Online Food Ordering Technology and Trends in Kenya

Introduction

Online food ordering technology has brought about a substantial revolution in Kenya’s restaurant business in recent years. The use of digital platforms for takeout and delivery of food has increased as consumers look for efficiency and convenience more and more. This change is affecting not just how Kenyans eat but also how eateries run, promote, and interact with their patrons. In this article, we’ll look at the several online meal ordering platforms that have become popular in Kenya, analyze the trends affecting this fast-paced industry, and emphasize the advantages that these developments offer to consumers and restaurateurs alike. Additionally, I will share with you how FoodChow can help take your restaurant business online, providing comprehensive solutions to enhance your operations and reach a wider audience.

• Food Delivery Growth

Kenya’s meal delivery sector is expanding rapidly due to rising internet usage, a developing middle class, and shifting consumer preferences. Kenya’s internet meal delivery business is expected to generate $436.2 million in revenue by 2024. From 2024 to 2029, this market is anticipated to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 7.77%.

• Growing number of  Internet Users in Kenya

An important factor in the growth of online meal delivery services in Kenya is the country’s fast growing internet user base. According to the most recent figures, there are over 46 million internet users in Kenya, or roughly 87.2% of the country’s total population. The spread of cellphones and reasonably priced internet services are the main drivers of this surge.

• number of users who prefer to order food online 

Due to its ease of use, a significant percentage of people prefer ordering food online for dining. A considerable portion of Kenyans, particularly those living in cities, prefer to place online food orders than eat out. This tendency is demonstrated by the widespread use of meal delivery applications like Glovo, Uber Eats, and Jumia meal. Jumia Food observed in 2019 that over 50% of all orders were placed for dinner, indicating a significant preference for ordering in.

• number of users who searches online before visiting a restaurant

Before dining out, a lot of Kenyans like to do their homework online. This practice involves examining menus, comparing costs, and reading reviews. This tendency is especially noticeable among younger, tech-savvy diners who base a lot of their eating choices on internet research. This change encouraged numerous eateries to enhance their digital footprint and guarantee that their information is easily accessible on meal delivery and review sites.

https://www.quora.com/How-many-users-search-for-restaurants-online

What technology are restaurants in Kenya adopting?

1. Point-of-Sale Software 

A point-of-sale (POS) system is a hardware and software combination that enables companies to track several parts of their operations and conduct sales transactions effectively. 

Advantages:

• Efficiency: expedites the payment process, cuts down on wait times, and raises client satisfaction.
• Accuracy: Reduces human mistakes in inventory control and transaction processing.
• Data Insights: Assists companies in making decisions by offering comprehensive information on sales patterns.
• Inventory control: assists in preserving ideal stock levels, cutting down on waste, and overstocking.
• Customer engagement: personalized interactions and loyalty plans improve customer service.
• Security: Uses user permissions and encryption to protect sensitive data.
• Scalability: The ability to expand to meet a company’s demands, whether they involve one or several locations.

2.Contactless Ordering 

Customers can use their own devices, like smartphones or tablets, to place orders through contactless ordering, doing away with the requirement for paper menus and staff involvement. Dedicated apps, NFC technologies, and QR codes can all be used to accomplish this.

Advantages: 

• Enhances safety and hygiene by reducing physical contact.
• Speeds up the ordering procedure, which raises table turnover.
• Orders are entered by clients themselves, increasing order accuracy.
• Gives clients an advanced, technologically competent experience.

3.Online Ordering 

Through the restaurant’s website or a third-party platform, patrons can place orders for pickup or delivery via online ordering. Order administration is made easier by this system’s integration with the restaurant’s point of sale.

Advantages:

• Increases the restaurant’s influence beyond its geographical location.
• By providing a convenient ordering option, it boosts sales.
• Immediately captures user input to reduce order mistakes.
• Gives information for customer insights and targeted marketing.

4.Restaurant Websites

A restaurant’s website acts as a central destination for all the details about the business, such as menus, locations, operating hours, and online ordering options. Multimedia content, consumer evaluations, and reservation systems are frequently included.

Advantages:

• Improves the restaurant’s discoverability and internet presence.
• Gives patrons a quick way to communicate with the business and access to vital information.
• Aids in marketing and branding initiatives.
• Able to interact with online reservation and buying platforms to provide smooth client support.

5.Self-Service Kiosk 

Customers can use interactive terminals called self-service kiosks in restaurants to place orders and pay for them without assistance from staff. Touch screens and intuitive user interfaces are features of these kiosks.

