iMakan News & Updates

Imagine a loyal customer leaving your cafe after a delicious meal. They tell a friend about your signature dish, and the friend comes in the next day—eventually becoming a regular too. This chain of referrals is more powerful than any ad campaign. The Power of Customer Referrals Referrals work because they are based on trust . People are far more likely to try a new restaurant when it’s recommended by someone they know personally. This leads to higher customer satisfaction, repeat visits, and larger average orders , all of which increase profits. Key Benefits: Lower Marketing Costs Instead of spending thousands on ads, you can leverage your existing satisfied customers. Every positive referral acts as free marketing , delivering new customers at minimal cost. Boosted Loyalty and Engagement Referred customers are inherently more loyal—they start with a positive perception of your brand. They’re also more likely to engage with loyalty programs, leave positive reviews, and participate in promotions . Stronger Brand Image Word-of-mouth builds credibility. When multiple customers recommend your cafe or restaurant, it reinforces the perception of quality and reliability. Compounding Growth Each referred customer can become an advocate themselves, creating a virtuous cycle of growth . Over time, referrals can generate a network effect that scales your business organically. Making Referrals Happen Offer Attractive Rewards Incentivize referrals with meaningful rewards like: Discounts on next visits Free drinks or desserts Bonus loyalty points Make sure the rewards appeal to your target customers and are easy to redeem. Simplify the Process Make sharing effortless with QR codes, mobile links, or app-based referral systems. The easier it is for customers to refer friends, the more they will participate. Personalize the Invitation Personalized messages increase engagement: “Bring a friend and you’ll both enjoy 15% off your next meal.” Personalized communications show customers that you value their participation. Deliver Shareable Experiences Customers are more likely to refer when their experience is memorable. Focus on: Instagram-worthy dishes Unique beverages or seasonal specials Warm and attentive customer service Encourage sharing with table displays, social media handles, or branded hashtags. Leverage Feedback Loops Ask new referred customers how they heard about you. Use this data to optimize referral campaigns and reward top advocates. Measure Your Success Track your program with metrics such as: Number of new customers from referrals Repeat purchase rates of referred customers Engagement rates with referral tools (QR codes, apps, social shares) Conversion rate of referred leads into loyal customers  Referrals are not just a marketing tactic—they’re a strategic growth lever . By encouraging customers to advocate for your brand, providing rewards, and creating memorable experiences, your F&B business can enjoy higher profits, loyal patrons, and sustainable growth . If you are looking for F&B solutions such as a POS system, QR ordering, self ordering kiosks and CRM that helps you manage your referral programmes, click here to find out more

Ask any café owner or restaurant operator in Singapore, and you’ll hear the same challenge—rental prices are sky-high. For small F&B startups, this can make profitability feel like a distant dream. The good news? You can fight back using the right mix of technology and smart operations. Here’s how to keep your costs low, efficiency high, and customers happy—even with expensive rent. 1. Rethink Location and Shift Budget to Marketing A prime location isn’t always the best decision for a new F&B brand. Not just due to the high rentals, but when operating in prime locations you are likely to be competing directly with well established F&B brands. Pick a slightly less central area to save on rent Invest those savings in branding and promotions Use delivery apps as customer acquisition tools—promote aggressively so people discover your food first online, then offline 2. Cut Manpower Dependency with Automation Labour costs are climbing. Self-ordering kiosks and QR code menus help you: Operate with fewer service staff Speed up order processing Improve order accuracy Create a seamless customer experience 3. Control Inventory Like a Pro Throwing away expired food is like throwing away cash. POS-linked inventory systems let you: Track stock in real time Predict demand accurately Avoid over-purchasing and wastage 4. Fill Empty Seats During Off-Peak Hours With yield management strategies, you can keep the business flowing throughout the day. Flash deals via Instagram or TikTok Loyalty perks for off-peak diners Special menus available only between 3–5pm 5. Make Your POS the Heart of Your Operations A fully integrated POS can help you: Manage dine-in, takeaway, and delivery orders in one place Monitor sales trends Sync loyalty programs automatically Make faster business decisions based on live data While rental prices in Singapore won’t drop overnight, the right tech approach lets F&B startups run more efficiently, keep costs under control, and compete with bigger players. If you are looking for F&B solutions such as F&B POS systems, Self ordering kiosks, QR ordering, online ordering and CRM solutions, click here to enquire!

Launching a new café or restaurant in Singapore? One of your first major investments will be a Point-of-Sale (POS) system. While it's tempting to go for the cheapest POS package, smart F&B owners know better: not all POS systems are built the same. Why Cheaper Isn’t Always Better Budget POS solutions often cut corners on hardware quality, software flexibility, and customer support. You might get a basic tablet with limited features and little support when things go wrong. These systems may be fine for weekend hobbyists, but if you're planning to scale and operate seriously, you need something more durable and reliable. What to Look For in a Reliable POS Rugged hardware that withstands busy kitchens & long operating hours Responsive local support for peace of mind Features that matter: table management, self-ordering, CRM, inventory Easy integrations with accounting, delivery, and payment platforms The Long-Term Advantage Investing in a reputable POS vendor ensures you won’t need to replace or switch systems as you grow. You also benefit from software updates, technical support, and scalability from day one. Your POS system is the heartbeat of your F&B business. Choose wisely, and it’ll help you run smoother, serve better, and scale faster.  Looking for F&B solutions? Click here to contact us!

