The Best Online Ordering Platforms for QSRs in the UK

A QSR (quick service restaurant) is a popular restaurant type that seems to thrive in today's market, where many turn to for quick and affordable meals. In today's market, where convenience is prioritised, fast-food diners and QSRs heavily rely on online ordering platforms as an essential piece of technology.

Finding an online ordering app or platform that works for your QSR can keep you competitive in a saturated market, opening your restaurant up to new opportunities and offering insight into key data.

From mobile ordering apps to intuitive web systems, we cover the best online ordering platforms for quick-service restaurants in the UK. In this list, you'll find the most trusted, popular and feature-rich platforms on the market.

What to Look for in an Online Ordering System

• User-friendly interface: The platform should be easy for both customers and staff to navigate, guaranteeing a smooth ordering process.
• EPOS integration: It should sync online and in-store orders for smooth and precise order management.
• Payment Processing Options: For customer convenience, multiple payment methods (e.g., credit cards, mobile payments) should be available.
• Delivery and Takeaway management: Features should include delivery zone control, fee management, and real-time order tracking.
• Customisation options: The option to design and brand the online menu and ordering system to reflect your QSRs identity is key.
• Customer data and analytics: Finally, the platform should have robust analytics features to track customer preferences, and order history, and generate insights for personalised marketing and improved service.

Top Online Ordering Platforms for UK QSRs

The options listed below include some of the best online ordering platforms for QSRs in the UK. Let’s find the perfect tech partner for your business. 

Redcat 

Redcat is a feature-rich and robust hospitality management platform offering a range of solutions for restaurants, cafes, and QSRs, focusing strongly on online ordering integration. 

Redcat’s online ordering system streamlines the order management process while integrating seamlessly with its broader POS and management tools. QSRs that want a unified system to manage both in-house operations and online ordering can benefit greatly from Redcat’s platform. 

The food online ordering system comes with a user-friendly website covering 60 menu items, multiple secure online payment options, and full onboarding and training for your teams.

For those already using a Redcat POS system, you can easily integrate ordering functionality to give you a competitive edge in an ever-changing market. Redcat helps eliminate duplicate orders, pricing inconsistencies, transaction delays, or accounting issues.

Redcat also makes it easy for you to build lasting relationships with your courier partners and suppliers - with consistently accurate tracking, management and reporting of deliveries and drivers.

The platform functions as an extension of your brand and the experience you offer for your customers, helping you cement your place as a popular and trusted QSR.

Key Features of Redcat's Online Ordering System

• Fully Integrated POS System: Redcat integrates with its POS system, allowing you to manage online, in-house, and delivery orders from a single platform.
• Customisable Online Menu: With Redcat, you can easily create a fully customisable online menu that includes photos, descriptions, and dynamic pricing. 
• Delivery and Takeaway Options: Redcat supports both delivery and takeaway orders, offering you the ability to manage delivery zones, set fees, and schedule pickup times. 
• Advanced Order Management: Redcat’s order management system helps you process high volumes of orders efficiently by consolidating all orders into one interface. 
• Customer Loyalty and Marketing Tools: Redcat offers loyalty programs and marketing tools that allow QSRs to reward repeat customers and encourage them to place more orders. 
• Reporting and Analytic: Redcat provides in-depth reporting and analytics that give QSRs insights into their sales performance, customer behaviour, and operational efficiency. 

Main Benefits for QSRs

• Seamless integration with Redcat’s POS system helps you manage online and in-house orders, streamlining operations and reducing errors.
• The customisable menu options allow you to keep your online offerings up to date, promote specials, and reflect changes in real-time.
• Delivery and takeaway management tools give you flexibility in how you handle order fulfilment, with options to manage in-house deliveries or use third-party services.
• Redcat’s loyalty and marketing tools provide you with the ability to engage customers through rewards programs and targeted promotions, boosting customer retention and increasing repeat business.
• Advanced order management tools help you handle large volumes of orders more effectively, improving service speed and reducing mistakes, especially during peak times.

Square Online 

Square, a well-established name in the world of payments and EPOS systems, offers an online ordering solution that is perfectly suited for QSRs who are looking to streamline their operations and enhance their digital presence. 

Square Online for Restaurants offers a suite of tools designed to help you create an easy-to-navigate, branded online storefront that seamlessly integrates into your existing Square POS system. With Square, you can accept and manage orders from front-of-house, back-of-house, or online.

You can choose and customise a theme to match your restaurant's branding and sync items across multiple locations. Options for pick-ups, deliveries, and reservations are available - giving your customers a range of convenient choices.

