Technology has impacted every modern industry, and its influences have become part of the everyday management of each sector. The restaurant industry has been one of the industries significantly affected by the rise of technology. Technological advances have allowed restaurant owners and managers to improve their operations, from inventory to marketing. Here are some of the ways technological advances are now shaping the future of the restaurant business:
Online Ordering, Reservation, and Payment
The internet has given restaurants a mobile reservation system – by allowing their clients to make a reservation online. This reservation ability has the power to reduce waiting time when customers arrive. If clients are looking for a delivery, they can order their meal online and trace the delivery’s progress. For clients who dine at the restaurant (as well as those who request food delivery), the restaurant’s online connection allows them to pay their bill (including a tip) online.
Automated Inventory Systems
To have enough quality food available for your customers, you must have an adequate food and supply inventory. The data in a restaurant inventory system is simple, yet it can easily be automated to ease its accuracy. This may be especially useful for establishments that prepare meals designated as family meals. It can be helpful to keep in mind that, according to Eat This, Not That, menu items described as family meals are intended to feed four to five people.
Data Analytics for Planning Assistance
When a restaurant wants to know what food supplies they should order, it can be partially based on their inventory. However, new technology allows restaurant managers to analyze the activity in their restaurants to a further extent. Data analytics can help managers discover which of their meals are most popular – even which meals are most popular on which days. Market analysis can also support the restaurant manager in finding the best food prices – including pre-acquisition of produce from future years’ crops.
Kitchen Management for Efficiency
By analyzing the menus, kitchen layout, and available staff, a computer can help you arrange your restaurant kitchen in an ideal fashion to achieve the best possible outcome. For example, according to A Couple Cooks, a typical recipe for Italian margarita pizza requires three specific elements: tomato sauce, basil, and cheese. By using a programmable pizza oven and allowing a kitchen management system to direct the staff’s movements in creating the pizza, you will enable your staff to make all their food most efficiently.
Health and Safety Standards
Safe preparation of food requires strict adherence to rigorous sanitation regulations. Technology has played a significant part in detecting whether the produce is fresh enough to be served. Restaurants can place their sanitation schedules online and include temperature sensors to ensure safe temperatures for both cooling and cooking. As a manager, you must instruct your staff about hand washing techniques, as about 80% of the germs from illness are spread by your hands.
Customer Service and Loyalty
When clients visit your restaurant and pay on their phone – or online – you can easily add extra features to the payment process. For example, you can add an option for the client to leave an online restaurant review. If the client leaves a negative review, you can respond to them to encourage them to give you another chance. You can request a customer’s email address, which can facilitate the implementation of a customer loyalty system.
Technology also allows you to find and use modern methods to market your restaurant. Using your website and social media pages, you can implement technology with your company’s online presence. As you begin to explore all the options offered by technology, you’ll find many ways you can use technology to benefit your business.
