Shopify for Restaurants: A Complete Guide From Setup To Sales

Running a restaurant is no easy job. Between managing staff, creating mouthwatering dishes, and Running a restaurant is no easy job. Between managing staff, creating mouthwatering dishes, and keeping customers happy, there’s already a lot on your plate. However, with the world going digital, having just a physical location might not be enough. More people now like to order food online. They browse digital menus and book tables using their smartphones.

The good news is that now, with Shopify Development Services, you can take your restaurant online. Shopify isn’t just for selling clothes, electronics, or gadgets; it can also transform how you run your food business. It offers tools to help you set up an online store, manage online food orders, streamline local delivery, and even handle payments with ease.

So, in this blog, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about using Shopify for restaurants. We’ll give you detailed steps to set up a Shopify store for your restaurant. Let’s dive in!

Why Should You Take Your Food Business Online?

The transformation of the restaurant industry from a digital to an online presence is huge. While dine-in service matters, today’s customers prefer the comfort of ordering from home. Modern diners want to observe a menu, place an order, and pay through their smartphones or PCs. 

Building an online presence for restaurant owners is not an option, but rather, it is essential for reaching today’s tech-savvy customers and remaining competitive.

Some top reasons why your food business needs an online presence include:

Reach More Customers

With an online store, your restaurant isn’t limited by location. You can attract customers from your local area, boost food delivery services, or even offer pickup options. People searching for “food near me” online will be more likely to find you if your restaurant has a digital presence.

Offer Convenient Online Ordering

Customers love convenience. People can now visit the menu and place their orders while specifying their payment methods, thanks to online ordering. No more calling over the phone to place an order; everything is done quickly and easily without the hassle!

Boost Sales with Delivery and Takeout

Online food orders have grown a lot in recent years. This is true for both pickups and local delivery. When you give the option to order online, you can tap into this growing trend and increase your restaurant’s revenue.

Build Your Brand Online

Your online store can do a lot more than take orders for food. It is a platform for the promotion of your brand. Share your story. Show off your best dishes. Build real connections with customers using your website and social media. This will evoke customer loyalty that will keep them coming back time and time again.

Improve Customer Experience

Being present online means you are able to offer features that would enhance the customer experience.

• Send confirmations when you place an order.
• Track your deliveries easily.
• Enjoy many payment options.

You are able to collect email addresses for marketing purposes too, such as sharing offers and discounts.

Stay Competitive

Many restaurants have already taken their business online. You can do the same thing in order to be competitive. You can create a restaurant order system with Shopify. This lets you receive orders, change menu items, and handle payments easily through the Shopify admin dashboard.

Easy to Get Started

An online store does not need to be very complicated. Shopify offers simple website tools and a free trial to start. It also has templates made just for restaurants. The restaurant can go online in no time and definitely does not need advanced technical skills to do so.

Taking your food business online is a smart move. It helps you grow, makes things easier for customers, and keeps you relevant in our fast-paced digital world.

Pros and Cons of Shopify for Restaurants

When you are planning to use Shopify for your restaurant, you should first consider the pros and cons. Of course, setting up and running an online food business with Shopify can make it easier. But it has its shortcomings.

So, let’s discuss what the platform can do for your restaurant and where it falls short.

Pros of Using Shopify for Restaurants

The list of pros includes:

• Easy Setup and User-Friendly Tools: Shopify setup is easy. It offers user-friendly tools. Setting up menu items, online ordering, and payments is easy with Shopify.
• Multiple Sales Channels: Shopify allows you to access very different sales channels. You can set up an online store, local delivery, etc., while maintaining visibility on social media. This way, you can widen your customer base and increase your revenue.
• Customizable Themes: There are many Shopify themes for restaurants. Whether you run a fine-dining restaurant, a café, or a food truck, there’s a theme in the Shopify Theme Store that can match your brand’s vibe.
• Shopify POS Integration: Managing in-store sales and online revenue is simple with Shopify POS (Point of Sale). You can work on both types of orders, keep track of your stock changes in real time, and have more efficiency overall.
• Access to Shopify Apps: There are many apps in Shopify’s app store for your restaurant. Shopify apps for restaurant websites can boost customer experience and streamline operations. They offer features like local delivery tracking and loyalty programs.
• Secure Payment Options: Shopify provides secure, reliable payment gateways. Customers can choose their preferred payment method, making online transactions smooth and secure.
• Free Trial to Get Started: If you are still on the fence about committing to Shopify, start with a free trial, check out its features, and see if it fits your restaurant.

Cons of Using Shopify for Restaurants

The list of cons includes:

• Transaction Fees: A transaction fee is applied if you are not using Shopify Payments. For restaurant owners who process a lot of small orders, this fee can add up.
  
