Key Takeaways

Online orders have 20% higher average ticket values compared to phone orders, according to restaurant industry data
Visual menus with food images increase order value by 30% by triggering appetite appeal and reducing decision friction
Smart upsell suggestions at checkout boost average orders by 25% when presented at the right moment
Order confirmation SMS reduces “where’s my order” calls by 60%, freeing up staff for customer service

The restaurant industry has permanently shifted toward digital ordering. According to the National Restaurant Association, 60% of restaurant orders now originate online or through apps. For independent restaurants competing against platforms like DoorDash and Uber Eats (and their hefty fees), having your own optimized order forms is essential.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to create restaurant order forms that increase sales, reduce errors, and keep customers coming back.

Why Your Own Ordering System Matters

Third-party delivery apps charge 15-30% commission on every order. For a restaurant operating on thin margins, that’s often the difference between profit and loss.

Benefits of direct ordering:

Keep 100% of order value instead of paying platform fees
Own customer data for marketing and loyalty programs
Control the experience from ordering to delivery
Build brand loyalty rather than platform loyalty
Set your own delivery zones and times

The key is making your direct ordering experience as smooth as the apps customers are used to.

Essential Elements of Restaurant Order Forms

People eat with their eyes first. Your order form should showcase your food appealingly.

Best practices:

High-quality photos for each menu item
Consistent image style and sizing
Brief, appetizing descriptions
Clear pricing with any variations
Dietary icons (vegetarian, gluten-free, spicy)

Studies show that menus with photos increase order value by 30% compared to text-only menus. The investment in food photography pays for itself quickly.

2. Easy Customization Options

Customers expect to modify orders. Make customization intuitive:

Standard customizations:

Protein choices (for bowls, salads)
Size options (small, medium, large)
Add-ons with clear pricing
Removal of ingredients (no onions, etc.)
Preparation preferences (spice level, doneness)

Form implementation:

Use checkboxes for add-ons
Radio buttons for single selections
Clear price implications (+$2.00)
Free-text field for special requests

3. Smart Upselling

Strategic suggestions can significantly increase average order value without feeling pushy.

Effective upsell moments:

Item addition: “Add bacon to your burger? (+$2)”
Combo suggestion: “Make it a combo with fries and drink for $4 more”
Checkout prompt: “Don’t forget dessert!”
Order review: “Add a side of ranch?”

Position your highest-margin items as suggestions. Data shows suggested items are selected 25% of the time when presented contextually.

4. Clear Order Summary

Before checkout, show a complete order review:

All items with quantities
All customizations
Individual item prices
Subtotal
Tax (if applicable)
Delivery fee (if applicable)
Discount codes applied
Final total

Allow easy quantity adjustments and item removal from this screen.

Types of Restaurant Order Forms

Takeout Order Form

Takeout is straightforward: customer orders, pays, and picks up.

Essential fields:

Customer name
Phone number
Email (for confirmation)
Order items with customizations
Pickup time selection
Special instructions
Payment information

Workflow:

Order submitted
Kitchen receives ticket
Order prepared
Customer notified when ready
Customer picks up

Delivery Order Form

Delivery adds complexity with addresses, zones, and timing.

Additional fields:

Delivery address (with validation)
Apartment/unit number
Delivery instructions (“Leave at door”)
Delivery time preference
Driver tip option

Considerations:

Define delivery zones with different fees
Set minimum order amounts for delivery
Block orders outside delivery hours
Calculate accurate delivery estimates

Catering Order Form

Catering orders are larger, more complex, and need advance planning.

Form structure:

Event date and time
Number of guests
Event type (corporate, wedding, etc.)
Menu selections (often package-based)
Dietary restrictions summary
Setup and service needs
Contact information
Budget indication

Catering forms often work better as inquiry forms that lead to phone consultations for customization.

Table Reservation with Pre-Order

Combine reservations with advance ordering to streamline service.

Fields:

Date and time
Party size
Seating preference
Pre-order selection (optional)
Special occasions
Dietary restrictions

Pre-ordering reduces wait times and increases average checks since customers order thoughtfully rather than quickly.

Mobile Optimization for Restaurant Forms

70% of restaurant website traffic comes from mobile devices. Your forms must be mobile-first.

Design Requirements

Touch-friendly interface:

Large buttons (at least 44px)
Adequate spacing between elements
Easy quantity adjustment (+ and - buttons)
Swipe-friendly menu navigation

Fast performance:

Optimize image sizes
Minimize form complexity
Load menu items progressively
Cache repeat customer data

Payment Experience

Mobile payment options:

Apple Pay and Google Pay integration
Saved payment methods for repeat customers
Quick checkout for logged-in users

Digital wallets reduce checkout time dramatically and increase conversion rates on mobile.

Location Features

Leverage mobile capabilities:

Auto-detect location for delivery
Show distance to restaurant
Provide directions integration
Send pickup notifications based on proximity

Building an Efficient Kitchen Workflow

Your order form should integrate with kitchen operations.

