Lightspeed Commerce Inc. has announced the beta launch of three new tools within their Lightspeed Restaurant platform, aimed at empowering restaurateurs to drive efficiency and optimize guest experiences.
The new suite of tools, called Lightspeed Tempo, Lightspeed Tasks, and Lightspeed Reservations, is designed to streamline front to back-of-house communication and alignment, while also providing data-driven insights to help operators stay ahead of customer demands and expectations.
According to a recent study, approximately 20% of UK diners have left a restaurant due to slow service, and 75% consider service pace to be very important during a meal out. With Lightspeed Tempo, operators can take the guesswork out of service timing by using an intuitive dashboard to optimize pacing, increase table turnover, and deliver a more seamless dining experience.
In the future, Tempo will be integrated with the POS and Kitchen Display System (KDS) to provide real-time table status updates and kitchen pacing, bridging the gap between front-and back-of-house.
Lightspeed Tasks, on the other hand, is a digital checklist that helps operators prioritize tasks and maintain consistent operations. This tool allows restaurateurs to create repeatable tasks, from opening and closing duties to cleaning protocols, across one or multiple locations. Staff members receive reminders via SMS or email and can complete tasks on their mobile devices through the Lightspeed Pulse app. This feature also provides management with real-time completion logs and urgent item notifications.
Additionally, Lightspeed Reservations integrates bookings and table management for independent restaurants. With ~11% of Brits rarely or never booking a table when eating out and 46% preferring restaurants that offer online booking, this tool offers a cost-effective and simple solution for restaurateurs. With built-in automated reminders and the option to take deposits, operators can improve guest experiences and reduce no-shows, maximizing revenue opportunities.
Liam Crooks, MD of EMEA Hospitality at Lightspeed, commented on the launches, stating, “We’re coming up to the busiest season in the hospitality industry, which continues to face challenges like staff shortages and elevated costs. With ~44% of UK diners reporting that a consistent experience is key when eating out, our latest innovations were built to help restaurateurs streamline operations and provide actionable insights. In turn, this allows them to focus on what matters most: delivering an exceptional guest experience and retaining footfall during the busy festive season and beyond.”
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.