Digital ordering could capture half of all restaurant revenue within a decade. The shift is already reshaping how restaurants operate, from kitchen workflows to customer loyalty programs. 

Is Australia leading or following the global trends?

Globally, seven in ten diners under 55 now use apps to order ahead of time. This isn't just convenience—it's becoming essential infrastructure. A third of consumers consider the ability to advance order crucial when choosing where to eat. Speed remains king, but digital channels are creating new expectations around personalisation and rewards.

The numbers tell the story. Restaurant executives estimate digital orders could represent 35% to 50% of total revenue by 2035. This projection reflects fundamental changes in dining behaviour that accelerated during the pandemic and show no signs of reversing.

Menus Are Missing Margin Opportunities

Restaurants are leaving substantial money on the table through poor digital menu design. Beverages represent some of the highest-margin items, yet attachment rates lag significantly behind in-person ordering. 

Globally, only 60% of digital orders include drinks, compared to 75% for traditional orders.

The missed opportunity extends beyond beverages. Analysis of digital menus reveals systematic problems: 80% list fewer than six beverage options, 25% lack any imagery, and 80% fail to offer bundle deals. These gaps represent billions in potential revenue.

The underlying issue is treating digital menus as an afterthought rather than a revenue engine. Restaurants that optimise their digital presence through better imagery, strategic bundling and prominent beverage placement see measurable improvements in average order values. 

Integrated platforms like Liven's Magic App eliminate this problem by connecting menu management directly to POS systems, ensuring digital menus stay current while optimising for higher spend.

Six forces reshaping hospitality

Digital technology is driving six major industry trends that are transforming restaurant operations. Guest engagement is becoming more personalised through digital experiences. Labour models are shifting toward automation and streamlined workflows. Off-premise dining continues expanding through delivery and pickup options.

Restaurants are also addressing changing tastes through rapid menu customisation. Real-time dynamic pricing helps navigate volatile ingredient costs. Channel boundaries are blurring as grocery stores and convenience retailers expand food offerings.

Each trend relies heavily on digital infrastructure. Personalised engagement requires the collection and analysis of customer data. Labour transformation depends on digital ordering systems and kitchen automation. Off-premise growth needs robust delivery and pickup platforms.

The three pillars of digital success

Successful digital ordering platforms deliver three core values: time saving, exclusive deals, and customisation options. Customers want to skip lines, access app-only promotions, and maintain their ordering preferences. Solutions like Liven's Magic App address all three by enabling QR-code access without downloads, built-in loyalty rewards, and seamless payment integration.

Time savings matters most. Users gravitate toward platforms that enable quick reordering of previous purchases and streamlined pickup processes. They abandon apps that create friction or fail to deliver speed advantages over in-person ordering.

Exclusive promotions provide the second pillar. App users expect deals unavailable to walk-in customers. These incentives justify the effort of downloading apps and creating accounts. Without meaningful exclusivity, digital platforms struggle to build loyal user bases. 

To be effective, loyalty and incentive programs must be uniquely branded and offer differentiation. Traditional programs running on platforms branded by a loyalty provider and offering generic incentives are significantly less effective than those provided by Liven, where it is entirely branded and owned by you and infinitely customisable to create exclusivity.

Customisation completes the foundation. Successful platforms remember user preferences, suggest relevant items, and allow for detailed order modifications. This personalisation mirrors the best aspects of in-person service while adding digital convenience.

Operational transformation required

Digital success requires operational changes that extend beyond technology adoption. Restaurants must rethink menu design, kitchen workflows, and staff training. Traditional approaches that work for in-person dining often fail in digital environments.

Menu engineering becomes crucial. Digital platforms like Liven OrderUp, and Zeemart allow extensive testing of item placement, descriptions, and imagery. Restaurants can optimise layouts to drive specific behaviours, such as adding drinks or upgrading portions.

Kitchen operations require adjustment for digital order volumes. Pickup areas need dedicated space and clear signage. Staff need training on managing multiple order channels simultaneously without compromising service quality. Liven Abacus KDS screens accelerate order efficiency and improve kitchen workflows.

Data collection and analysis become essential capabilities. Digital platforms generate detailed insights into customer behaviour that are unavailable through traditional ordering. Restaurants that effectively use this data can personalise experiences and improve retention. Platforms like Liven Insights provide operators with real-time analytics on customer patterns, enabling them to create targeted campaigns through integrated CRM tools like Liven Engage.

The loyalty revolution

Digital platforms enable sophisticated loyalty programs that go beyond simple point accumulation. Modern systems can trigger personalised offers based on ordering history, frequency patterns, and seasonal preferences.

The most effective programs create genuine engagement rather than transactional relationships. They use customer data to deliver relevant rewards and communications. Generic promotions give way to targeted offers that reflect individual preferences. Advanced loyalty systems like Liven's Brandollars create restaurant-specific currencies that bank future spending while providing operators with complete control over redemption terms.

This personalisation drives measurable results. Customers enrolled in well-designed digital loyalty programs visit more frequently and spend more per order. Venues using comprehensive loyalty platforms report average order value increases of 16% and retention improvements exceeding 250%.

Digital ordering represents more than a technological upgrade—it's a fundamental evolution of the business model. Restaurants that treat it as core infrastructure rather than an optional add-on position themselves for sustained growth in an increasingly competitive market.