Overall, Square Online turns the entire process of ordering and delivery management into a seamless, accurate, and reliable system.

Key Features

• EPOS Integration: Square Online Ordering integrates with its POS system with ease, allowing existing customers to take advantage of the platform.
• Delivery Management: Square Online supports delivery and takeaway options, with tools to help you manage delivery zones, fees, and pickup times. 
• Customisation and Branding: Square Online also lets you fully customise your online storefront, reflecting your branding and style. 
• Menu Management: With Square Online, you can easily manage your menu, including creating special offers, updating prices, and adding new items. 
• Customer Insights and Analytics: Square Online provides detailed reports on customer behaviour, helping you understand your QSR's sales patterns, popular items, and customer preferences. 

Main Benefits for QSRs

• Square’s integrated system makes it easy for QSRs to manage their in-person and online orders seamlessly.
• The highly customisable platform allows you to maintain full control over your restaurant's branding and customer experience.
• Advanced reporting tools provide valuable insights into customer preferences and sales trends, helping your QSR improve operations and marketing strategies.
• Affordable pricing with no commission on orders keeps costs predictable, making Square Online a great option for smaller or growing restaurants.

Toast 

Toast is a popular platform designed specifically for restaurants, offering an all-in-one solution for managing both front- and back-of-house operations. 

QSRs benefit from Toast Online Ordering, which offers a fully integrated system that helps restaurants manage everything from orders to payments and delivery. 

Known for its ease of use and seamless integration with Toast’s powerful POS system, it offers a range of features that make it a leading choice for QSRs in the UK.

The platform allows restaurants to manage both in-person and online orders seamlessly, integrating everything into one system to reduce manual entry errors and improve order accuracy. 

Toast’s online ordering system is fully customisable, giving restaurants the tools to update menus in real time, highlight promotions, and provide a smooth, user-friendly experience for customers. 

Key Features

• Integrated POS System: The integrated POS System allows QSRs to manage online and in-store orders from one central dashboard by fully integrating Toast's platform with its POS system. 
• Customisable Online Menu: Restaurants can easily customise their online menu, highlighting promotions, special items, or limited-time offers. 
• Built-in Delivery and Takeaway Options: Toast supports both delivery and takeaway, providing restaurants with the tools to manage delivery zones, fees, and scheduling for smooth operations. Restaurants can use their own delivery service or integrate with third-party providers for wider coverage.
• Loyalty Programs: Toast offers built-in loyalty programs that reward returning customers and encourage repeat business. 
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Toast’s platform includes customer data collection and analytics, enabling restaurants to track order history, preferences, and spending habits. 
• Marketing Tools: Toast provides built-in marketing tools, such as email campaigns and promotions, that can be used to attract new customers and engage existing ones.

Main Benefits of QSRs 

• Toast’s seamless integration between its POS and online ordering platform simplifies order management, improving efficiency and reducing errors.
• The platform’s customisable menu features and real-time updates make it easy for QSRs to adapt to changing customer preferences or inventory.
• Built-in loyalty programs and CRM tools provide restaurants with the ability to increase customer retention and personalise the customer experience.
• Toast’s robust marketing tools allow QSRs to create targeted campaigns directly from the platform, reducing the need for external marketing solutions.

Popmenu 

Popmenu is a modern platform designed to revolutionise online ordering for restaurants by combining ordering functionalities with powerful marketing tools. 

Popmenu offers restaurants an all-in-one solution that integrates ordering, website management, and marketing, helping QSRs get more customers while streamlining overall operational efficiency. With Popmenu, you keep 100% of your online ordering revenue with no commission or third-party fees.

You can also use the data to automate personalised messages to former customers, inviting them back with the lure of a discount code, special, or loyalty reward. The system makes managing incoming orders a much smoother process and allows you to keep track of your ROI in real-time.

Popmenu integrates easily with your existing website, POS system, and marketing tools - making it the transition easy and disruption-free. Overall, Popmenu is a great option for fast-food restaurants looking to gain a competitive edge.

Key Features

• Customisable and Interactive Menus: Popmenu comes with customisable menus that allow you to add photos, descriptions, and customer reviews. 
• Website Integration: Popmenu goes beyond traditional online ordering platforms by offering a fully integrated website solution and fully managed web services.
• Built-in Marketing Tools: Popmenu includes an array of built-in marketing tools, such as automated email campaigns, SMS marketing, and social media integrations.
• SEO Optimisation: Popmenu’s websites and menus are SEO-friendly, making it easier for your QSR to rank higher in search engine results and boost organic traffic.
• Customer Engagement Features: Popmenu allows customers to leave reviews directly on menu items, which not only boosts engagement but also builds social proof - this is key for hospitality businesses.
• Loyalty and Rewards Programs: The platform also supports loyalty and rewards programs, which help QSRs retain customers by offering discounts or perks for repeat orders.

