Otter’s latest features for April are here! Help your restaurant start this spring off right with these new updates.

Otter Update Notes – April 10, 2024 | Otter

Fresh from the oven this April is a new batch of features to make your Otter experience faster, smoother, and more efficient. Keep serving smarter with these updates! 

Consolidate your catering orders. You can now handle catering orders through your own delivery channels. Easily manage the entire process, from order placement to delivery, right from your Online Ordering app.

Get even more control over your delivery. Ensure a great customer experience by setting your delivery range and delivery fees for your eaters’ direct orders.

Kiosks now give your customers more options. Better prepare your staff to serve kiosk orders by letting customers choose dine-in or to-go.

Missed last month's updates? See our March 2024 product news here!

Otter Update Notes – April 10, 2024

Otter’s latest restaurant product features for February. Use a more consistent reporting time format, more powerful kiosk management, summary of financial data, report of labor vs. sales, POS updates to keep or skip, and transparent menu publishing.

Otter Product Updates – February 19, 2025

All Analytics reports will now use your store’s local time. Currently, your data is based on your (the user’s) time zone. This change only affects you if you have stores in different time zones. Check out the details here.

Get a more standardized look at your data regardless of where your stores are

The new Kiosk app in your Otter Dashboard enables you to manage all your Otter Kiosks in one place. Create or update your branding, change fulfillment modes, available fees and payment methods, and more. See how Otter Kiosk makes it easy for you to reduce wait times and increase your basket size.

The new Labor Cost report in the Analytics app allows Homebase users to easily track their cost of labor vs. sales in any given period. It can then be directly exported to their 3rd party payroll solution without the need to process the raw data.

Recurring menu updates from your POS to delivery providers sometimes include updates that do not need to be applied to those menus. You now have the option to review and skip these updates and archive them for future use. Learn more here.

Control which menu updates from your POS are applied

Publishing a menu now has status updates per channel or store allowing you to see exactly which ones have been completed, are still in progress, or had issues.

Ready to revolutionize your food hall? Discover how innovative POS systems like Otter are transforming dining experiences, streamlining vendor operations, and creating dynamic culinary destinations that bring communities together through technology and taste.

What is a food hall POS? Powering dining experiences

In 1825, the Quincy Market opened Boston as a wholesale produce center. Two hundred years later, it’s arguably the longest running food hall in the United States, attracting just under 20 million visitors each year. Walk beneath its towering Greek Revival columns to a bustling hub of Boston’s best – fresh seafood, local produce, and the ever-iconic Boston Cream Pie. Every year there are more food halls popping up all over the country, and it’s easy to see why. More than a dining experience of variety and quality, food halls serve as community hubs where people can gather, explore diverse flavors, and enjoy a curated selection of local and specialty foods.

With so many interesting vendors in one place, how can one possibly keep track of it all? There’s where a food hall POS comes in. A POS plays a critical role in streamlining vendor operations, enhancing the customer experience, and driving profitability. In order to choose the right system for you, let’s break down the popularity of food halls, how a POS can improve your food hall business, and how to choose the right one.

It’s no secret that over the last few decades, food halls have surged in popularity. These vibrant spaces cater to modern diners' desire for variety, quality, and unique experiences. The communal dining areas foster a sense of community, encouraging neighbors to interact and try cuisines from different cultures. These are the notable factors that differentiate a food hall from a food court, which primarily feature fast-food chains in a mall setting.

To manage these dynamic environments, it’s crucial to invest in an advanced POS system. Not only does a solid point of sale system enable seamless vendor coordination, with its ability to collect analytics and offer real-time menu updates, it enhances the overall customer experience. A vast majority of food establishments already know the value of a POS – the 20 billion dollar industry is expected to generate 30 billion by 2030.

Take the Flavor District food hall in North Carolina, an Otter customer that has found success even in a smaller market. Owners Travis and David saw a significant shift in everything from daily operations to bottom line profits when incorporating Otter POS. "Now that we're onboard with Otter, I can go through the analytics of how we performed last month. It's such a streamlined process, and we're able to highlight opportunities for ourselves at the touch of a button," Owner David Foye shares. 

