms to order food online from restaurants.
The online food delivery system opens a new base for customers who live in remote areas and don’t visit physical locations. Also, if a new customer orders something online and has a good experience, they might return or buy from you again.
Increase Revenue
The online food delivery management software is a great way to generate revenue and boost sales. The restaurants that use online food ordering platforms perform better and get more profits.
In addition, search results indicate that customers who buy their food using an online ordering system spend twenty-five percent more than customers who place traditional orders for dine-in.
Easier to Upsell
The customers agree that it is easier to customize orders from the restaurant website or app. When people eat at a restaurant, waitpersons may forget to ask if they want to add a side, make their food bigger, or change something. However, with an online ordering platform, customers can customize their menu by adding special instructions.
Minimize Mistakes
With an online ordering system, restaurants can make fewer mistakes and organize everything properly. Online ordering minimizes the chances of miscommunication between customers and staff that often occur during phone orders. Customers can directly input their preferences and special requests, ensuring accurate order placement.
Inventory Management
Online ordering systems can be integrated with inventory management systems. As orders are placed, the system updates the inventory in real-time, preventing a restaurant from running out of a particular item.
Enhance Customer Experience
If restaurants use a free food online ordering system, they can improve the customer experience. Customers can place orders anytime and solve their issues more quickly with an active support team.
Numerous online ordering platforms provide real-time order tracking, enabling clients to monitor their orders’ progress from the time they are being prepared until the moment they are delivered. The customer’s whole experience is enhanced due to this transparency.
Best Online Ordering System for Restaurants
Online ordering systems are a vital aspect of the restaurant operations. There is a vast list of restaurants’ best online ordering systems, but we mentioned the best one that helps you make the most informed decision for your business.
Enatega
Enatega is the best online ordering system for restaurants. It allows restaurants to quickly manage orders for pickup and delivery through their website or app.
The Enatega has advanced features such as payment integration, print invoice option, pick up and delivery option, loyalty program, and more that increase lifetime customer value.
In addition, Enatega is best for cafe & coffee shops, restaurants, dessert shops, cloud kitchens, bakeries, ghost kitchens, and bars.
| Pros | Cons |
| No additional charges | Email marketing is not included |
| 24/7 support | |
| 2 hours of free technical consultation | |
| One time payment |
Pricing: Enatega’s pricing strategy is straightforward and it starts from $1997. There are no ongoing subscription fees or extra delivery fees. You only need to pay once to get the whole solution.
Supercharge your deliveries with Enatega.
Toast
Toast is an online digital food ordering platform that provides a seamless ordering experience. It is helpful for new restaurants that don’t have a POS or online ordering system in place.
Toast integrates with various third-party applications and services. It allows restaurants to extend their capabilities and connect with other tools they use.
Additionally, Toast offers exciting features to restaurants, which include:
- Email marketing
- Tableside ordering
- Inventory management
- Staff management
- Gift Cards program
| Pros | Cons |
| User-friendly interface | Higher cost |
| Integration capabilities | Limited customization |
| Strong customer support |
Pricing: Toast offers a variety of pricing plans tailored to different types of restaurants, from small food vendors to large establishments.
Here are the plans that Toast offers.
- Starter Kit: This plan is free and is designed for small, single-location food vendors or mobile sellers.
- Point of Sale: Priced at $69 per month, this option is suited for established food and beverage businesses.
- Build Your Own: A customized plan for large or complex food and beverage establishments.
ChowNow
ChowNow is a commission-free online ordering platform. It helps restaurants to maintain their digital presence and customer relationships. With a monthly membership, restaurants can take orders on their website or through a mobile app with their logo.
Customers can order from ChowNow and pick it up in-store, at the curb, or through a network of service partners. ChowNow makes online ordering more beneficial for restaurants that want to provide better services to their customers. In addition, ChowNow offers free marketing tools.
| Pros | Cons |
| Flexible payment options | Limited customization |
| 24/7 support | |
| 100% fraud and chargeback protection |
Pricing: ChowNow offers two pricing plans with different features.
