“The advance of technology is based on making it fit in so that you don’t really even notice it, so it’s part of everyday life.”
Bill Gates
The kitchen is an ever changing landscape, a place where chefs experiment like scientists in the hopes of evolving cuisine to the next level and creating the next “must have” dish. In a place of such constant change shouldn’t your restaurant technology grow with you?
- Food Delivery and Online Ordering
With more people working from home the demand for delivery and online ordering has increased exponentially. Currently about 40% of all restaurants offer some form of easy ordering, delivery or pick up option. Tapping into these services businesses can appeal to new markets and help grow their customer base, and have even see significant gains in revenue, up to 35%. And lets face it, who doesn’t love staying home in their pajamas and still getting to eat your favorite meal.
2. Table Top Technology
A newer trend in dining is using electronic devices like a tablet or kiosk that allow you to see the full menu and place your order from your table all without having to talk to a server. These devices save on labor and according to a Cornell University study they can speed up whole process from 16%-31%. They also make it easier to add on to your order, make any changes you like before your food arrives or get another tasty beverage. Most of these devices even allow you to pay for your meal, making the whole dinning experience that much easier, no more waiting for a sever that’s “in the weeds”.
3. Digital Reservations and Online Booking
The days of spending hours standing in line or waiting on hold are over ( in most places ). Services like Open Table allow you to check the availability or make reservations at your favorite establishment without having to call ahead and spend 30 minutes on hold. You can also add in key info like a surprise birthday or the fact that it is your anniversary. Many of these systems will even remind you of your reservation and send you alerts when your table is ready.
4. Software
Software is one of the biggest advances in modern restaurant technology. Software now helps with everything from food usage and product loss to managing your recipes, taking inventory, doing employees scheduling, payroll and just about anything else you might need.
This technology allows for more streamlined tracking systems and can even reduce inventory time up to 75% and lets face it, nobody likes doing inventory. There is even predictive ordering technology that gives you clear ideas about what you might to need based on your previous data. These performance driven products are changing the way many restaurants operate and are great way to save money in the long run.
5. Phone Apps and QR Codes
A recent study shows that there are about 3.8 Billion people who own smartphones and that number is growing everyday. With the ever increasing number of people owning smartphones about one in three restaurants are already using apps or web base technologies. Offering a myriad of benefits and bonuses to the user like loyalty points, discounts, promotions and deals only found within the app. A good number of these apps allow you to see the menu and place an order right from your phone, they also allow you to use your loyalty points for discounts, upgrades and add ones. Some apps even go into great detail to show you the status of your order throughout the entire process.
If no app is available chances are they have a scannable QR code on your table, this allows you to use your phones camera to scan a code and see the menu and any specials that might be offered. This is another great trend because, who even knows when the last time that paper menu was cleaned.
6. Bluetooth Temperature Sensors
If you have ever worked with food you know that temperature is one of the most crucial factors in the kitchen and no one wants to get customers sick. One of the coolest advances in restaurant technology are the Bluetooth temperature sensors, either hand held or fixed these sensors can tell you and exact temperature in less than four seconds. They can also be set up with alerts and custom temperature limits so you can be sure that everything is exactly where it needs to be. When it comes time to filling out the daily paperwork for HACCP ( Hazardous Analysis Critical Control Point or food safety) you now have the ability to wirelessly record all of that data including the exact temperature at certain times thus taking human error or forgetfulness out of the equation.
This technology helps you take a proactive approach to food safety and customer satisfaction, it is always good to know that the foods being served were properly time and temperature controlled.
Who knows what wonders are to come in the continuing advancements of restaurant technology but I personally am excited to see just how far we can go and what the next major break through might be. Who knows maybe these delivery drones will take the world by storm.
