How Food Retailers Can Push Outdoor Dining Sales This Summer

With the warmer months upon us, outdoor dining is back on the menu - and customers are eager to soak up the sun while enjoying great food and drink. For food retailers, from coffee shops and bakeries to farm shops, pubs and restaurants, this is a prime opportunity to boost sales, build customer loyalty, and create memorable experiences that keep guests coming back.

But with increased footfall and demand comes the need for efficient service, mobile ordering, and seamless operations. That’s where the right EPOS system can make all the difference.

Make it easy with mobile ordering

One of the biggest barriers to maximising outdoor sales is slow or inefficient service. Long queues, forgotten orders, and overworked staff can quickly put a damper on the experience. That’s where Cunninghams comes in! Our Quantum Go mobile EPOS solution empowers your team to take orders and process payments on the go - whether that’s at a garden table, picnic bench, or pop-up outdoor stall.

No more running back and forth to tills or relying on handwritten notes. With Quantum Go, orders go straight to the kitchen or bar, and customers can pay at the table - speeding up service, increasing order accuracy, and improving table turnover.

Offer click & collect or takeaway from outdoor areas

For venues with limited seating or those looking to expand beyond their footprint, adding a click & collect or takeaway option for outdoor areas is a smart move. Whether you're a farm shop offering deli picnics, a bakery with fresh pastries and coffee to go, or a coffee shop with sunny pavement seating, a flexible EPOS system helps you adapt with ease.

Upsell with smart promotions

Outdoor dining is a great time to introduce seasonal specials and promotions. Your EPOS system should allow you to easily create and manage timed offers, loyalty discounts, or upsell prompts – all designed to boost basket value and encourage repeat visits.

For example, a pub or bar might promote a happy hour on drinks or offer a free kids’ meal with every adult main. Or a restaurant could create time-limited lunch deals that are perfect for al fresco dining. With integrated customer data and reporting, you’ll be able see what’s working and fine-tune your promotions accordingly.

Make every seat count

Optimising your outdoor layout is key - but don’t forget about optimising how you serve. You want a system that helps you stay agile, even in unpredictable weather or peak times. That could mean adding extra terminals with ease, introducing pop-up service areas, or reassigning staff to high-demand zones, all while keeping your service running smoothly.

Ready to maximise outdoor sales?

Whether you're running a farm shop, bakery, pub, restaurant or café, switching to Cunninghams gives you the tools to thrive this summer and beyond. From fast, flexible service to smarter promotions and mobile ordering, our comprehensive EPOS solutions are designed to grow with your business.

Make the switch today, contact our helpful team on 0330 024 5014, or email us at info@cunninghams.co.uk.