Schooled! 5 Important Lessons I Learned From Fast Food

As a ready meal service that caters to the aged, one might say that?Hearty Health?is the exact opposite of fast food.

Yes, we do offer quick and easy-to-prepare meals. But the menu, the ingredients, the food prep, and order/delivery procedures are very different. Subscribing to a ready meal delivery service isn’t exactly the same as ordering a to-go meal or delivery from the local burger joint down the block.?

However, I will admit. There are some things I learned from the fast-food industry. It’s true what they say; life is full of learning experiences. And I genuinely came to a couple of realisations from watching the food industry that I then implemented into my business.

So! Here’s what I, a fresh-and-healthy meal delivery service owner, learnt from fast-food chains:

1. Burger King’s Got the Right Attitude

Burger King may have swapped out their iconic “Have it Your Way” slogan for the more personal “Be Your Way” catchphrase, but the thought remains: what the customer wants, the customer gets.

I’m not saying to outright let them be demanding.

But I?am?saying that adjusting or modifying certain aspects of your products/services (when possible!) to fit the client’s request can work in your favour.

Everyone appreciates being accommodated, and that appreciation can lead to repeat, loyal clientele.

2. Pop Up Anywhere and Everywhere You Can

The convenience of fast-food chains remains one of the biggest reasons why people continue to favour them. It’s not solely about the price and it’s certainly not only about the taste. It’s about the availability. No matter what city, country, or area you find yourself in, you’re bound to find a fast-food restaurant that you’re familiar with. McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy’s, KFC … truly, these are the food industry giants you’ll find anywhere.

Follow their example by making yourself available on literally any platform you can possibly think of. A website optimised for different devices, an official page on all social media networks, an email?and?phone number for contact, and so on.

It’s about making yourself accessible to your current and potential market!

3. If It Tastes Good, People Are Happy

People still crave greasy burgers, fried chicken, and salty French fries. Do they care that the ingredients aren’t the freshest? Well, yes. A lot of people do now that everyone’s a little more aware of their health. But in a pinch? A drive-thru order is enough to leave you full and satisfied when there’s literally no time to food prep.

Moral of the story? Of course, we at?Hearty Health?are always going to advocate for fresh, organic ingredients. They pay off in the long run. But we’re not denying that sometimes customer’s don’t care about details.

Sometimes they just need something done quickly and to their standards. And that’s okay.

That also leads me to my next point:

4. Match the Customer’s Pace

There’s no denying that modern life moves fast—especially in urban areas. When it comes to an exchange of goods/services for cash, people want to receive what they ordered sooner rather than later—keeping a customer waiting beyond what is a reasonable amount of time? Big no-no.?

To clarify, it is?never?okay to compromise quality for speed. However, do keep the pace of life in mind when reviewing production pace.

It’s less about doing things quickly and more about doing things efficiently. This is easier said than done, but I promise; streamlining your procedures will be worth it.?

5. Super-Saver Budget Meals Are Always Appreciated

Why do buy-one-get-one deals always work? Bulk buy discounts? “Buy 2 save $X” promos? Extreme couponing? Simple: people love a good deal. Even if the difference isn’t as hefty as it could be, customers still see it as savings and are, therefore, more likely to get it.?

Giving your customers the option of buying a “budget meal” or a “savers pack”?and?telling them how much they’ll save is usually a great way to keep them happy and well-sated. I also recommend rewarding loyalty with bigger savings to increase retention rate. If it works for McDonald’s, it’ll work for you.

These points aren’t just for businesses in the food industry, by the way.

Things like increasing availability, accommodating customers, and rewarding loyalty can yield great dividends for almost any company in almost any industry!?

When I'm not blogging here I'm heading up the team at Hearty Health meal delivery. Find out more about the work we do here.