Mobile: Opportunity or Threat for Indie Coffee?
Mobile ordering at coffee shops should be an integrated part of your customer service strategy. The impact is higher average tickets, bigger tips, and better customer relationships.
nick-martin
Feb 20, 2019
The Mobile Revolution is Here
Mobile ordering has transformed the coffee industry. The question isn't whether to embrace it - it's how to do it right.
The Opportunity
When implemented thoughtfully, mobile ordering creates massive value for indie coffee shops:
Higher Average Tickets
Mobile orders consistently run 15-20% higher than in-person orders. Customers browsing on their phones are more likely to add that extra pastry or try that seasonal special.
Bigger Tips
Mobile ordering makes tipping seamless. Customers who might not have cash for the tip jar are prompted to tip digitally - and they do, generously.
Better Customer Relationships
With less time spent on transactional interactions, your baristas have more time for genuine connection with customers who want to chat.
Captured Data
Know what your customers love, when they visit, and how to bring them back more often.
The Threat (If You Don't Act)
The threat isn't mobile ordering itself - it's being left behind:
- National chains are investing billions in mobile technology
- Customer expectations for convenience continue to rise
- Third-party apps are happy to take a 30% cut of your sales
The Right Way Forward
Mobile ordering should be an integrated part of your customer service strategy, not a replacement for it. That's why we built joe specifically for coffee shops - to enhance what makes indie coffee special, not diminish it.
Ready to turn mobile into your competitive advantage? Email success@joe.coffee to get started.