ChowNow Pro: $199 / mo
- POS integration
- Commission-free ordering
- Automated email marketing
- Branded mobile apps
- Flex delivery
ChowNow Premier: $275 / mo
- Everything included of ChowNow Pro
- Centralized menu management
- Advanced reporting
Bbot
Bbot is another well-known order and payment software for restaurants, breweries, and hotels. This platform allows restaurants to sell online ordering and catering. Thousands of restaurants use it and manage their online ordering operations. Save big on commission fees by restaurants and ghost kitchens using Bbot.
Bbot allows customers to browse menus, place orders, and pay using smartphones. It reduces the need for physical menus and face-to-face interactions.
| Pros | Cons |
| Contactless ordering and payment | Limited marketing features |
| Customer engagement tools | It is cloud-based so it is dependent on the internet |
Pricing: Bbot prices are affordable. There is no free trial or freemium version available, and they do not charge any setup fees.
Menufy
Menufy is a fast and easy online restaurant ordering website with various tools. To some extent, Menufy prioritizes functionality over design. It is ideal for online ordering integration.
The platform is designed to be mobile-friendly, ensuring a seamless ordering experience for customers using smartphones or tablets.
| Pros | Cons |
| Cost-effective pricing | Commission-fee |
| Customizable menu | Limited marketing features |
| Customer loyalty features |
Pricing: Menufy offers a flexible pricing structure tailored for restaurants looking to implement online ordering systems. Here are the key pricing details.
- Basic Pricing: Menufy charges a flat monthly fee of $0, making it accessible for restaurants just starting with online ordering. This plan includes essential features for managing orders.
- Commission Model: Restaurants using Menufy generally pay a commission on orders, which typically ranges from 0% to 10% depending on the plan selected. This commission structure allows businesses to choose a plan that fits their sales volume and budget.
- Custom Solutions: For restaurants that require additional features or integrations, Menufy offers customizable solutions. Prices for these services may vary based on the specific needs and scale of the restaurant.
- Add-Ons: Menufy provides various add-ons for marketing and promotional tools, which may come with additional costs.
Tips for Selecting the Free Food Online Ordering System
Below are some tips that will help you find the best free online food ordering system for your restaurant.
- Always look for a platform that is easy to use and meets your business requirements.
- Look for a platform with customization options to customize it according to your needs easily.
- Pick a mobile-friendly platform to cater to customers who prefer ordering from smartphones.
- Download a food ordering system that must provide top-notch features that align with your goals.
- Ensure the platform provides several food delivery payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, digital wallets, and cash on delivery.
- It is important to prioritize a system with robust security measures to safeguard client information and financial activities.
- Check the reviews and ratings of other restaurants that have used it before.
- Always choose a system that scales with your business.
- Read the terms and conditions and privacy policy before an online food ordering system download.
- When downloading the food ordering system, check that the ordering platform offers an analytics and reporting feature.
FAQs
- What is an Online Food Ordering System?
The online food ordering system is a type of system that accepts and manages orders online for delivery or takeaway. With these systems, restaurants can maintain their operations seamlessly without spending much time. Online ordering platforms have become increasingly popular due to their convenience, accessibility, and time-saving features.
The main goal of the online food ordering system is to:
- Allocate less resources to a single task
- Manage all the operations easily
- Provide better services to customers
- What is the most downloaded food delivery app?
UberEats is often regarded as the most downloaded food delivery app globally, followed closely by DoorDash and Grubhub in various regions.
- What is the best and cheapest food delivery app?
The best and cheapest food delivery app can vary by location, but DoorDash often offers competitive prices and frequent promotions. Uber Eats and Postmates are also popular for their affordability and user-friendly interfaces.
Supercharge your deliveries with Enatega.
Conclusion
Online food delivery systems are all-in-one solution for all restaurant operations.
Now, you get the complete information about the food delivery app's open-source platforms. So you can easily pick the best one for your restaurant.
Also, if you don’t have time to research and spend time on this, book a free demo with us and discuss your requirements for your business. Our team will help you create the best food ordering and delivery system for your restaurant.
About the author
Hudaibia Khalid is the creative force behind the blog—a maestro of words and ideas. Her distinctive style not only imparts wisdom but also leaves an indelible mark, transforming each post into a captivating journey through her unique perspective on the world.
SHARE