The first question we must tackle is how does a dedicated food hall POS actually benefit your business? For starters, it simplifies the management system. There are unique challenges to overcome with multiple restaurants under one roof, and streamlining daily operations and sales is essential. Additionally, a POS can help with:

Vendor coordination: Food hall POS systems ensure a unified ordering experience. Customers have the ability to browse menus and place orders from various vendors in a single transaction. The orders are instantly routed through the kitchen display system to the correct kitchens, alleviating the hassle of task distribution. This seamless process eliminates confusion, keeps service fast, and minimizes wait times, leading to happy patrons and happier staff.

Real-time analytics: To run a successful food hall, you need to stay aware of sales trends and performance. With a POS, restaurant owners can monitor key metrics such as average check size, hourly sales, and revenue by menu item, highlighting patterns to make informed decisions quickly. This data-driven approach enables managers to refine pricing strategies, optimize menus, and identify growth opportunities, ultimately increasing profits.

Inventory management: POS systems enable real-time inventory tracking, helping food hall vendors keep a close eye on what’s in stock and reduce overall waste. With included features like automated reordering and inventory updates, food vendors can always have the right amount of ingredients on hand. 

Customer convenience: In a world where convenience and speed is expected, it’s essential to adopt reliable Integrated payment solutions. A food hall POS system, like Otter’s, features shared tabs and mobile ordering so multiple guests can order from various vendors and split the bill easily. This makes life easier for everyone!

By implementing these features, food halls can create a more efficient, enjoyable, and profitable dining environment. The streamlined operations lead to faster service and reduced errors, so happy customers will return again and again. 

How to choose the right food hall POS system

Choosing the right POS system for your food hall is crucial for streamlining operations and enhancing the guest experience. Here are some key features to consider:

Scalability: It’s important to select a POS system that can grow with your food hall. Look for solutions that allow easy addition of new vendors and expansion of services as your business evolves.

A food hall POS must efficiently manage multiple vendors from a single system. Otter, for example, offers a unified ordering experience where customers can browse menus and place orders from various vendors in one transaction.

Integration capabilities: Choose an ordering system that integrates seamlessly with other essential tools such as online ordering platforms, delivery services, and accounting software, like Otter POS. With so many vendors under one roof, you’ll need a smooth flow of information across all aspects of your entire business.

Ease of use: An intuitive interface is crucial for both staff and customers. Look for systems, like Otter’s modern point-of-sale or self-serve Kiosks, with user-friendly designs and customizable layouts to minimize training time and improve efficiency. 

Robust customer support: Reliable help is essential. Opt for a provider offering 24/7 customer support to ensure your operations run smoothly at all times, like Otter. Gilberto Rascon, Owner of Urbano Food, has mentioned that “Every restaurant owner should give Otter a try. The interface is simple, it's easy to use, and the support team is top notch." 

Why Otter stands out as your go-to food hall POS provider

Otter distinguishes itself in several key ways:

Order management: Consolidates in-store, online, and delivery orders for streamlined operations.

AI marketing: Optimizes in-app delivery ads to grow your customer base.

Comprehensive analytics: Provides a full view of your business performance.

Kiosk support: Enables upselling and helps manage rush hours effectively.

24/7 customer support: Ensures assistance is always available when you need it.

By carefully considering these factors and exploring options like Otter, you can select a POS system that not only meets your current needs but also supports your food hall's inevitable expansion and success.

Otter’s innovative POS solutions are redefining food hall management and beyond, providing tools to streamline operations, improve vendor coordination, and enhance customer experiences. From real-time analytics to seamless delivery integrations, we help food halls increase efficiency, boost revenue, and deliver unforgettable dining experiences.

How to maximize the potential of your food hall POS with 4 tips

To leverage your food hall POS system to its fullest potential, consider these four useful tips:

1. Utilize data analytics to identify top-performing vendors

By analyzing sales data across multiple vendors, it’s possible to pinpoint those that are driving the most revenue. Use this information to optimize your mix of offerings, appeal to a wider range of customer tastes, and potentially negotiate better terms with high-performing partners.