Main Benefits for QSRS

• Popmenu’s interactive menu design creates an engaging experience for your customers, showcasing food items with photos, descriptions, and reviews, which can drive higher sales.
• The built-in marketing tools, including email and SMS campaigns, provide you with an all-in-one solution for both ordering and customer communication, reducing the need for third-party tools.
• Popmenu’s SEO optimisation helps you improve your restaurant's online visibility, driving more traffic to its website and increasing online orders.
• Managing the website and online ordering system from a single platform upholds a consistent brand identity that can easily be updated.
• We uphold a consistent brand identity that can easily be updated by managing the website and online ordering system from a single platform.
• Popmenu’s loyalty and rewards programs give you the tools to build long-term customer relationships, offering incentives for repeat orders.

Menufy

Menufy is an online ordering platform designed for restaurants, offering a user-friendly and affordable solution for QSRs. Known for its simplicity and effectiveness, Menufy allows you to accept orders directly from your website or mobile app without high commission fees.

It’s a practical option for QSRs in the UK that want a straightforward, low-cost way to implement online ordering while maintaining control over operations. The online menu is tailor-made, fully maintained, and hosted for free. Menufy lists your website on their site as well as on the mobile app.

You can accept various payment methods through Menufy, including Apple Pay and Google Pay, get automated order notifications via call, text message, fax, or email, and drive repeat business with loyalty programs and reward systems.

The high-quality service includes a 24/7 customer support line for technical assistance and menu updates. No hidden fees, no term contracts, and no cancellation penalty are a big plus for QSRs in need of an affordable online system.

Key Features

• Customisable Online Menu: Menufy allows you to create fully customisable menus, with options for photos, descriptions, and pricing updates. The platform is easy to set up and manage, even for restaurants with limited technical knowledge.
• No Commission Fees: Menufy does not charge a commission on orders placed through your website. This allows you to keep more of your profits while providing customers with a direct online ordering option.
• Delivery Integration: You can easily integrate with third-party delivery services such as DoorDash, allowing you to offer delivery without managing your own fleet.
• Affordable Payment Processing: Menufy provides its own payment processing service with competitive rates, ensuring that restaurants can accept online payments without excessive transaction fees.
• Marketing and Promotion Tools: Menufy offers built-in marketing tools, including the ability to run promotions and offer discounts. 
• Free Website for Online Ordering: If you don't have a website, your QSR can take advantage of Menufy’s free website offering, which comes fully integrated with the online ordering system.

Main Benefits for QSRs

• The platform is both affordable and easy to set up and manage, with minimal technical expertise required, making it accessible for smaller QSRs or those without dedicated IT staff.
• Menufy integrates seamlessly with third-party delivery services like DoorDash, providing you with flexible delivery options while maintaining control over fees and zones. You can also get drivers from Menufy for a 12.5% commission.
• The built-in marketing tools allow you to create promotions and special offers to boost customer acquisition and retention with no need for additional software.
• The free website hosting and branding make it a powerful option for those who need to quickly establish an online presence. The option of free website hosting and branding is powerful for those who need to establish an online presence quickly.

BentoBox 

BentoBox is an all-in-one platform designed specifically for restaurants, offering online ordering alongside website management, marketing, and customer engagement tools. 

BentoBox is a great option for QSRs looking to build a strong online presence while providing seamless ordering capabilities. BentoBox also provides tools for real-time menu updates, promotions, and special offers, giving you the flexibility to adapt to seasonal changes or new items.

BentoBox focuses on delivering branded experiences, and as such, you maintain full control over your customer interactions while streamlining the ordering process.

In addition to BentoBox's online ordering features, you can leverage email campaigns, loyalty programs, and social media integrations to engage with your customer base and drive improved retention. Various payment options are available - essential for the hospitality industry.

Key Features

• Fully Branded Online Ordering: BentoBox gives you the ability to create fully branded, customisable experiences that seamlessly integrate into their website. 
• Integrated Website Management: BentoBox offers full website management services, making it easy for you to update menus, add promotions, or tweak content without technical expertise. 
• Pre-order and Catering Options: BentoBox’s platform supports advanced ordering features, including pre-orders, catering, and family-style meals.
• Built-in Marketing Tools: BentoBox includes a suite of marketing tools, such as email campaigns, social media integrations, and promotions.
• Loyalty and Customer Retention: With BentoBox, you can offer loyalty programs, gift cards, and rewards that help build long-term relationships with customers. 
• Data and Analytics: BentoBox provides you with detailed analytics on customer behaviour, sales trends, and order history.

