How The University of Sheffield Cut Costs, Boosted Catering Efficiency & Improved Customer Experience with Spoonfed

Located in Sheffield's bustling academic environment, the University of Sheffield's catering department is pivotal in providing high-quality catering services for meetings, events, and small gatherings.  

Previously, the department relied on an on-site catering system that frequently encountered errors and was burdened by a complex and unsustainable pricing structure. This motivated the search for a more affordable, efficient, and web-based solution to streamline their operations and improve customer satisfaction.  

We interviewed Lindsay Wilson, the Sales and Event Coordinator at The University, to learn how Spoonfed's Catering Management software has transformed their catering services.

The Challenges

Before integrating Spoonfed, the University of Sheffield faced several operational challenges that necessitated a new approach:

Outdated and Inefficient Systems: The previous software was not web-based, resulting in frequent errors, operational inefficiencies, and a heavy reliance on manual, paper-based processes. This system also had a complex and unsustainable pricing structure.  

Operational Inefficiencies: Manual data entry and a lack of user-friendly features made managing bookings and updates cumbersome. The system's limitations impacted front- and back-of-house operations, leading to inefficient production planning and order management.  

Lindsay reflects, "We needed something more user-friendly, efficient, and web-based to reduce our dependency on manual processes and improve overall efficiency."

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The Solutions

Spoonfed’s hospitality management software emerged as the optimal solution for the University of Sheffield, offering a range of features tailored to meet their specific needs:

User-Friendly Online Ordering: Spoonfed provides an intuitive online platform where customers can easily place, edit and cancel orders, even during evenings and weekends. This flexibility significantly enhances customer convenience.  

Efficient Back Office Management: The software simplifies order booking management, menu updates, and sales tracking tasks. Lindsay states, "We use the back office for adding and editing bookings, updating menus, and working out sales figures."

Effective Production Planning: Spoonfed's production planning features enable the back-of-house team to effectively anticipate and prepare for busy periods.

"The production element helps us avoid manually going through days or weeks of bookings," Lindsay notes.  

Comprehensive Dashboard and Reporting: Spoonfed's dashboard provides real-time visual data on sales, helping the team monitor performance and make data-driven decisions. Extensive reports can be easily exported, and custom reports can be requested for specific information. "The dashboard is great for at-a-glance sales insights," Lindsay explains.

Enhanced Customer Information: Spoonfed allows adding images to products on the online ordering platform, helping customers make informed decisions. Detailed allergen information further enhances customer safety. Lindsay adds, "The images and allergen information helps customers make better decisions."

The Results

Since adopting Spoonfed, the University of Sheffield has experienced transformative benefits:

Improved Efficiency: The shift to a user-friendly web-based system has streamlined the ordering and management process, reducing administrative burdens and operational errors.

Enhanced Customer Experience: Customers appreciate the ease of placing orders online and the clear, detailed allergen information provided, leading to higher satisfaction and increased trust in the catering services.

Operational Insights: The dashboard and reporting features offer valuable insights into sales figures and production needs, helping the team optimize their operations and meet their targets effectively.

Continuous Improvement: Spoonfed offers fantastic online support and regularly updates the software, incorporating user feedback and suggested features. This ensures the system remains efficient and relevant.

Conclusion

The integration of Spoonfed Catering Management software has been a game-changer for the University of Sheffield. By addressing the challenges posed by their previous system and introducing efficient, web-based solutions, Spoonfed has empowered the University's catering team to deliver superior service with ease.  

As Lindsay aptly puts it,

"Switching to Spoonfed was the best decision we made. It's user-friendly, efficient, and has significantly improved our operations."

The University of Sheffield's journey with Spoonfed showcases the software's ability to enhance catering efficiency and customer satisfaction in an academic setting, setting a benchmark for other institutions to follow.