2. Set up loyalty programs to increase repeat customers

A food hall POS can enable you to implement a unified loyalty program that incorporates multiple restaurants under one roof. Use the POS system to track customer preferences and tailor rewards and promotions according to their go-to vendors.

3. Integrate with delivery platforms to expand reach

Integration of delivery platforms is key to streamlining order management. By connecting your POS system with services like UberEats and GrubHub and then scrutinizing the included data, you can quickly identify which platforms are most effective for your food hall.

4. Train staff and vendors to use the system effectively

No matter how intuitive the POS system is, the importance of effective training cannot be overstated. Otter provides a robust collection of resources, as well as ongoing support, to ensure you and your staff are fully aware of how to use our POS to maximize your restaurant operations. 

Otter’s all-in-one POS, ongoing support, and unique tools interact to ensure the success of your food hall. As Marcello Sala of LALA’S Argentine Grill in Los Angeles notes, "I don't know what we'd do without Otter. It has benefited our business operations in multiple ways. It's faster and brings everyone in the restaurant onto the same page. It makes each employee’s job easier, from the kitchen staff to the drivers. It's a very user-friendly system that simplifies the entire process of managing delivery and takeout orders. I strongly recommend Otter to anyone in the restaurant business, because it makes everything more efficient and helps you better serve your customers."

By leveraging these four critical tips and partnering with a user-friendly system like Otter, food hall operators can optimize operations, enhance customer experiences, and drive growth in today's competitive market.

Can smaller food halls afford point-of-sale systems?

Yes, many POS systems, including Otter, are designed with scalability and affordability in mind. Smaller food halls can start with essential features and expand as needed, ensuring they only pay for what they use.

Is Otter suitable for single-location food halls?

Absolutely! Otter offers flexible solutions tailored to single-location food halls, helping them streamline operations, improve vendor management, and enhance the customer experience without unnecessary complexity.

How does Otter help streamline delivery management for food halls?

Otter integrates seamlessly with top delivery platforms, consolidating orders from multiple vendors and channels into a single dashboard. This reduces errors, speeds up order processing, and ensures a smooth delivery experience for customers – giving you one clear view of your orders.

What reporting and analytics features does Otter offer for food hall vendors?

Otter provides detailed sales and performance analytics, enabling vendors to track key metrics like top-selling items, peak sales times, and overall revenue. These insights empower vendors to make data-driven decisions and improve their operations.

Empower your restaurant with Otter's innovative technology! Our integrated POS system, self-service kiosks, online ordering, and QR code ordering streamline operations and enhance customer satisfaction. Manage multiple locations, consolidate delivery partners, and boost profits effortlessly. Join the restaurant revolution – book an Otter demo now.

Otter's ordering options: from restaurant kiosks and POS to QR codes & more

Let’s cut to the chase. There are endless options to choose from regarding software and products for your restaurant. Otter is unique because it was created solely with restaurants in mind. We know what tools and apps you need to succeed, and our suite of products makes that happen. Our restaurant command center saves our customers time and money while giving them tangible insights into their business. See why 95,000+ restaurants, food trucks, cafes, franchises, and more are switching to Otter’s all-in-one mission control platform.

Our comprehensive system streamlines ordering processes for all in-store, online, and delivery channels, empowering restaurant owners with a seamless system that integrates various ordering options. By centralizing menus, sales, and operations, Otter enhances your restaurant’s efficiency and handles operational tasks, allowing staff to focus on customer service.

Whether you’re just starting to get your restaurant off the ground or you’re a long-standingsmall business or nationwide franchise, by incorporating Otter’s modern platform, you can manage tasks across locations, reduce order errors, improve team communication, and grow sales with ease.

Otter POS – the heart of your restaurant operations

Otter POS is an all-in-one central hub that manages and processes orders across a variety of channels. Our comprehensive platform unifies your workflow by integrating in-store, online, and delivery app orders into one place. Here’s what makes Otter so beneficial to your business:

Multi-location & multichannel management: Manage and edit all your orders from kiosks, delivery, phone, and website in one screen

Consolidate all of your apps into a single ecosystem: Integrate your Otter POS with the partners you already rely on, including loyalty programs and inventory management systems

Supervise multi-locations on all of your channels: Centralize menus, sales, and customer analytics to help you make better business decisions and increase profits

24/7 order reliability: Wi-Fi down? Customers can continue to insert, swipe, or tap cards even when you’re offline.  Live Alerts ensures you’re on top of your restaurant wherever you are.

