Blog, News & Events

Blog, News & Events

Learn more about our company, the things we know and the events we attend. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook too for the latest updates.


Preparing for the Single-Use Plastics Ban: Sustainable Packaging Solutions for Restaurants and Takeaways

We understand the importance of sustainable practices in the restaurant and takeaway industry and that's why we want to share with you the latest news from the government regarding the upcoming ban on single-use plastics.

Following in the footsteps of Scotland and Wales in 2022, England is set to ban a range of single-use plastics from restaurants and takeaways from October 2023.

This ban includes cutlery, plates, stirrers, food containers made of expanded polystyrene, cups, and lids made of expanded polystyrene.

The environmental impact

It is estimated that in England, around 2.7 billion pieces of single-use cutlery are used each year and most of these are plastic. Similarly, approximately 721 million single-use plates are also used (yet only 10% of these items are recycled). 

To put that into perspective, if you were to line up all 2.7 billion pieces of cutlery (which measure around 15cm each) they would span the circumference of the earth over eight and a half times!

The impact on your business

With costs already rising substantially in most other areas like gas and food; finding reliable, quality, and cost-effective suppliers for sustainable packaging can also be a challenge.

Choosing the right sustainable packaging materials for your specific needs is often a complex process. Plastic may have been easy to work with and now you will have a variety of materials to consider, each with its own pros and cons. It's important you have a plan B supplier until you are confident in your choice of sustainable packaging (to avoid any negative impact on your customers).

Consider materials like paper, bamboo, cardboard, rice husk, and sugarcane bagasse. Each material has its own unique features and benefits. Remember that just because a material isn't banned, it doesn't mean it's not harmful to the environment.

To avoid any last-minute rush for suppliers, we recommend planning early and establishing your supply chains now. Research and trial new packaging in small batches to ensure that you have plenty of options, experience, and contacts to adapt as the situation progresses. Once you have chosen your sustainable packaging material, get feedback from your customers before committing to a large order.

Don't believe the hype, just because the label says sustainable or recyclable, it might not apply to the whole of the packaging so check to ensure it's legal for use from October 2023.

How ZPos can help

Sustainable packaging is a great marketing opportunity for your brand

Talk to us at ZPos about the many opportunities to align your website branding with physical packaging - branded cardboard boxes and paper bags are a great way for customers to showcase your brand. Loyal customers might even be happy to support your business with your own branded items for reuse (i.e. cups and flasks).

We support the push for eco-friendly practices and are here to assist you with the transition to sustainable packaging. Contact us to learn more about our sustainable packaging solutions and how we can help your business become more environmentally friendly.

COVID Click, Collect & Deliver Promotion

Limited Time COVID Promotion! Start taking orders in 48 hours!* Now from £500 £50.

Whether you’ve a website or not,
we’ll do it all for you!

Our team of Swindon website designers and developers are ready to start working for you today. They’re complimented by a dedicated Menu Entry Team who will maximise your menu and look to increase your average order total. All included in the package.

Website Ordering

Website Ordering

App Ordering

App Ordering

Pay at Table

Pay at Table

Custom Design

Custom Design

website designers and developers

Free Updates

Take orders online

Take orders online within 48 hours*

COVID Compliant Ordering

ZPos are the UK’s leading design, development & marketing agency that’s sole purpose is to build effective websites for restaurants, takeaways, bars, food trucks and dark kitchens. We will add online ordering to your existing website or build you a new one! Then we focus on making it a success.

View full package details
Click and collect online ordering
Simple online ordering websites

Reach New Customers

Taking orders online is more important than ever. Our incredible systems will help you reach out to your existing customers, but also bring you new ones too. We have so many features to help you grow and allow customers to order how they want to, whether that be on desktop, mobile, tablet, games console or at their tables. With features such as customer maps, you’ll see new areas to target.

View full package details

Systems that never get old

The website you have today will not be the website you have in the future! Our UK based development team are constantly releasing new features to keep you one step ahead of your competitors. We automatically make your sites work with any new device which can access the internet.

  • Loyalty points schemes
  • Over 50+ different discount code options
  • Market to your customers using SMS messages☨
  • Send out automated review forms
  • And hundreds more...
Simple online ordering websites

Your customers want to order from you online.

Make it easy for them

With our hassle-free approach to get you up and running. You’ll be head and shoulders above the rest with our enterprise level hosting, secure online payments, mobile & tablet friendly designs and a long list of included features. Take a look at the table below for a more detailed breakdown.

Choose your package

Recommended

Commission

This 'Pay Per Order' option is perfect whilst still growing a client base. All the features, but at a price that suits you.

Unlimited Package

If you’re already online, or know you will be busy, then opt for a fixed price package from £150 p/m.

