Restaurant ordering technology glossary

Terms and definitions

QR ordering

A method where the customer scans a QR code at the table or on the package with their phone to reach a digital menu and order. No app download is needed; the menu opens in the browser.

Digital menu

An electronic menu that shows the business's items with photos, descriptions and prices on a phone, tablet or screen, updated instantly from a single panel.

Restaurant POS

Point of Sale software; it takes orders, processes payments, manages items and prices and produces sales reports.

Kitchen display system (KDS)

A system that shows incoming orders on a digital screen in the kitchen, replacing paper tickets and speeding up the preparation flow.

White-label ordering

A ready ordering platform offered under the business's own brand, logo and domain; technical maintenance stays with the provider while the brand belongs to the business.

Commission

The percentage cut a marketplace or intermediary takes on each order. On food apps it typically ranges from 10% to 35% of the order amount.

Commission-free ordering

A model where the business pays no revenue commission on orders through its own channel; instead there is a fixed/monthly fee or free setup.

Marketplace

An intermediary ordering platform that aggregates many businesses in one app (e.g. food apps). It provides visibility but charges commission per order and keeps customer data.

Restaurant Commerce Platform

An end-to-end commerce platform that unifies a restaurant's web, mobile, QR, table, takeaway and marketplace orders in one panel, integrating menu, payment, delivery and reporting.

Contactless ordering

A method where the customer reaches a digital menu via QR and completes the order — and often payment — from their own phone, with no printed menu or physical contact.

Multi-branch management

Managing the menu, prices, orders and reports of multiple branches of chain and franchise businesses from a central panel.

Delivery management

The process and software that organize delivering orders: defining zones and fees, assigning couriers, estimating time and tracking the order live.

Loyalty program

A system that rewards repeat customers with points, discounts or gifts; it works on order data and increases customer retention.

Online payment

Securely collecting the order amount over the internet via card, digital wallet or bank integration.

Summary