Advantages:

• Minimizes lineups and delays, particularly during busy hours.
• Allows employees to concentrate on serving customers and preparing meals.
• Improves order accuracy by letting clients make their own choices.
• Gives diners a more contemporary, effective ordering experience overall.

6. Digital Marketing and Food Blogging

Digital marketing is the term for a variety of online techniques used to sell restaurants, including email campaigns, social media marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), and online ads. In order to draw in and keep readers interested, food bloggers produce material about meals, cooking, and dining experiences.

Advantages: 

• Offers insightful information based on client feedback and analytics.
• Promotes consumer interaction and brand exposure.
• Increases traffic to the restaurant’s social media and internet sites.
• Increases client loyalty with frequent updates and offers.

How can you grow your restaurant or hospitality business with technology?

Expanding a restaurant or hospitality business through technology entails utilizing diverse digital tools and platforms to optimize productivity, elevate client satisfaction, and simplify processes. The following are some important tactics and tools to take into consideration:

1. Build online presence

Advantages:

• Increases visibility and reach.
• Enhances brand credibility and trust.
• Provides a platform for customer engagement and feedback.
• Enables easy access to information about your restaurant, including location, hours, and menu.

Solution: Build your online presence effortlessly with FoodChow. Our customizable websites and social media integration tools make it easy for your restaurant to stand out and attract more customers. Learn more about FoodChow’s online presence solutions.

2.Online Ordering

Advantages:

• Convenience for customers, leading to higher order volumes.
• It streamlines the order process and reduces errors.
• Provides an additional revenue stream.
• Offers data insights on customer preferences and ordering habits.

Solution: Enhance your customer experience with FoodChow’s online ordering system. Offer seamless delivery and pickup options, and watch your sales grow. Discover FoodChow’s online ordering system.

3.Table Ordering

Advantages:

• Reduces wait times for ordering and payment.
• Minimizes errors in order-taking.
• Enhances customer satisfaction with a modern dining experience.
• Increases table turnover and revenue.

Solution: Upgrade your dining service with FoodChow’s table-ordering system. Allow customers to order and pay directly from their smartphones, improving efficiency and satisfaction. Explore FoodChow’s table-ordering solutions.

4. Install POS Software

Advantages:

• Simplifies order and payment processing.
• Provides detailed sales and inventory reports.
• Enhances operational efficiency.
• Integrates with other restaurant management tools.

Solution: Streamline your operations with FoodChow’s advanced POS software. Easy to install and use, our POS system helps you manage orders, inventory, and sales effortlessly. Check out FoodChow’s POS software.

5. Website

Advantages:

• Serves as a central hub for your restaurant’s online activities.
• Enables online reservations and ordering.
• Showcases your menu and special offers.
• Improves customer engagement and loyalty.

Solution: Get a professional, user-friendly website with FoodChow. Our websites are optimized for all devices and come with features like online reservations and integrated ordering. Build your website with FoodChow.

6. Digital Marketing

Advantages:

• Increases brand awareness and reach.
• Drives targeted traffic to your website.
• Enhances customer engagement and retention.
• Provides measurable results and ROI.

By leveraging FoodChow’s comprehensive solutions, restaurant owners can enhance their operations, improve customer experience, and ultimately grow their business/

Top delivery companies in Kenya who can do delivery on your behalf

1. uBerEats :  User friendly interface that is very reliable and has multiple payment options including mobile money and cash. One is also able to track orders in real time from the comfort of their homes and offices. 
2. Glovo:  Glovo is also another food delivery app in kenya. Glovo offers  more than just food; they also deliver pharmaceuticals, groceries and other essentials through the app. Glovo is user friendly and has an efficient delivery system making it favorable among many kenyans. Glovo operates 24 hours and they offer regular promotions and discounts on their app. 
3.  Jumia food: Jumia attracts a wide base of customers because of their competitive pricing. Jumia features a wide range of restaurants and cuisines all over kenya hence they maintain a strong presence.
4.  Bolt food;  Bolt is the latest food delivery app in kenya and it has quickly gained popularity due its competitive delivery fees and fast services. This is the easiest app to use and it offers various cuisines and caters to different tastes and preferences.

Conclusion 

FoodChow is a leading marketplace and technology solution provider for restaurants across the world. The solution is 100% free, and the vision is to help restaurant owners have a digital presence with zero upfront cost. You can check out various solutions available, like an online food ordering system, restaurant POS, contactless ordering, and mobile POS, on their website. The offers, coupons, and marketing solutions will help you drive traffic to your store, resulting in more business.