In Singapore’s fast-paced F&B industry, reaching your customers with the right message at the right time can be the difference between a packed house and a slow day. For years, email marketing has been the go-to method for loyalty engagement—but today, WhatsApp is emerging as a powerful contender. So which channel delivers better results for F&B businesses? Let’s break it down. Why More F&B Brands Are Choosing WhatsApp 1. Significantly Higher Open Rates WhatsApp messages boast open rates of over 90%, while email struggles to break 25–30%. This means more eyes on your promotions, event invites, or new product launches. 2. Real-Time Engagement Whether you’re pushing a lunch promo or a last-minute reservation slot, WhatsApp delivers instant visibility. Customers receive and act on messages within minutes, making it perfect for time-sensitive offers. 3. Mobile-First and Personal Almost every Singaporean checks WhatsApp multiple times a day. Messages arrive directly on the home screen—no inbox clutter or spam folders to worry about. The format also feels more personal, increasing engagement. 4. Great for Vouchers & Loyalty Promotions Sending eVouchers, birthday rewards, or exclusive member discounts via WhatsApp makes redemption easy. Customers just click and go—no need to dig through emails or apps. When Email Still Shines 1. Long-Form Content & Storytelling Emails are perfect for more detailed updates like a new seasonal menu, chef’s notes, or an outlet anniversary event. You have more space to build a narrative and showcase visuals. 2. Automation and Segmentation Email tools allow automated drip campaigns, customer lifecycle journeys, and membership renewals—ideal for maintaining long-term engagement. 3. Official Communications Invoices, reservation confirmations, newsletters, and account updates are still best suited for email, where they feel more formal and can be archived. Best Practice: Use Both, Together Forward-thinking F&B brands in Singapore don’t choose one over the other—they use both channels strategically. Use WhatsApp to push flash deals, eVouchers, and member reminders. Use Email to tell your brand story, build loyalty, and deliver richer content. Connect both through a unified CRM-POS platform like MEGAPOS to sync data, automate engagement, and track performance. Final Thoughts If you're only using email to engage your customers, you're leaving money on the table. WhatsApp provides the speed and reach modern diners expect, while email helps nurture deeper, longer-term relationships. The smartest F&B operators are combining both—powered by integrated POS and CRM tools that make outreach effortless and effective.  Interested in trying to engage with your members through WhatsApp messaging campaigns, click here !

With all the hype about QR ordering, food delivery apps, and self-ordering kiosks, you might wonder— “Do I even still need a POS system for my café or restaurant?” Short answer? Yes. Absolutely. Even with all the fancy tech popping up, your POS system is still the beating heart of your F&B operations in Singapore. Here’s why. POS Systems Have Grown Up Gone are the days when POS just meant a cash register that printed receipts. Today’s POS is: Touchscreen, sleek, and fast Cloud-based (yes, you can check sales from your phone) Integrated with QR ordering and food delivery platforms Capable of syncing loyalty programmes, CRM, and even kitchen printers  But What About QR Ordering and Delivery Apps? Great question. And yes, those tools are super useful, especially post-COVID. But they work better when they’re connected to your POS system. Think of it like this: Your POS is the central brain QR orders? Sent through the POS Grab or Foodpanda orders? Tracked and tallied in POS Payment? Handled by POS—cash, PayNow, NETS, e-wallet, you name it Why Singapore F&B Owners Still Choose POS in 2025 ✅ Everything in one place – orders, payments, and reports ✅ Live dashboards – check your shop’s sales from your phone ✅ Cut down on mistakes – no more handwritten orders or missed items ✅ Easy for staff to learn – training new hires is faster ✅ Membership and CRM – turn first-time customers into loyal regulars ✅ Inventory tracking – say goodbye to “Oops, we ran out of chicken wings again…” From Hawker Stalls to High-End Restaurants Whether you’re selling bubble tea at a kiosk or running an omakase spot in the CBD, a good POS system scales with you. Many brands in Singapore use cloud-based POS with self-ordering kiosks and QR so they can operate smoother and faster—especially during peak hours. Final Thoughts If you're planning to reduce manpower , increase efficiency , or grow your F&B brand , your POS should be doing more than just taking orders. It should support your entire ecosystem—from sales and staff to customers and kitchen operations. Need help choosing the right POS system for your F&B business? We’ve helped hawkers, bakeries, cafes, and restaurants across Singapore modernise with hybrid POS + QR solutions. Click here to contact us and find out more.