• Limited Niche Features: While Shopify is adaptable, it was not exactly built with restaurants in mind. Some features, like table reservation systems and kitchen management, rely on third-party apps.
  
• App Costs Can Add Up: Shopify has several beneficial apps; some charge additional fees. That’s when expenses go up since you would be required to purchase multiple apps for delivery, menu customization, or marketing.
  
• Learning Curve for Customization: Shopify is easy to learn. But, for advanced customizations, like changing the theme code, some technical knowledge is needed.
  
• Monthly Subscription Fees: Shopify isn’t free after the trial. You’ll need to choose a monthly subscription plan. For small restaurants on a tight budget, this can be a consideration.

Shopify offers many benefits for restaurant owners. It helps them sell online, provide local delivery, and manage orders easily. However, it’s essential to consider the costs, app add-ons, and your specific business needs before making a decision.

Setting Up Shopify for Restaurants

The process of setting up Shopify for an eCommerce restaurant website is simple. Let’s take a look at it.

Sign up with Shopify

To start setting up your account on Shopify, one should head straight to the Shopify website and hit the “Start Free Trial” button. A prompt will come up requesting your email address, password, and the name of your store.

Choose a name for your store that represents the identity of the restaurant. It could be the name of your restaurant or some catchy name that customers will remember easily.

Select a Shopify Theme

Once you’ve signed in, your next step is to select a Shopify theme for your restaurant’s online store. A theme will dictate how your store will look and function; hence, it is a vital component of the user experience of your website.

Shopify offers free and premium themes. You can choose one that fits your restaurant’s style, branding, and menu layout.

While selecting your theme, consider the kind of experience you want to provide for your customers. Do you want a fresh, clean, minimalistic design that highlights your dishes? Or do you prefer something captivating and colorful?

You could search for themes made for the food business. They usually include features like a menu display, an image gallery, and a built-in search function.

Once you have settled on a theme, click on the “Add Theme” or “Customize” button to install it. That will take you to the theme editor on Shopify, where you can edit the colors, fonts, images, and layout settings.

You may also add sections about your menu, promotions, and testimonials. Spend your time tailor-fitting the theme to your restaurant’s special identity.

Add Required Pages for Your Restaurant

Every restaurant website needs essential pages to provide customers with important information. These pages help build trust, improve user experience, and make your online store look professional. Some key pages to add are:

• About Us: Tell your restaurant’s story! Let the customer know what makes your food special, delve into its history, and begin to introduce your chefs. Customers love to know about the people behind their favorite food.
  
• Contact Page: Include your restaurant’s phone number, email, and physical address on the contact page. A contact form makes it easier for customers to reach you.
  
• Menu Page: A separate page for your whole menu. Even if customers can order from your store directly, you may have mouthwatering photos, descriptions, and even a special offer.
  
• Delivery Page: This dedicated page is for those who offer local delivery or curbside pickup.
  • Delivery area.
  • Fees.
  • Estimated delivery time.
  • Minimum order requirement.
    
• Feedback Page: A Feedback Page provides a venue for your diners regarding their experience in dining or ordering. The collection of comments also aids in understanding the areas that can be improved and also garners the attention of those deemed to be valued customers.
  
• FAQ Page: Questions about the delivery process of your restaurant, payment modes, opening hours, and more. This prevents any kind of confusion among the customers, thus generating satisfaction.
  
• Legal Page: Create privacy policy, refund & return policy, and terms & conditions page. Such kinds of legal pages can easily be built using Shopify.

You can add these pages by going to your Shopify admin dashboard, selecting “Online Store,” and clicking on “Pages.” From there, you can create and customize each page to match your brand.

Build a Digital Menu and Upload Items as Products

Shopify will enable you to create a product for your restaurant’s menu items. After this, your customers can browse through the online menu and add items to the cart for an online order.

To activate your digital menu, go to the Products section in the Shopify Admin. Click “Add Product” and begin uploading the items in your menu individually. Here are some things you fill in for every item:

• Product Name: Use dish names, such as “Margherita Pizza” or “Spicy Chicken Wings.”
  
• Description: Compose a luscious description of the dish with a few key ingredients and flavor pointers.
  
• Images: You have uploaded high-resolution pictures for your menu items. For this Industry, visuals are very important as they tempt one’s dish.
  
• Price: Enter the price for it. In case you have more than one size (small, medium, large), mark different prices according to those using the variant feature in Shopify.
  
• Inventory and SKU: If applicable, you could manage inventory to oversee how many of the items you possess in stock.

After adding your final menu items, group them by category. Use sections like Appetizers, Main Courses, and Desserts. This makes it easier for customers to find what they want.

Once finished with adding your final menu items, do not forget to group them into sections by category (Appetizers, Main Courses, Desserts, and so on) for ease of access to the items listed within your menu for the customer.