Additionally, Otter’s POS system guarantees secure payment processing and real-time updates. The moment an order arrives, it’s sent straight to the kitchen, cutting down on wait times and allowing you to serve customers faster and more efficiently than ever before.

Otter's self-service kiosks serve the following purposes: allowing customers to place orders directly, reducing wait times, and freeing up staff to focus on more important tasks. These intuitive touchscreen ordering systems come as sleek stand-alones or tabletop terminals. Through intelligent upselling prompts and intuitive item suggestions, our innovative kiosks boost revenue by 22% by  automatically analyzing customer preferences and offering personalized menu upgrades and extras. This customization feature fosters diner loyalty and encourages repeat visits. 

How does it work? Quickly and efficiently. Kiosk orders are instantly processed and synced with the Otter POS, ensuring smooth operations throughout the restaurant. This seamless integration improves order accuracy, speeds up workflow, and ultimately drives growth for all kinds of establishments, including fast food, fast casual, food trucks, and cafes.

Otter’s online ordering/commission-free website solution

Otter empowers restaurants with a commission-free online ordering system that enables management to accept orders directly through their websites. This approach significantly increases profit margins by reducing reliance on third-party platforms and associated fees. In other words, Otter's solution cuts out middleman costs, so that hard-earned money stays in your own pockets and no one else’s. By easily integrating with Otter POS, all online orders are automatically synced and sent to the appropriate kitchen. This eliminates manual entry, reduces errors, and allows restaurants to manage all orders from a single platform.

Curious about catering? Catering is a great way for restaurants to expand their revenue streams, and Otter is here to help you do just that. Our system's catering feature allows restaurant owners to easily manage large, advance orders through Otter’s online ordering. This functionality enables you to:

Set minimum order values and lead times for catering orders.

Offer specific menu items or exclusive catering packages.

Give customers the ability to schedule orders in advance.

Manage catering orders separately from regular orders, ensuring proper preparation and timing.

By incorporating catering support, Otter can segue your restaurant into a lucrative market segment. Our platform's user-friendly interface makes it easy for customers to place catering orders, while the backend integration ensures smooth processing and fulfillment by restaurant staff.

If there’s one thing that’s transformed the restaurant industry in the last few years, it’s QR code ordering. By scanning a QR code with their smartphones, diners can now access digital menus and place orders directly from their table. This style of ordering gained traction during the pandemic but continued to evolve from subpar menus to a sophisticated, user-friendly feature that customers have come to expect. By reducing wait times and minimizing contact, QR code ordering is ideal for quick-service restaurants, dine-in establishments, and food trucks.

Otter's Digital Dine-In solution exemplifies this innovation, connecting customers to mobile-optimized menus for easy browsing, ordering, and payment. All QR code orders instantly sync with the Otter POS, ensuring seamless integration throughout all channels. This streamlines operations reduces errors, and allows staff to focus on providing exceptional service, ultimately boosting efficiency and profitability.

Otter offers 100+ third-party integrations, including ones with top delivery partners like Uber Eats, GrubHub, and DoorDash. Otter simplifies restaurant operations by integrating and consolidating food ordering from all delivery platforms into one centralized hub. This hub is a single, user-friendly interface that eliminates the need for multiple devices and reduces the risk of missed orders.

Key benefits of Otter’s delivery services aggregator include:

Ability to auto accept orders as they come in to reduce missed orders.

Enhanced order accuracy and efficiency through real-time routing

Time-saving advantages through its unified dashboard for all delivery channels

Streamlined reporting and analytics across platforms

Simplified menu management that syncs across all connected services

By centralizing delivery operations, Otter gives restaurants the power to improve efficiency, reduce order issues, increase sales volume, and easily test new products across multiple ordering platforms.