ZFood Commission Package ZFood Unlimited Package
All prices mentioned on this page are exclusive of VAT. *48 hours is achievable if you’re able to upload a digital menu for us whilst signing up and are available to discuss any follow up questions the team may have. **Minimum monthly service fee of £5. ***Our payments go through our approved payment provider, the user or client with cover these costs. ☨Extra charges may apply.
Important Package Details
Includes graphic design work Checked Icon Checked Icon
Ultra-fast UK servers Checked Icon Checked Icon
Secure online payments Checked Icon Checked Icon
UK based menu entry Checked Icon Checked Icon
Dedicated developers and account managers at your disposal Checked Icon Checked Icon
Website Features
Website & order reports Checked Icon Checked Icon
Full product customisation Checked Icon Checked Icon
Premium deluxe SEO Checked Icon Checked Icon
Discount codes & customer loyalty points Checked Icon Checked Icon
Modern mobile & tablet friendly website designs Checked Icon Checked Icon
Email & SMS customers☨ Checked Icon Checked Icon
Setup Fees
[Option 1] - I have a website, just need an online ordering tool £50
48hrs
£50
48hrs
[Option 2] - I need a new website, and an online ordering tool £150
3 weeks
£150
3 weeks
Monthly Fee Summary**

These fees are inclusive of all main fees, including website labour and payment charges***

7%
From £150

Trusted by start-ups, to multinational franchises

ZPos Trustpilot
ZPos Google Reviews
Deep Blue Restaurant
Perfect Pizza
El Mexicana
Chicken Cottage
Subway

Coming Soon!

This is new for ZPos. Full information coming soon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Online Ordering FAQ

What if I need to cancel or delete an order?

You can delete and cancel orders if you need to, for example if the customer called you and cancelled their order, if the order was a mistake or if it was a test order. The orders are only stored on the GPRS printers so you are in total control of which online orders were real. Please be careful though as if you accidentally delete an order, there is no way of getting it back!

What is online ordering?

ZPos provide Online Ordering Websites. We build cutting edge online ordering websites for the restaurant and takeaway industry. The idea of online ordering (for a takeaway website) is to add e-commerce interactivity for the customer. The idea is to allow a customer to use their internet-enabled device, such as a laptop or mobile phone, to order a takeaway for collection or delivery instead of the traditional phone call. By allowing a customer to order online, both you and the customer will benefit from the streamlined ordering process. They will be able to browse your food menu in their own time and have the ability to customise the food, then pay online.

The typical takeaway online ordering process would be as follows:

  1. Customer searches internet for something like "pizza takeaway in london", they would then find your online ordering website in the list of search results.
  2. The customer would look at your website and enter their postcode to ensure they are in your delivery area.
  3. The customers browses your menu online, this includes all your options and possible customisations and adds items to their order.
  4. After they have chosen their food, they would proceed to a checkout where they would enter their contact information and choose the method of payment.
  5. If they choose to pay by card for their online takeaway order then they would be taken to the bank's website to pay.
  6. The order would be then completed and your customer would receive a confirmation email. You would receive notification too (by your chosen means; email, SMS, fax, phone call or auto printed on a GPRS printer).
  7. You deliver the food (or allow customer to collect).
  8. You then have the customer's contact information for your future marketing efforts to gain loyal customers.

There are some other online ordering website providers for takeaways however most of them are very basic and underdeveloped; often made offshore in another country by amateur web developers. There is no other product/service like ours, this is why so many takeaway owners and resellers rely on us. We have many resellers in the UK whom use our system as their own and you wouldn't even know it! So well done to you for finding the source of the best online ordering websites for restaurant and takeaways.

What is the length of your contracts

We do not believe in contracts, we believe in piece of mind. You should not be locked into an online ordering website services that isn't working for you. If we were to enforce a contract and for whatever reason you were not happy, the remaining time of your contract would be unpleasant for both you and us. We depend on good worth of mouth advertising and as such we will do whatever we can to not get into any conflicts. Our product and service is so good, there shouldn't be a reason to leave, but if you do want to go elsewhere for an online ordering website for your takeaway, all we would ask is a chance to make you happy, if we can't then we will do everything to help you move. Whereas we do not provide a contract length as standard, by doing so may result in a better price.

Are you like Just-Eat, Hungry House, Takeaway.com etc.

No. These companies are great at what they do however we are not like them. We do facilitate online ordering however we do it under your own name, brand and colours without promoting your competitors. We also charge a lot less than these companies. The named companies are known as "food portals" and are essentially a yellow pages directory with very basic (but expensive) ordering features. We work for you, helping you to gain more business and succeed in your restaurant venture with your own online ordering website. You can still use these portals but make sure you have your own site so you can get customers to order direct from you so you save money and control your customer's ordering experience.

Do I need a PC or broadband Internet?

No. We can send you the orders in so many ways. Of course, you can get Internet in your shop if you want, and if you do so you can view your orders online, but it is unnecessary. The most common way to receive online orders is via email, however this is not good enough as far as we are concerned. We provide a GPRS, 3G or WiFi online ordering printer which is completely standalone. The device fits neatly on the counter or in the kitchen, they can be set to print multiple copies if needed.

How much does online ordering cost?

It's up to you. We have priced our packages to suit any budget or preference in payment. Are you a new to online ordering? Then you can choose to pay a low commission on your online sales whilst you build up your online orders. When you get a lot of orders, or if you would prefer it from the start, we can put you on a fixed price monthly package which still includes your licence fee, support, hosting, domain name, email, SEO and service. You won't find another company doing what we do for cheaper, but if you find another company doing something similar then we might consider a price match, or even beat it. The best thing to do is contact us and we can work out what the cheapest option for you is.

