Ask yourself: Is your mobile ordering experience so good that your customers instinctively return to it? For too many restaurants, the answer is no. And that’s a problem.
In today’s restaurant industry, mobile apps are no longer optional but essential. With 85% of online traffic to restaurants coming from mobile devices, customers expect a seamless, engaging, and frictionless digital ordering experience. But here’s the challenge: many restaurant operators settle for basic ordering apps, often bundled with their POS systems, without realizing they lack the critical features that drive repeat business, brand loyalty, and long-term growth.
So, what’s the difference between a standard restaurant online ordering app and a Starbucks-level mobile experience? And why should independent restaurants or growing chains care? Let’s dive in.
In the past, mobile ordering was seen as a luxury reserved for major brands like Starbucks, Chipotle, and Chick-fil-A. But today, the restaurant landscape has changed—customers expect the same level of digital convenience from every restaurant, whether it’s a nationwide chain or a local concept.
To compete in this digital-first world, operators need more than just an ordering system—they need an app that drives engagement, loyalty, and higher ticket sizes.
Several providers, such as Lunchbox, Owner, Incentivio, and Appfront, have built their platforms around a mobile-first approach—unlike many POS add-ons designed for desktops first and then adapted for mobile.
This is one of the most common questions restaurant owners ask. Many assume that because they’re not a billion-dollar brand, they don’t need a high-quality, feature-rich mobile app.
The reality is the opposite: if you want to scale, build customer loyalty, and increase revenue, a powerful mobile ordering experience isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.
Think of it this way: The restaurants that invest in their digital experience today are the ones that will become the industry leaders of tomorrow.
Not all mobile apps are created equal. Here’s the key difference between a standard ordering app often provided simply as an extension of the POS - and a best-in-class, Starbucks-level mobile experience:
Basic Ordering App (POS Add-On):
✅ Lets customers place orders
❌ Generic design with limited branding customization
❌ Minimal loyalty or engagement features
❌ Lacks personalized recommendations, upsells, or order history tracking
❌ Clunky navigation and checkout process
Starbucks-Level Mobile Ordering App:
✅ Fully branded, personalized, customer-centric experience
✅ Seamless loyalty & rewards integration (points displayed on the home screen)
✅ Customized recommendations based on order history
✅ One-tap reordering for past favorites
✅ Engaging, interactive navigation (swipe gestures, fun UI elements)
✅ Gamification elements (challenges, surprise rewards, streaks)
✅ Highlighted promotions, featured items & upselling opportunities
Let’s break down the must-have features of a premium mobile ordering experience:
1. Personalization: Tailor the Experience to Each Customer: Starbucks doesn’t just let you place an order—it remembers your past orders, suggests personalized deals, and makes checkout seamless. Your app should save past orders for one-click reordering, offer AI-powered recommendations based on customer behavior and provide customized promotions to drive repeat visits.
2. Loyalty & Rewards Front and Center: Customers should instantly see their reward points, progress toward the next reward, and special promotions on the home screen. This creates a constant incentive to return and spend more.
3. Seamless, Frictionless Navigation: Easy access to rewards and ordering in a single tap. Intuitive menu navigation that makes browsing fun. Simple checkout process with saved payment methods
4. Gamification & Interactive Features: Make the experience fun and engaging to keep customers coming back. Starbucks does this with challenges, bonus points, and personalized streaks. Your app should include:
5. Easy Reordering & Customization: Customers should be able to save their favorite custom orders and reorder them in a single tap. No one wants to rebuild their perfect order from scratch every time.
6. Highlighting Featured Items & Upsells: Showcasing limited-time offers, new menu items, or high-margin products directly in the app increases order value.
The Future of Restaurant Success is Digital-First: Starbucks, Chipotle, and Chick-fil-A have set the gold standard for mobile ordering. The question isn’t whether customers want this experience—it’s whether your restaurant is ready to deliver it. A basic POS-integrated app won’t cut it. If you want repeat customers, higher check sizes, and a direct channel to engage your audience, you need a Starbucks-level mobile ordering experience. Bottom Line: If you want to grow like Starbucks, you need to deliver like Starbucks. Invest in a mobile ordering platform that goes beyond transactions—it should create an immersive, loyalty-driven experience that keeps customers coming back.
Ready to Upgrade Your Restaurant’s Mobile Experience? If you’re interested in building a best-in-class mobile ordering system that drives customer loyalty and engagement, let’s talk!
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Being a restaurant owner, you want your business to grow and thrive. Whether you are opening your first restaurant or already own a number of locations, you must consider, if you haven’t already, a way for customers to order online and most importantly be delighted by doing so.