As a busy restaurant owner, what you need is a unified solution that integrates ordering channels and streamlines your establishment’s operations. With Otter POS, you can seamlessly connect in-store, online, and delivery orders, creating a streamlined ecosystem that enhances efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Our collective approach ensures consistent order management and pricing across all channels.  Here's a step-by-step explanation on how it works:

Step #1: A customer orders in-store using Otter Point-of-Sale, qr-code, self-service kiosk, or online through your commission-free website. (numerous ways to order means you can meet customers where they’re at)

Step #2: The orders then instantly process, appear on your Order Management screen, print in the back-of-house, and also appear on the kitchen display system (KDS) to start being made. 

Step #3: Simultaneously, a delivery app order flows directly into your same system, seamlessly appearing alongside in-house orders on the KDS.

Step #4: Your team is fulfilling orders, you’re seeing how your business is performing in real-time through Otter’s analytics, and customers are leaving happy and ready to come back for more.

Otter's suite of products provides centralized order management, real-time menu synchronization, streamlined workflow, comprehensive analytics, and enhanced customer experience through flexible ordering options.

By adopting Otter's integrated solution, restaurateurs can significantly improve operational efficiency, handle higher order volumes without increasing staff workload, and ultimately drive growth. 

Otter’s latest restaurant product features for February. Check out new financials payouts, KDS prioritization, ticket reprinting, and more to help your business thrive.

Otter Product Updates – February 5, 2025

The Payouts report of the Financials app has been updated to make it easier for you to understand where your money’s coming from. You can now filter by payout ID, store, or sales channel. A new Otter balance summary shows you how much you can expect to be paid out from Otter channels (POS and Online Ordering). More robust order details allow you to trace taxes, tips, and more. Learn more here.

Bump orders on your Otter KDS and prioritize them to be cooked and assembled. Simply long press on an order and then tap “On the fly” at the bottom of the order card. This will move it to the front of the queue. See how Otter’s affordable KDS solution makes your kitchen more efficient: https://www.tryotter.com/kds

The new Devices app for Otter POS users shows you all your connected devices, including POS terminals, printers, and card readers. It alerts you if any of them are offline, unpaired, or have weak signal strength so you can keep your business up and running smoothly.

The enhanced Analytics applet in your Otter tablet or POS terminal is your quick look into your sales. Its daily summary helps you review what happened in the last few days to give you an instant overview of how your business is doing that week.

Need an extra copy of a receipt? You can now reprint a customer ticket or a payment receipt right from the Orders app.

The new storefront history provides a detailed log of all the changes that happened with your online stores. Track down what caused them to be paused or unpaused. Tap the history button on the upper right-hand side of the Storefronts applet of your Otter tablet or POS terminal.

New filters in your Orders app let you filter orders by cashier, payment status, channel, type, and more. Just tap the filter icon at the top of the orders list.

Ordering channels

Otter Point of Sale

Kiosk

QR Ordering

Online Ordering

Order management

Secure Payments

Order Manager

Kitchen Display

Order Handoffs

Unified operations

Menus and 86ing

Guest engagement & growth

Loyalty

Marketing

Virtual Brands

Intelligence & reporting

Live Alerts

Otter Go™ mobile app

Financials

Disputes & Refunds

Analytics

Fast casual

Bakery

Cafe

Food truck

Food Court

Pizzeria

Enterprise restaurants

Help center

Blog

Local food trends

Become a partner

Product demos

Product release notes

Point of Sale

Delivery Partners

Direct to Consumer

Couriers

Staff Managment

Virtual Brands

Products

Ordering channels

Otter Point of Sale

Kiosk

QR Ordering

Online Ordering

Order management

Secure Payments

Order Manager

Kitchen Display

Order Handoffs

Unified operations

Menus and 86ing

Guest engagement & growth

Loyalty

Marketing

Virtual Brands

Intelligence & reporting

Live Alerts

Otter Go™ mobile app

Financials

Disputes & Refunds

Analytics

Restaurant Types

Fast casual

Bakery

Cafe

Food truck

Food Court

Pizzeria

Enterprise restaurants

Resources

Help center

Blog

Local food trends

Become a partner

Product demos

Product release notes

Integrations