The restaurant industry is changing rapidly due to the ever-changing and evolving technology. Good food is no longer sufficient to keep a restaurant running and in business. Customers now look for a flawless dining experience consisting of fast and efficient service and easy payment. With the establishment of sleek and innovative food outlets every now and then, it is difficult for your restaurant to last in the food industry if it’s not up to the mark. The good news is that there’s always room for improvement. Modern technology has made running a restaurant much more manageable, smoother, and profitable. Your restaurant can now meet the competition all around by making use of suitable technological measures, though this does not mean that you should overlook the traditional aspects that form the foundation of a good restaurant in favor of new tech – you’ll still need all the right food prep equipment like this cambro container, sharp knives, and batch size pots and pans to make good food, or an investment in technology will be worthless.
The technological revolution has completely transformed the restaurant business for the better. Investing in the right technology can make your restaurant stand out and sustain growth in the long run. Let’s look at some restaurant technologies that are a game-changer for the food industry.
1. Custom-Built Kiosks
Kiosks serve as stand-alone booths and are placed in areas that receive high traffic to boost sales. Technological advancements have made it possible to install electronic kiosks; the one-time investment can help reduce per head costs in the long run. Businesses will typically employ restaurant and bar consulting services in order to achieve this, as the process from start to finish may be an unfamiliar one for those working in the food industry. Experts who work as consultants advise on the design elements of the kiosk and will use their contacts to put orders in with a manufacturer who will work to the required specification. After this, kiosks will be placed in strategic locations that a business may decide upon with said consultants. The kiosks can then become an effective method of marketing or even sales in high footfall areas.
Kiosks come with easy-to-use interfaces and give customers more control and feasibility over their ordering process. Installing kiosks in high-traffic areas can result in more customers, which results in higher sales and profitability. Restaurants can get custom-built kiosks for stadiums, airports, aquariums, zoos, malls, hospitals, and theatres, among other high-traffic spots.
2. Automated Purchasing Tool
Food shortage is perhaps the most significant problem a restaurant can face. An automated purchasing tool can help restaurant management avoid this problem by being notified of low food inventory at the earliest. This tool also gives purchase recommendations according to the restaurant’s needs and budget. It can also allow automatic placement of orders depending on a set threshold for inventory. With this tool, you don’t have to worry about last-minute inventory shortages or angry customers.
3. Bluetooth Temperature Sensors
Bluetooth temperature sensors help restaurants ensure that the food and equipment meet health regulatory standards. Bluetooth sensors can allow restaurant staff to measure food and equipment temperature in minimum time accurately. These temperature sensors can enable your restaurant to meet food safety requirements, avoid product loss, elevate operations, and reduce downtime.
4. Optimized Scheduling Software
Scheduling can be incredibly challenging if you own a busy restaurant. Technological advancements have made it possible for restaurant management to generate weekly employee schedules using optimized scheduling software. Managers can use it to optimize shift times easily and quickly while accurately accounting for employee availability, shift swaps, and time-off requests.
5. Contactless Payment
Customer satisfaction needs to be of utmost importance for a restaurant. It is best to offer all sorts of payment methods for your customers, so they can pay using their preferred method. Shifting to contactless payment can help you improve your sales as several customers value the ease and convenience of mobile payments. Due to safety and social distancing concerns, the contactless payment option has gained popularity, especially since the pandemic.
6. Virtual Reality Onboarding
Technological innovations have made recruitment and training much more convenient and efficient across all industries, including the food industry. Virtual Reality onboarding technology has significantly reduced the recruitment process costs for restaurants. With the VR onboarding experience, fresh recruits can quickly and easily learn about the dos and don’ts of their role at the restaurant without being present in person. This technology has made it possible for workers to prepare for their roles successfully and perform much more efficiently.
7. Handheld POS Systems
Handheld Point Of Sale systems makes it possible for restaurant staff to streamline operations efficiently by enabling customers to order and pay from the convenience of their tables. With a mobile POS system, customers no longer have to spend much time waiting for their order and bill. It also allows servers to spend more time engaging with customers meaningfully rather than running around collecting, remembering, placing, and serving orders.
8. Kitchen Display Screens
Restaurant kitchens can get very busy, so printed tickets might not be the best option for your restaurant. Instead, install display screens for smooth and timely functioning inside the kitchen. Kitchen display screens are also much more environmentally friendly than printed tickets and can allow for accurate placement and serving of orders.
9. Touchscreen Terminals
Installing touchscreen terminals can help you improve the efficiency of your restaurant. Touchscreen terminals can allow the restaurant staff to perform at an appropriate pace and can help generate more revenue. They simplify the order-placing process and allow quick bill and tip payment. You are likely to gain more satisfied customers by installing this technology at your restaurant.
10. Electronic Inventory System
Inventory tracking using pen and paper is a thing of the past; technology has made it possible for restaurants to track their inventory using digital means. Restaurant staff can now easily track and submit inventory counts simply through a mobile device. A digital inventory tracker monitors actual inventory count and theoretical levels in the inventory. Investing in a digital inventory tracker can help you stay updated with your inventory in real-time, so you can restock before you run out.
11. Digital Reservation Manager
Customer seating can be a hassle, especially if your restaurant is fully booked or low on space. A digital reservation manager can allow your customers to book tables, considering the seating arrangement of choice based on time and guest size. This digital manager can also give customers an estimate of the waiting time, so they don’t have to show up and wait for long periods. It also informs restaurant staff of food preferences and important dates through previous reservation history.
Final Thoughts
There is much room for improvement when it comes to the food industry. Customers now look for a complete experience hence good food is no longer sufficient to retain them. They expect quick, efficient, and flawless service, which can be possible if your restaurant invests in the right technologies. The one-time investment in smart and innovative technology can help you gain customers and save a great deal of money in the long run.