Configure Deliver and Pickup Options

One of the key advantages of taking your restaurant online is the ability to offer delivery and pickup. Shopify makes it easy to set up these options so customers can choose how they want to receive their food.

To enable delivery and pickup, go to the “Settings” tab in your Shopify admin and select “Shipping and Delivery.” From here, you can configure:

• Local Delivery: Configure delivery zones while considering the location of your restaurant. You may define delivery costs, minimum order value, and estimated delivery times.
  
• Local Pickup: Allow customers to order online and pick up food from your restaurant. This option reduces wait times and maximizes efficiency.
  
• Shipping Options (if applicable): If you want to ship non-perishable food products, you can easily set shipping rates as well.

Providing options like curbside pickup, contactless delivery, and in-store pickup improves the customer experience. This also helps the business upsell.

Setup Payment Options

Customers really appreciate it when you give them different payment options. This is where Shopify comes in to help you set all kinds of different payment options according to all possible customer choices. 

Access your Shopify admin and click on ‘Settings,’ then click on ‘Payments.’ You can activate:

• Shopify Payments: You can use cards and cash to make online payments. It’s a built-in gateway from Shopify, so it works well without extra fees. Plus, it’s user-friendly and secure.
  
• Third-Party Payment Gateways: If you like, you can integrate other gateways like PayPal, Apple Pay, or Stripe.
  
• Cash on Delivery (COD): You might also want to have cash on delivery or cash on pickup available for local customers.
  

Remember to test the payment system before launching your store to ensure everything works smoothly. before launching your store to ensure everything works smoothly.

Setup Your Custom Domain

Configuring a custom domain makes your restaurant’s online store look neat and easy to locate. Instead of using Shopify’s default URL (for example, “yourrestaurant.myshopify.com“), you can easily set up a custom domain, such as “www.yourrestaurant.com“.

To do this, go to “Settings” > “Domains” in your Shopify admin. You can either buy a domain directly through Shopify or connect a domain you already own. Shopify will guide you through the process step by step.

Custom domains add a touch of professionalism to your brand and are easily remembered by customers; it can also lead to better ranking on search engines. 

This guide helps you set up a Shopify store for your restaurant. You can put your menu online, take orders, and arrange deliveries or pickups. Everything is managed from one central location. If you need help with setting up your store, you can hire our Shopify developers.

Shopify Themes for Restaurants

Shopify is packed with themes to choose from. However, you must consider the final choice of theme for your restaurant with regard to the overall style of your restaurant. Some recommended themes from Shopify include:

Crave – Best for Fast Food and Quick-Service Restaurants

The Crave theme suits busy restaurants, such as fast-food chains, food trucks, and casual dining spots. It features bright, bold visuals that immediately grab attention. Use clear call-to-action (CTA) buttons. They can help customers order online, explore your menu, or check out promotions.
This theme provides smooth mobile optimization. Customers can easily browse and place orders from their smartphones. Whether they’re craving burgers, tacos, or pizza, the Crave theme makes online ordering simple and convenient.

Taste – Perfect for Upscale Dining and Gourmet Restaurants

The Taste theme is sleek, minimal, and ideal for fine-dining restaurants, bistros, and gourmet eateries. Its elegant design focuses on high-quality visuals, allowing you to showcase your dishes beautifully with large, professional images.

Taste is optimized for storytelling, so you can share your restaurant’s story, highlight your chef’s signature dishes, and explain what makes your dining experience unique. With built-in sections for customer reviews and testimonials, you can build credibility and attract diners looking for high-end experiences.

Vantage – Great for Cafés, Bakeries, and Coffee Shops

The Vantage theme offers a clean, modern layout that works well for cafés, bakeries, and coffee shops. It comes with built-in features to showcase special offers, seasonal items, and loyalty programs.

The theme offers local delivery and pickup. This makes it easy for customers to order pastries, lattes, and baked goods. You can customize sections to highlight popular menu items. You can also share blog posts about your ingredients or promote upcoming events, like coffee-tasting sessions.

Blockshop – Best for Large Menus and Multi-Location Restaurants

The Blockshop theme is a versatile option for restaurants with extensive menus or multiple locations. Its modular layout allows you to organize menu items into categories, such as appetizers, entrées, and desserts, for easier navigation.

This theme also supports location-based features, which are useful if your restaurant operates in multiple cities. Customers can easily find the nearest location, check operating hours, and place orders for delivery or pickup.

Local – Perfect for Community-Focused Restaurants

The Local theme suits restaurants that focus on community, local sourcing, and sustainability. It features customizable sections for sharing your restaurant’s mission, highlighting partnerships with local farmers, and promoting eco-friendly practices.

This theme also makes it easy to display customer reviews, feature daily specials, and integrate social media feeds. It’s a great choice for restaurants that want to build a loyal, community-driven customer base.