Main Benefits for QSRs

• BentoBox allows you to maintain full control over your branding and online presence, keeping a consistent, professional experience for customers from the website to the ordering process.
• The platform’s website management tools make it easy for you to manage digital operations without needing external developers, providing flexibility in managing menus, promotions, and content.
• BentoBox’s advanced ordering features like catering and pre-ordering provide you with the opportunity to expand your services and attract a wider range of customers.
• The built-in marketing tools offer powerful ways to engage customers, run promotions, and build loyalty, all from within the platform.
• The platform’s loyalty and customer retention features help you drive repeat customers through gift cards, rewards programs, and special offers, creating lasting customer relationships.

CAKE

CAKE is an all-in-one restaurant management platform offering commission-free online ordering capabilities alongside its core POS system. Designed to simplify operations for restaurants, CAKE helps you manage your orders efficiently while offering a smooth experience for customers. 

You can quickly and easily integrate online ordering with in-house operations, allowing you to optimise both front-of-house and back-of-house operations. Restaurant owners looking to take advantage of the online space can benefit greatly from CAKE's feature rich platform.

The direct online ordering system that allows you to create a safe guest experience with contactless curbside pickup, delivery, and payment options. Additionally, you can manage all your takeout orders in one place with a curbside management system that allows your guests to pick up their food efficiently.

CAKE allows guests to pay how they want with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and credit card checkout on one centralised screen for fast payment processing. The platform is overall a great option for QSRs and fast-food restaurants looking to boost efficiency.

Key Features

• Seamless Integration with POS: The platform integrates directly with its POS system, allowing you to manage online and in-person orders from a single dashboard. 
• Customisable Online Menu: You can create and update your online menu with ease, making it simple to add new items, change prices, and highlight promotions. 
• Delivery and Takeaway Management: The platform supports both delivery and takeaway options, with tools that allow you to manage delivery zones, set fees, and adjust pickup times.
• Customer Data and Analytics: You'll also get detailed reports on customer behaviour, including order frequency, popular items, and spending patterns. 
• Marketing and Promotions: CAKE includes built-in marketing tools that allow you to run promotions, send offers, and reward repeat customers. 
• Streamlined Payment Processing: The platform also offers secure and easy-to-use payment processing for online orders, allowing you to accept credit cards, mobile payments, and other payment methods without complications.

Main Benefits for QSRs

• Cake's seamless integration with its POS system keeps the system processing online orders in real-time, reducing errors and making it easier to manage both in-person and online operations from one central platform.
• Flexible delivery and takeaway options provide you with the ability to offer multiple fulfilment methods, increasing customer convenience and satisfaction.
• The platform’s built-in analytics tools provide you with valuable insights into customer behaviour and sales trends, helping them make data-driven decisions to improve their menu and marketing strategies.
• The customisable menu options lets you keep your offerings up to date and in line with customer preferences, while also showcasing promotions and specials.
• CAKE's marketing and promotions tools allow you to drive engagement and build a loyal customer base through targeted campaigns.

iMenu360

iMenu360 is a specialised online ordering platform designed for restaurants, offering a flexible and feature-rich solution for QSRs that want to provide a seamless digital ordering experience to their customers. 

iMenu360 also integrates smoothly with existing POS systems and third-party delivery services, making it easy for you to manage both in-house and online orders efficiently. Features include QR code ordering, online ordering, and white-label branded restaurant apps.

With iMenu360, you maintain ownership of customer data, allowing you to analyse order patterns, preferences, and loyalty. QSRs can leverage this data for targeted marketing campaigns and promotions, helping them build lasting relationships with their customers.

In addition to the above, you'll also get complimentary marketing support from iMenu360, giving you tools and resources to improve your restaurant's overall marketing strategy. The platform helps you maintain your margins while avoiding unnecessary third-party ordering fees.

Key Features

• Customisable Online Menu: iMenu360 allows you to build highly customisable menus with options to include photos, descriptions, and pricing. 
• Third-party Integration: iMenu360 integrates with a wide range of restaurant management tools, including EPOS systems and delivery partners, making it easier for you to manage both in-house and online orders from a single platform. 
• Branded Online Ordering: The platform provides you with fully branded interfaces, keeping the customer experience consistent with your overall brand.
• Delivery and Takeaway Management: iMenu360 supports both delivery and takeaway, offering tools to manage delivery zones, set fees, and track order status. 
• Marketing and Promotions: The platform includes marketing tools and resources that allow you to create and run promotions, manage discount codes, and send targeted offers to your customer base.
• Comprehensive Reporting and Analytics: iMenu360 also provides in-depth reporting on sales trends, customer preferences, and order history.

