Popular Restaurant Technology Trends

Technology has been constantly changing and updating over the years, and it shows no signs of stopping. Restaurants are also in the process of adopting and utilizing these technologies to increase revenue, reduce overhead costs, and maximize efficiency.

Let’s take a look at how restaurants have adapted or looking to utilize emerging technologies to their advantage.

Digitalized Point of Sale (POS) systems

As opposed to the old fashioned cash registers, more and more restaurants are now opting to use digital PoS systems. This is fast becoming one of the most common digital components of a restaurant.

Benefits

Flexibility with the payment methods that can be accepted (Apple Pay, Venmo, etc.)
Gather information that allows restaurants to optimize their inventory purchasing patterns, food ordering patterns of diners, marketing strategies, etc
Increasing convenience by speeding up checkout. The ability to receive payments through your diners’ mobile phones will make the process much easier and faster
Retention of both customers and employees by having up-to-date, convenient, and enticing services. This will improve the customer experience and reduce stress for employees


Digital and Online Ordering Systems

Ever seen restaurants that feature self-ordering kiosks (McDonald's comes to mind), tablets, or digital menu screens? These are all parts of digital ordering systems that facilitate ordering, receiving, and paying for food all through the diners’ end without interacting with any employees. Taking this a bit further online ordering systems are also widely used so that people can order food from home.

Benefits

Eliminate potential errors caused by humans
Upsell and cross-sell popular and demanded dishes
Improve the menu by using the information gathered from ordering patterns
Enhance the efficiency of order taking, delivering, and payments

Free WiFi facilities

This is a relatively easy way of enticing diners to visit your restaurant without that much of an investment. You can read all about it here.

Mobile Applications

Mobile usage of the world's population is extremely high already and it will only keep going up as time progresses. In fact, more than ⅓ rd of the world’s population now uses mobile phones.

This means having a mobile presence will be very beneficial to any business.

As for a restaurant, having online ordering, online table reservations and such will be very beneficial as a lot of people who are online use mobiles.

Benefits

Increase brand awareness and build trust by being present
Streamline the online ordering process with efficient digital tools and software
Give diners the ability to order anytime, anywhere
Give diners the ability to reserve tables beforehand
Integrate with loyalty systems to drive retention
Provide personalized offers and promotions

Social Media

Social Media is one of the most powerful digital channels in the world right now. While it’s not exactly new technology, continuous growth, and change of social media has resulted in the channel as a whole being one of the most potent tools when it comes to promoting and improving the conversions of a business.

Benefits
Increase brand awareness and build trust by being present
Break the communication gap between you and your diners
Put a face on the name through building identity and personality
Affordable advertising, even for small business
Targeted advertising to capture your target audience

Utilizing these technologies for your restaurant can increase revenue, reduce overhead costs, maximize efficiency, and increase retention.