Yelp, the business review site and restaurant technology provider, is beefing up its tech tools for restaurants.
For the first time, it is bundling an array of front-of-house software into a single system as well as integrating with two big tech providers to boost connectivity within restaurants.
The new product, called Yelp Guest Manager, is intended to help restaurants streamline operations as they juggle the needs of both on- and off-premise customers.
The system includes the following software:
- Reservations & Waitlist: Allows restaurants to accept reservations and waitlist requests via their Yelp page.
- Table management: Gives hosts and servers custom floor maps and sections.
- Takeout: Allows restaurants to track pickup orders and text guests when their food is ready.
- Kiosk: Available as an add-on to Guest Manager, this allows guests to check themselves into a digital waitlist and get text notifications on their table status.
Pricing starts at $249 a month for unlimited covers.
Though it is known by consumers as a place to find and review restaurants, Yelp has seen strong uptake of its restaurant-facing tech tools recently. Adoption of its front-of-house software increased by 69% in August 2021 compared to the same month in 2020, the company said.
Yelp is also integrating the system with two of the largest tech suppliers in the industry—Punchh and Olo—to power loyalty programs and online ordering, respectively.
The Punchh integration will allow restaurants to provide loyalty programs through Yelp Guest Manager. Staff can draw on data such as seating preferences, lifetime visits, birthdays and anniversaries to offer a more personalized experience.
Yelp's integration with Punchh will allow restaurants to see detailed customer information within the Guest Manager. / Image courtesy of Yelp
And for restaurants that use Olo for online ordering and delivery, those orders will flow directly into Yelp's system, where they can be monitored and managed.
Orders processed by Olo can be managed in the Yelp Guest Manager via a new integration. / Image courtesy of Yelp
Also on Wednesday, Yelp said it will allow ghost kitchens and virtual brands to identify themselves as such on their Yelp pages with a new "Virtual Restaurant" attribute. The company said the tag will help reduce confusion among guests by communicating that the restaurant is available for delivery or takeout only.
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