Heartland introduces mobile and online ordering solution

Heartland Payment Systems, the nation's fifth largest payments processor and a leading provider of merchant business solutions, has introduced a feature-rich mobile and online ordering solution to help restaurants of all sizes remain competitive. Heartland Mobile and Online Ordering, in partnership with ToGoTechnologies, provides restaurateurs and consumers alike a convenient ordering experience that has previously been enjoyed only by large restaurant brands and their customers.

“Restaurants are looking for a competitive mobile ordering solution that will match the functionality that major restaurant companies are bringing to market, while minimizing the operational impact of adopting this new technology,” said David Gilbert, president of Heartland’s hospitality group. “Restaurants also want to respond to growing consumer demand as well-known restaurant brands engage in marketing activities to shift consumer behavior towards placing more orders via smartphones, tablets and computers.”

Heartland Mobile and Online Ordering automates the ordering process, saving restaurant operators time and money. The solution’s robust functionality reduces the manual processes of servers taking orders by phone, entering orders into a POS (point-of-sale) system and manually processing payments. As a result, restaurants see increased throughput of incoming orders and improved sales.

For example, Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe, a fast casual restaurant concept with 35 locations, has already seen thousands of its guests convert from manual to digital ordering through Heartland Mobile and Online Ordering, and the company expects to see a lift in sales and achieve cost-saving operational efficiencies as the solution is fully rolled out.

The technology used by Heartland Mobile and Online Ordering is powered by cloud-based customizable templates that allow Heartland to offer restaurants a competitively-priced and branded white label mobile app, advanced responsive web ordering, and a suite of reporting and analytics tools. In addition, options including takeout, delivery, curbside pickup, catering, order from the table and gift and loyalty are all built in, so operators can activate the features they want to grow their business. In turn, this extensive feature set provides users with convenient ordering and pay ahead options as well as opportunities for tailored engagement with their favorite restaurants.

Gilbert added, “Mobile applications that are easy for restaurants, their employees and their customers to learn and use is key to increasing engagement with these products. Partnering with ToGoTechnologies allows Heartland to bring beneficial technology to our restaurants and their customers.”

Heartland’s focus and expertise in the hospitality space, combined with ToGoTechnologies’ rapid speed to market capacity, valuable offering and agile product development roadmap, result in a strong partnership. Heartland Mobile and Online Ordering is now available through Heartland’s national sales force of more than 800 relationship managers.

5 ways to ease payroll complexities from the NRA's Manage My Restaurant

The National Restaurant Association Manage My Restaurant online resource center, provides a variety of informational articles containing the industry's best practices. From topics about operational efficiencies to creating customer loyalty, Manage My Restaurant is a great resource for restaurant owners, managers and even those aspiring to move up the career ladder in hospitality. 

Recent legislation and regulatory changes make it more important than ever to keep payroll top of mind. Although payroll is complex, it doesn’t have to be a source of constant stress. Take these steps to stay on top of your payroll program and keep payroll headaches at bay.

1.     Note important payroll deadlines. Timeliness is vital for employee relations, as well as deadlines for depositing payroll taxes to federal, state and local agencies. Late tax deposits can result in penalties and interest charges.

2.     Classify employees appropriately. Classify your employees into categories such as temporary employees, consultants and independent contractors to ensure your payroll reporting is accurate for tax purposes. That will help you avoid common pitfalls if your business undergoes a payroll audit.

3.     Report and calculate overtime pay. An incorrect classification could be costly if your restaurant be audited. According to the Department of Labor, litigation is increasing over “non-exempt” employees treated as “exempt” who didn’t receive overtime pay. Take time to review employees exempt and non-exempt status to save money in the long run.

4.     Double check data entries. An incorrectly entered hourly wage and the wrong number of employee hours per pay period can cost operators millions of dollars annually. To avoid these mistakes, ask your processor if a “double check” is part of its process for payroll completion. If it’s not, ask to add it.

5.     Save payroll records. Your business must maintain a comprehensive record for each employee, including time sheets, cancelled checks and W-4 forms. Keep them in a safe and accessible location for four to six years. Failure to do so could lead to criminal penalties and/or civil actions. Remember, the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor must be able to inspect your records within 72 hours of notifying you.

If you ensure your in-house or outsourced payroll processor follows efficient, accurate processing procedures, you can improve government compliance and employee relations.

Get more payroll best practices here.

This content was provided by Heartland Payment Systems, the National Restaurant Association and Louisiana Restaurant Association's endorsed provider of secure payment processing, payroll solutions and marketing solutions. It is the developer of Freshtxt, a front-of-the house management system for restaurants.

Heartland Payment Systems® Launches Mobuyle™ Restaurant Mobile Payment Acceptance Solution for Apple iOS Mobile Devices

Heartland Payment Systems (HPS), one of the nation’s largest payments processors, just made it easier for restaurateurs to accept/process card payments anywhere inside and outside a restaurant by unveiling its Mobuyle mobile payment acceptance solution for Apple iOS mobile devices, enabling merchants to take credit, debit and gift card payments on the iPhone®, iPad® and iPod touch®. This release follows the successful launch and adoption of Mobuyle for restaurants Android version and Mobuyle for retail iOS and Android versions.

 

“Technology innovations in restaurants has arrived in the restaurant industry with the use of tablets and iPads for ordering and is one of the top trends in 2012,” said Wendy Waren, VP of Communications for the Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA). “This payment option technology makes the closing out process for restaurant staff and guests much more efficient.”

As one of the first secure, mobile payment applications fully designed and developed by a leading card payments processor, Mobuyle can be used by existing HPS card restaurant merchants (new HPS merchants must open an account) by downloading the free application from Apple’s App Store and purchasing a Mobuyle Encrypting Card Reader from HPS (866) 427-0804.  Merchants just plug the reader into an Apple mobile device audio jack and swipe cards to process customer transactions from anywhere inside or outside a restaurant.

“Restaurant merchants need payment acceptance capabilities from just about anywhere,” said Mike English, executive director of product development for HPS, which is endorsed by the National Restaurant Association and 45 state restaurant associations including the LRA. “By accepting credit, debit and gift card payments through Apple iOS mobile devices, Mobuyle enables restaurateurs and their staff to enhance the overall customer experience.”