Customers may not think of restaurants as beacons of modern technology, but that is exactly the key to successful technology integration within the foodservice industry. Beginning with reservations, through ordering, cooking, handling the check, and concluding with analyzing the transaction, technology touches nearly every part of a customer’s experience with a restaurant. Because of this close relationship, knowing a few dos and don’ts about harnessing technology to improve and streamline your restaurant is essential in remaining successful in today’s landscape.
- Do use technology to streamline your process with user-tested, established technology having a small buzzer to alert a customer their table is ready is more efficient than yelling a name into a crowded patio, as is using an integrated POS software system to enter and track orders rather than using paper tickets. While some business owners may have a small learning curve with this technology, these newer innovations should be embraced
POS software system
- Having a small buzzer to alert a customer their table is ready is more efficient than yelling a name into a crowded patio, as is using an integrated POS software system to enter and track orders rather than using paper tickets. While some business owners may have a small learning curve with this technology, these newer innovations should be embraced
- Don’t use technology to overly automate all processes or jump onto first-wave emerging technologyFirst-wave technology is edgy and trendy and can certainly make a big impression on both staff and customers but may end up costing the business a chunk of its bottom line if major problems or bugs arise among first users. Using augmented reality to display menu options, for instance, may be a draw for some crowds, it is not the soundest investment for a restaurant for a variety of reasons.
- First-wave technology is edgy and trendy and can certainly make a big impression on both staff and customers but may end up costing the business a chunk of its bottom line if major problems or bugs arise among first users. Using augmented reality to display menu options, for instance, may be a draw for some crowds, it is not the soundest investment for a restaurant for a variety of reasons.
- Do be a well-connected businessCustomers learn about restaurants from all kinds of methods – social media, search engines, and word of mouth all have the potential to bring in customers. Embrace technology to help drive these streams of traffic. Hiring a social media or content creator can help create organic awareness within customer bases while also helping the restaurant learn more about its target audience.
Social media
- Customers learn about restaurants from all kinds of methods – social media, search engines, and word of mouth all have the potential to bring in customers. Embrace technology to help drive these streams of traffic. Hiring a social media or content creator can help create organic awareness within customer bases while also helping the restaurant learn more about its target audience.
- Don’t be a ghost on social media. Once there is an established online presence, don’t just set it and forget it, however. Engaging in social media is a way to show customers that the business or brand cares about them. Follow through is a way to create intimacy and develop a relationship with the customer base. Being a ghost on social media or just a picture-poster shows one-sidedness and lack of interest, driving away business more than it brings in.
- Once there is an established online presence, don’t just set it and forget it, however. Engaging in social media is a way to show customers that the business or brand cares about them. Follow through is a way to create intimacy and develop a relationship with the customer base. Being a ghost on social media or just a picture-poster shows one-sidedness and lack of interest, driving away business more than it brings in.
- Do use technology to focus on customers. Using an integrated POS software can really bring your business to the next level. Combining a POS system with inventory management, loyalty programs, and even supply and ordering forecasting can really help save time and encourage better business decisions and happier customers. Servers can provide customers with up-to-the-minute information on specials and order status, and instantly communicate with the back-of-house for incoming orders.
Integrated
- Using an integrated POS software can really bring your business to the next level. Combining a POS system with inventory management, loyalty programs, and even supply and ordering forecasting can really help save time and encourage better business decisions and happier customers. Servers can provide customers with up-to-the-minute information on specials and order status, and instantly communicate with the back-of-house for incoming orders.
- Don’t forget to use technology to engage with your wider community, as well. In addition to using technology to develop customer relations and smooth the inner workings of a restaurant, using it to help create a wider community is another essential. Ignoring your restaurant’s surroundings can have devastating consequences for a business. Creating community with surrounding businesses can help drive business and create a more welcoming environment for all customers.
- In addition to using technology to develop customer relations and smooth the inner workings of a restaurant, using it to help create a wider community is another essential. Ignoring your restaurant’s surroundings can have devastating consequences for a business. Creating community with surrounding businesses can help drive business and create a more welcoming environment for all customers.
Overall, embracing technology while also realizing that jumping into the proverbial deep-end can be detrimental. A nice POS software that can offer improved efficiency, record management, and inventory control is nice, but holographic menus are not a wise investment for any restaurant. Additionally, keeping an eye out on future trends is also a smart idea in this ever-evolving landscape of restaurant technology.