The rise of food delivery services in the Philippines has revolutionized the way people dine by providing a kind of convenience and variety that they simply can’t get from eating out. This surge in popularity has been especially beneficial for smaller food establishments, empowering them to compete on a more level playing field with established restaurants and larger food service chains. By tapping into the growing demand for delivery, these establishments can reach a broader customer base and increase their revenue without the need for extensive physical expansion.
Of course, the success of small businesses that are dependent on food delivery hinges upon the safety and efficiency of the service they provide. Establishments that can get food to customers on time and in perfect condition are likely to perform best and see the most repeat business. And in addition to enhancing the customer experience, efficient operations also optimize resources, which, in turn, help make smaller food establishments more profitable and sustainable.
If you run a small restaurant or other food business and are looking to optimize your food delivery service, you’ve come to the right place. Maya Business is here to walk you through some best practices that can help you ensure that your every delivery arrives safely, right when your customers expect it. Let’s get started:
Offer Cashless Payment Options
Cashless payments have revolutionized the operations of commercial businesses in just about every sector, and the food industry is no exception. In the context of food delivery, they can cut transaction times and also minimize physical contact between restaurant staff, delivery riders, and customers. This makes deliveries safer as well as faster by reducing the risk of handling cash. Moreover, digital payments are typically more secure than cash transactions, protecting both your business and your customers from risks like loss of cash and financial fraud.
Maya Terminal and Maya Terminal Lite are excellent solutions for integrating cashless payments into your delivery service. These ultra-portable payment terminal machines support a wide variety of digital payment methods, including QR codes and NFC (tap-to-pay), making them ideal for meet-ups, curbside pickups, and deliveries. Their user-friendly designs ensure that your delivery riders can process payments quickly and efficiently, while their compliance with international security standards guarantees secure transactions. Adopting any one of these cutting-edge payment terminals thus positions your business to offer a seamless and safe payment experience that meets the modern consumer's expectations, whether they prefer paying with debit cards, credit cards, e-wallets, or QR Ph.
Maintain High Hygiene Standards
Proper food handling practices are crucial to preventing contamination and ensuring that food reaches customers in a safe and sanitary condition. This starts with training your staff on the importance of cleanliness, from washing hands regularly to using gloves and sanitizers. Delivery bags, vehicles, and other equipment also need to be sanitized regularly to maintain hygiene standards.
Ensure Proper Food Preparation and Storage Practices
Proper food storage is crucial for maintaining the quality and safety of ingredients used in food delivery. Make sure to prepare and store raw meats, poultry, and seafood separately from cooked foods to prevent cross-contamination. Refrigerate perishable items promptly below 4°C (40°F), and if possible, use airtight containers to preserve their freshness.
Also ensure that you label items with contents and dates so that you can follow the first-in-first-out rule, which ensures that older items are used before newer ones. Importantly, you should likewise monitor storage conditions regularly to uphold food safety standards, no matter if you’re storing food items in a freezer or refrigerator, or just under room temperature.
Optimize Delivery Times
Timeliness is a critical factor in the food delivery industry, as it directly affects customer satisfaction and the quality of the food itself. Efficient route planning is essential to ensure that all your deliveries arrive at your customers’ doorsteps promptly. Consider utilizing technological solutions like GPS and route optimization software to identify the fastest and most efficient routes. This helps keep food fresh and increases the number of deliveries that your service can complete in a given timeframe.
It's equally important to set realistic delivery expectations with your customers. Overpromising and under delivering can lead to customer dissatisfaction and negative reviews. To manage expectations and build trust, provide the most accurate estimates possible and keep customers informed about the status of their orders.
Invest in Quality Packaging
Quality packaging plays a vital role in ensuring that food reaches customers in perfect condition. Use durable packaging to maintain the food's integrity during transit. This will help preserve the food's taste and texture and ensure that it meets safety standards upon arrival. For food products that need to be kept hot or cold, make sure to use temperature-controlled packaging options. Sturdy and well-designed packaging can enhance the overall customer experience by preventing spills and maintaining the presentation and quality of the food.
Beyond functionality, the environmental impact of packaging is also increasingly becoming a concern for consumers. Eco-friendly packaging options can appeal to environmentally conscious customers and differentiate your service in a competitive market.
Enhance Communication
Clear and consistent communication with customers ensures that they’re well-informed and satisfied with the service. Most customers, for instance, will appreciate real-time updates on the status of their orders through SMS or app notifications, as these updates help them manage expectations and reduce anxiety about delivery times.
Detailed delivery instructions and clear contact information for drivers can also improve efficiency. Take time to double-check that delivery riders have all the necessary details before setting out as this helps minimize delays and errors. In addition, encouraging feedback from customers and drivers alike can provide valuable insights for improving your service. Opening up communication channels with those you work with is one of the best ways to refine your operations and maintain high standards of service over time.
Establish Your Place in the Food Service Industry with Maya Business Solutions
The food service scene has long had a reputation for fierce competition, but with Maya Business in your corner, your business is more than capable of rising to the challenge. Sign up for Maya Business to access our full collection of business banking, payment, and disbursement solutions, all of which can help you take your operations to the next level.
Once you set up a Maya Business account, you can open a Maya Business Deposit account and use it as your settlement account. With an industry-leading 2.5% per annum interest rate, you’ll earn PHP 25,000 in interest per year on a PHP 1 million deposit. You’ll also be able to send money to your partners and suppliers for free via InstaPay and PESONet, which will net you substantial savings over time.
Furthermore, your Maya Business account qualifies you for a no-collateral Maya Flexi Loan offer of up to PHP 2 million in just 3 months—that’s yet another helpful funding source to further develop your business. Just use Maya as your primary processor for all wallet and card payments. The more you use our solutions, the better the loan offer will be.
Open your Maya Business account today to harness the power of our top solutions.