Can I edit my website to update prices or pictures?

Yes. As part of your subscription, we will do your menu updates for you or add the images however you have the power to do this yourself easily too with your special control panel. From here, you can actually change your websites colours, fonts, logo, colours, pictures, icons, social media, menu items, special offers, voucher codes, loyalty schemes, gift certificates, orders and more!

Can you handle franchises & multiple branches?

Yes. We love multiple branches and can support your business with as much or as little help as you need to oversee your online ordering website. Some larger takeaway franchises would like to maintain their site which is fine, whereas some would like to rely on a professional company like us to manage it for them. We can set you up with emails and a franchise management portal so you can oversee all your shop's orders and data. We can send payments for the online orders to each of your branches individually each week and completely remove any hassle you may incur elsewhere. When a shop has multiple branches, the customer is greeted with a postcode box, coupled with a map based branch locator. To make it easier, our systems can use the customer devices' GPS features to locate their closest branch without them even having to do anything!

Will my website be based on a template?

No. We take pride in building a bespoke design just for you. Some larger companies will spend tens of thousands on a design however we include it as part of our £99 setup fee! This doesn't mean you get a substandard design, we believe you should have a great website design no matter what your budget is. In fact, if you want your site to look like someone else's then we will more than happily make it similar (whilst adhering to copyright law). If you want a template design then fine however we do not recommend it. Other companies will charge you a lot for just copy and pasting another one of their existing sites. Not only are you being ripped off but you also look exactly like another company!

How long does it take to complete?

This will vary depending on our workload and what your requirements are. Typically, it takes us 2 days to create a beautiful design for you, when you are happy with your design we will then build it. The build process takes around 7 days as we don't want to rush the design and we take a lot of care with your website - it needs to look great for the orders to pile in! It takes us about 4 days to enter your menu properly. We don't just type your menu as is, we try to find the best way to show it off online with extra options and more, it really is a puzzle to do properly. We can normally work on the menu and build at the same time. Then it goes through our checking and testing process which usually takes about 2 days. From start to finish you can expect a 2 - 3 week lead time however if you need it sooner or later we can either rush it or delay it's development as appropriate.

Will the website work on mobile phones/tablets?

Yes. As part of your online ordering website, we also build you a mobile website, tablet website and also an Xbox optimised website at no extra cost. Customers can order takeaway online using any of these devices.

Do you offer your services to my location?

Yes we do. We currently have 3 offices across the UK and we also have staff who can come to see you if you like. The great thing with websites and digital services is that all of it can be done over the internet and phone. We can discuss designs over the phone and email you samples, you can view your website whilst it is in development too. Our software is ready to serve the rest of the world too and we have proven this with providing our services to takeaways/restaurants in other countries.

Can you add online ordering to my existing website?

Yes we can. We can give you one line of code to add to your website which will put an "Order Online" button wherever you want. Or, we can give you a few more lines of code (which we can add for you) that will make a new page on your site. It usually works out better though (and doesn't cost you extra) for us to remake the website and match the existing one's colours and pages.

Why should I get an online ordering website?

Online ordering is the way forward for both you and the customer. We can help you save time and make a lot more money in a short space of time. Here are some other reasons why you should get an online ordering website for your takeaway:

  1. Your competitors will get one and customers will use them if you do not have one, which would mean you could lose your regular customers
  2. Gain new customers who are searching the internet for takeaways in their area
  3. Save money by not having to distribute printer paper leaflets
  4. Your staff have more time to make and deliver orders as they won't be wasting time on the phone
  5. Customers can browse your menu online and order easily
  6. Build your brand image
  7. Less to no mistakes when taking orders, there will be no language barriers or miscommunication as the order instructions will print in black and white
  8. Reduce costs from online ordering portals by encouraging customers to order from you instead, you do not want to be in a position where you rely on other companies to give you the customers as they can easily take them away if they want to promote another takeaway in your area
  9. Easily up sell products to your customers with items and options they may not even know about
  10. Capture customer data for future marketing or order/product analysis
  11. Quickly promote products that you need to get rid of quickly

EPoS FAQ

What is EPoS?

EPoS is an acronym for Electronic Point Of Sale. If you are serious about your business then you need to have a good EPoS behind the scenes of your restaurant or takeaway. Without EPoS your business will be subjected to unreliable hand written orders and manual calculations. A decent EPoS will provide you with order and customer management with automatic cash-ups and sales reporting. The term EPoS (Also written as epos, EPos and Epos), refers to both hardware and software as one entity. You can buy EPoS software and EPoS hardware independently.

EPoS hardware will normally consist of:

  • 15" or 17" touch screen monitor
  • Desktop computer (or an integrated all in one pc)
  • Receipt thermal printer (usually 80mm thermal, or 76mm dot matrix)
  • CallerID unit
  • Sometimes they will have a rear customer screen or pole mounts

In theory, if you have a piece of software installed on any device that can take orders, then you have an EPoS! For more information, please see our EPoS page.