5 Common Challenges Affecting Your Quick Service Restaurant (QSR)

At 45/RPM, our passion is collaborating with our clients to create innovative solutions that deliver great customer experiences. Problem solvers at heart, we love using technology to help our quick service restaurant (QSRs) clients address common marketing and operational challenges.  

In this post we’ll take a closer look at 5 common challenges affecting QSRs today and solutions that 45/RPM provides to address them.

1.  Low Customer Retention

Too often, QSRs spend lots of money on acquiring new customers but struggle with converting them to regulars. In fact, the restaurant industry’s customer retention rate clocks in pretty low—about 30%. This means 70% of customers don’t come back to the same restaurant twice. Yet customer retention is critical—and less expensive—to a QSR’s success. 

Loyal customers are more likely to spend more money over time, refer other people and pay a premium to get the menu items they want. If you are experiencing a low customer retention rate, it’s time to review your strategy to increase your guests’ engagement.

45/RPM Solution: QSR Customer Loyalty Program

A QSR customer loyalty program is a powerful way to acquire and retain customers, encourage repeat visits, and maximize their spending. 45/RPM can help you create a strategic and modern digital solution that integrates with platforms like Punchh and consistently delivers an engaging and cohesive customer experience.

2. Frequent Menu Updates

Frequent menu updates are a great way to prevent your restaurant from becoming stagnant. However, if you frequently introduce new offers and don’t update your menu promptly online, it can lead to confusion and lost revenue.

45/RPM Solution: Digital Menu Platform

With a digital menu online ordering system, updating your menu is a breeze. Olo’s online ordering platform gives users an easy-to-use system to effortlessly edit their online menu content. 45/RPM can help you integrate Olo software so that your QSR can make unlimited edits and feel confident that your online menu and in store menu will always be in sync.

3.  Inability to Reach New Customers

With the market size of the US QSR industry at $331.41 billion in 2022, staying ahead of the competition requires more than just providing a great customer experience in your restaurant. More than ever, it’s essential to meet customers where they are—not just in-person, but also online.

45/RPM Solution: Paid Campaigns

Paid ads are an important component of any QSR marketing strategy. They are targeted, measurable, and generally affordable. But they have to be done right.  An experienced QSR marketing agency, 45/RPM understands consumer behaviors, market trends and the competitive landscape. Using customer data, we create successful customized campaigns that cater to the needs and expectations of your customers.  

4. Inconsistent Customer Experience

Your QSR has a website; you offer online ordering and delivery, and you’ve got this great customer loyalty program. But do they all work? And do they work together? Creating an intuitive and seamless customer experience online can be challenging. Yet it is essential that your customers be able to find what they want, place their orders, complete their transactions, and do what they want to do online.

45/RPM Solution: Online Optimization

Understanding your user’s journey and paying special attention to details are essential ingredients for delivering an optimal online customer experience. 45/RPM designs unique, memorable websites that are easy to navigate, mobile-friendly and compatible with online ordering platforms.

5. Third-Party Apps

Third-party delivery services such as DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats are a blessing and a curse for QSRs. While they are an easy  and popular way to offer your customers online ordering and delivery, the high fees associated with third-party apps can significantly impact your restaurant's revenue. On average, QSRs can expect to pay 15-30% per order in fees.

45/RPM Solution: In-House Online Ordering System

An in-house online ordering solution enables customers to place orders directly on a QSR website. 45/RPM can create a seamless online ordering solution that helps combat the challenges associated with third-party delivery apps. It also helps reduce order errors and gives QSRs more control over the customer experience.

Don't let these challenges hold you back - reach out to us today, and let's work together to turn your restaurant into a thriving success story!