Simply put, Shopify has themes for all types of restaurants. Options like Crave, Taste, Vantage, and Local help showcase your menu and improve online ordering. These themes can boost sales and enhance customer experience.

Shopify POS for Restaurants

Shopify POS is perfect for restaurant owners. It helps simplify operations and improves customer experiences, whether online or in-person. With just a Shopify account, a card reader, and an internet-connected device, you can start using Shopify POS to manage orders, payments, and inventory effortlessly.

This system is especially useful for restaurants because it combines online and retail sales, giving customers more flexibility. Whether customers prefer dine-in, takeout, or delivery, Shopify POS keeps everything running smoothly. Plus, it helps you expand your reach by connecting your restaurant to a wider audience.

Getting started with Shopify POS is quick and easy. Here’s what you need to do:

• Choose a Compatible Device: You can use Shopify POS on any compatible device, like an iPhone, iPad, or Android phone. Make sure your device runs iOS 12.0 (or later) or the latest Android version.
  
• Download the Shopify POS App: Head to the Apple App Store (for iOS devices) or Google Play Store (for Android) and download the Shopify POS app.
  
• Sign In to Your Shopify Account: Once the app is installed, log in using your Shopify credentials. This will give you access to your store’s dashboard.
  
• Connect Your Card Reader: Pair your Shopify POS device with a card reader. Shopify offers multiple card reader options, depending on your restaurant’s needs.
  
• Add Products and Menu Items: Ensure that your products, menu items, and their details (like prices and availability) are already listed in your Shopify store. If not, update them before you begin accepting orders.

To sum up, Shopify POS makes it easy to manage your restaurant’s sales, both online and offline. From flexible payment options to real-time inventory tracking, it helps improve customer satisfaction while simplifying your operations.

Shopify Apps for Restaurant Websites

Using Shopify apps can enhance your restaurant’s online experience and streamline operations. Here are some essential apps to consider:

• GloriaFood Online Ordering: Add an online ordering system to your site. This lets customers order for delivery and pickup easily, and you won’t pay any commissions.
  
• Order Printer Pro: Print custom receipts and invoices for takeout, delivery, or dine-in customers.
  
• Yotpo Product Reviews & UGC: Gather customer reviews and show them off. This helps build trust and boosts your restaurant’s reputation.
  
• Local Delivery by Shopify:
  • Optimize delivery routes.
  • Track local orders.
  • Provide real-time updates on delivery.
    
• Easy Tabs – Product Tabs: Use tabs to organize menu items. This makes navigation easier and enhances the customer experience.
  
• Tidio Live Chat: Offer instant support to customers with live chat, email, and chatbot automation.

Integrating these apps improves customer convenience. It also simplifies restaurant management and boosts online sales.

Promoting Your Shopify Restaurant

Once your Shopify restaurant website is live, the next step is to get customers to discover it. Here are some effective ways to promote your restaurant and increase online orders:

• Use Social Media Marketing: Show off your menu on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Share behind-the-scenes content and promote special offers. Engage with your audience by responding to comments, running polls, and encouraging user-generated content.
  
• Run Paid Ads: Invest in targeted ads on platforms like Google and Facebook to reach potential customers in your local area. Use keywords like “online food delivery” or “best restaurant near me” to attract hungry users searching online.
  
• Offer Special Discounts and Promotions: Create attractive deals like “Buy One, Get One Free.” You can also offer limited-time discounts or free delivery for first-time orders. These incentives will encourage more people to try your food. Promote these offers on your website, social media accounts, and through email marketing.
  
• Implement Email Marketing Campaigns: Collect customer email addresses and send regular newsletters featuring menu updates, upcoming events, loyalty rewards, and exclusive offers. This keeps your restaurant at the top of your mind and builds a loyal customer base.
  
• Claim Your Restaurant on Google My Business: Optimize your Google Business profile to increase visibility in local search results. Add essential details like your address, contact number, menu link, and operating hours. Positive reviews can further boost your ranking and attract more customers.
  
• Collaborate with Food Influencers and Bloggers: Partner with local food bloggers or social media influencers to showcase your dishes. Influencers can create buzz around your restaurant by sharing reviews, photos, or videos with their followers.

By using these promotional strategies, you can increase your restaurant’s online visibility, drive traffic to your Shopify store, and ultimately boost sales.

FAQs on Shopify for Restaurants

Let’s Summarize

Taking your restaurant online with Shopify opens up new opportunities to grow your business, reach more customers, and streamline operations. From setting up your store to choosing the perfect theme and optimizing with helpful apps, Shopify offers everything you need to succeed in the digital space.

Whether you’re a fast-food outlet, gourmet eatery, or local café, creating a seamless online experience can enhance customer satisfaction and boost your sales. If you need expert help to set up or optimize your Shopify restaurant store, consult with our experts today!