Main Benefits for QSRs

• Highly customisable menu options lets you make real-time updates, keeping your online menu reflective of your current offerings, promotions, and special items.
• Full branding control lets you offer a consistent, professional online ordering experience that aligns with your brand identity, which helps build trust and customer loyalty.
• Third-party integrations with ePOS systems and delivery partners give restaurants flexibility in managing your online and in-house operations, allowing for smooth order processing and fulfilment.
• iMenu360’s marketing tools help you attract and retain customers through promotions, discount codes, and targeted offers, all from within the platform.
• And of course, you'll get valuable insights into customer behaviour and sales trends, helping you make data-driven decisions to optimise their menu and marketing efforts.

ChowNow

ChowNow is a commission-free online ordering platform designed to give restaurants complete control over their digital ordering process. Unlike third-party delivery apps that charge high commission fees, ChowNow operates on a flat-fee model, allowing you to retain more of your overall revenue.

The platform integrates easily with your existing website, creating a seamless online ordering experience for your customers where they can navigate to your online ordering page and find what they prefer. 

ChowNow also offers custom-branded mobile apps for both iOS and Android. As such, you can maintain your brand identity while providing customers with a convenient way to order directly from their phones.

You'll also get to own and manage customer data - from sales trends to order volume. This data can be used to create targeted marketing campaigns, send personalised offers, and build loyalty among customers. ChowNow also supports a range of marketing tools, including email campaigns and social media integrations, helping you drive traffic to your own ordering system.

With its focus on profitability, customer data ownership, and ease of use, ChowNow is an ideal solution for QSRs looking to improve the online ordering process without the burden of commission fees.

Key Features

• Commission-free Ordering: ChowNow’s biggest draw is its commission-free model. You pay a flat fee to use the platform, which allows you to accept online orders directly through your own website, mobile app, or even social media channels like Instagram and Facebook.
• Custom-branded Ordering System: The platform provides you with a fully branded online ordering experience. You can customise your pages and apps to match your brand, giving customers a consistent experience that strengthens brand recognition and loyalty.
• Integration with Restaurant Websites: ChowNow easily integrates with existing restaurant websites, making it simple for you to offer online ordering with no need to redesign their site or make complex technical changes.
• Delivery and Pickup Options: ChowNow supports both delivery and pickup orders. Your restaurant can use its own delivery fleet or integrate with local third-party delivery services, offering flexibility in how you manage orders and fulfilment.
• Customer Data Ownership: Customer data gives you the ability to analyse your customer base, run targeted marketing campaigns, and build loyalty without relying on third-party platforms that typically retain this data.
• Marketing Tools: ChowNow includes built-in marketing tools that help you promote your online ordering system through email campaigns, social media, and Google Ads. 
• Mobile App Integration: ChowNow provides you with your own branded mobile app for both iOS and Android, allowing customers to order easily from their phones, which is particularly useful in today’s mobile-first world.

Main Benefits for QSRs

• Commission-free model helps you retain more of your profits compared to third-party delivery apps that charge high fees.
• The platform’s custom-branded ordering system gives your QSR full control over your branding and customer experience, reinforcing customer loyalty and trust.
• ChowNow’s easy integration of a website allows you to quickly add online ordering to your existing site without major technical updates, making it accessible to smaller restaurants with limited resources.
• Customer data ownership gives you valuable insights into your customer base, helping you tailor marketing strategies and build long-term relationships without losing this data to third-party platforms.
• Built-in marketing tools support you in promoting your online ordering system, driving direct traffic to their site and app, which helps you increase orders without relying on external delivery platforms.

Final Thoughts

Finding the best online ordering platform for QSRs in the UK to meet the growing demand for convenience, speed, and efficiency in the fast-paced restaurant industry.

Platforms like Redcat Online Ordering offer unique features that cater to different operational needs, from seamless POS integration to commission-free models.

The right choice depends on a QSRs specific requirements, such as customisation, budget, delivery management, and customer engagement tools.

By choosing the right platform, QSRs can streamline their operations, improve customer satisfaction, and ultimately boost their revenue in an increasingly competitive market.

At Redcat, we offer a feature-rich and all-encompassing hospitality IT platform designed to help you get the most out of your restaurant.