Order Routing

Send orders directly to where they’re needed:

Kitchen display system (KDS) for food preparation
Thermal printer for tickets
POS integration for sales tracking
Inventory system for stock updates

Order Timing

Manage kitchen capacity effectively:

Set preparation time estimates per item
Limit orders during busy periods
Offer time slots for scheduled orders
Send realistic ready times to customers

Order Accuracy

Reduce errors with clear communication:

Print special instructions prominently
Highlight allergen modifications
Use consistent naming conventions
Enable kitchen staff to flag issues

Increasing Average Order Value

Menu engineering principles:

Place highest-margin items prominently
Use decoy pricing to guide choices
Create combo deals that increase spend
Highlight popular items with badges

Cross-Selling Techniques

Suggest complementary items:

Appetizers when ordering entrees
Beverages with food orders
Desserts at checkout
Sides to complete meals

Minimum Order Incentives

Encourage larger orders:

Free delivery above $X
Discount code unlock at threshold
Free item with minimum order
Loyalty points multiplier

Customer Communication

Keep customers informed throughout the order process.

Order Confirmation

Send immediately upon order submission:

Order summary with all items
Estimated ready/delivery time
Order number for reference
Contact information for questions

Status Updates

SMS notifications for:

Order received confirmation
Order being prepared
Order ready for pickup
Driver on the way (delivery)
Delivered confirmation

Proactive communication reduces anxiety and support calls.

Feedback Request

After order completion:

Send feedback request via email
Keep survey brief (1-3 questions)
Respond quickly to negative feedback
Use positive reviews for marketing

Integrating with Restaurant Systems

Point of Sale (POS) Integration

Connect order forms to your POS system:

Toast - Popular cloud POS
Square - Versatile with strong online tools
Clover - Good for multi-location
Lightspeed - Strong inventory features

Loyalty Programs

Build repeat business:

Points per dollar spent
Visit-based rewards
Birthday and anniversary perks
Referral bonuses

Marketing Automation

Turn orders into ongoing relationships:

Welcome series for first-time customers
Re-engagement for lapsed customers
New menu item announcements
Special event promotions

Handling Special Dietary Needs

Allergens and dietary restrictions are critical to get right.

Clear Allergen Information

For each menu item:

List common allergens
Use universal icons
Allow customers to flag allergies
Route allergy orders for special handling

Dietary Filters

Enable filtering by:

Vegetarian
Vegan
Gluten-free
Dairy-free
Nut-free
Halal/Kosher

Kitchen Protocols

Ensure form data reaches kitchen:

Highlight allergen orders visibly
Separate preparation when needed
Train staff on cross-contamination
Document allergen handling

Measuring Order Form Performance

Track these metrics to optimize your forms:

Metric	Benchmark	Improvement Strategy
Conversion Rate	15-25%	Simplify checkout
Cart Abandonment	30-40%	Add payment options
Average Order Value	Track trend	Add upsells
Order Accuracy	95%+	Improve form clarity
Customer Return Rate	25-40%	Implement loyalty

A/B Testing Ideas

Test variations to improve performance:

Menu item ordering and grouping
Photo styles and sizes
Upsell timing and placement
Checkout flow steps
Button text and colors

FAQ

How can I reduce online order errors at my restaurant?

Clear customization options with checkboxes and dropdowns prevent most errors compared to free-text fields. Display an order summary requiring confirmation before payment. Send confirmation emails with complete order details so customers can verify. Train kitchen staff to clarify unclear special instructions by contacting customers directly.

What’s the best way to handle peak hour ordering?

Implement order throttling that limits orders during busy periods or extends preparation times automatically. Offer scheduled ordering so customers can place lunch orders in the morning. Use time slots instead of ASAP for better kitchen management. Consider pausing online orders temporarily during extreme rushes.

Should I offer both pickup and delivery on the same form?

Yes, but use conditional logic to show relevant fields. When pickup is selected, show pickup time slots and store location. When delivery is selected, show address fields, delivery fee, and minimum order requirements. This keeps the form streamlined for each order type.

How do I integrate online orders with my kitchen display system?

Most modern KDS systems accept orders via API or email. Form builders can send order data to systems like Fresh KDS, QSR Automations, or your POS’s built-in display. Alternatively, orders can trigger thermal printer tickets. Ensure the order format matches your kitchen’s ticket layout.

What payment methods should I accept for online orders?

Accept major credit cards plus Apple Pay and Google Pay for mobile convenience. Consider adding PayPal for customers who prefer it. For delivery, decide whether to accept cash and how drivers handle it. Prepayment for pickup eliminates no-shows and speeds up the pickup process.

Start Taking Online Orders Today

An optimized order form is your restaurant’s most valuable digital asset. By implementing visual menus, easy customization, smart upselling, and seamless mobile checkout, you can compete with delivery platforms while keeping more revenue and building direct customer relationships.

Key principles to remember:

Make your menu visual and appetizing
Simplify customization and modifications
Integrate with kitchen systems for accuracy
Communicate proactively throughout the process
Build loyalty through excellent digital experiences

Ready to increase your restaurant’s online orders? Create your restaurant order form with Pixelform and start converting more website visitors into hungry customers.