Web Site Makes Ordering Easy
11/20/2008 - By Paula Stuart
Once again, electronics have made life easier.
Once again, electronics have made life easier. With online banking and ordering holiday gifts electronically, eating establishments have jumped on the convenience bandwagon, too. In Polk County, several restaurants, cafes and even bakeries are speeding up the ordering processes for their customers.
Barista Jeremy Flood of Black & Brew, 205 E. Main St. in Lakeland, says this kind of service allows customers to not only order online but to pay online as well.
"It's ready to be picked up. You don't have to stand in line to pay, and we can keep your drink cold for you too," said Flood. "We started it this year, and it is working well."
Black & Brew owner Chris McArthur said his restaurant is among more than 540 restaurants who use www.diningoutrestaurantguide.com. that is available for ordering 24 hours per day, every day, so advanced ordering is always possible.
"This new way of doing business has indeed boosted sales," said McArthur. "This Web service brings advertising that makes a difference."
The site includes independent and franchise restaurants that offer this electronic option for quick take-out, express dine-in service or even delivery to save everyone time. McArthur said the average total of online lunch orders is 10-15 per day, and they also allow customers to order their catering online.
Bedrock Cafe, at 280 Wilson Ave. in Bartow, offers 25 percent off of your first electronic order.
"Customers comment about the convenience of ordering online," said owner Kelly Giddens. "It's unlike placing your order over the phone and receiving a busy signal, being on hold for a long period of time or talking on the phone for a long time trying to decide what you want to order. The online ordering service gives liberty to the customers to see what is on the menu before ordering, and keeps the customer from searching for the number in the phone book."
Bedrock Cafe also offers a kids menu and an order confirmation number.
"Most of our online orders are at night," said Giddens. "People want to go home after a long day at work in the county capital."
With this online ordering, your favorite orders can be saved online to make service even faster.
"It has been very smooth, no problems," Giddens said.
The restaurants registered with this service use Itex, a Web tool for cashless business transactions. The site www.diningoutrestaurantguide.com was created and is maintained by a Lakeland businessman.
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