Restaurants currently face significant challenges that impact their operations and profitability. The changing economy, workforce, competition, and customer behaviors all require restaurants to adapt. Overcoming each of these challenges is easier when you implement purpose-built restaurant technology.
Combat Labor Shortages With Self-Service
The restaurant industry has recovered from job losses that began in 2020, but while labor issues are beginning to resolve, they are far from over. Labor costs more than it did at the beginning of the decade, and some restaurant operators still struggle to find and retain staff. Operating without a full staff and dealing with a high employee turnover rate often results in disruptions in service and dining experiences that leave customers wanting more.
A practical solution is to leverage kiosks and tabletop solutions to accept orders and payments.
Self-Serve Kiosks
Self-serve kiosks empower customers to place their own orders, reducing the need for a large front-of-house team. Kiosks streamline processes and accelerate service by sending orders directly to a kitchen display system or kitchen printer.
They also minimize errors and food waste. Customers select exactly what they want without the risk that a server or counter worker will misunderstand them.
When you deploy kiosks as a part of your restaurant automation strategy, you may also benefit from increased revenues. Kiosk solutions that consistently upsell can boost sales by 30%.
Tabletop Solutions
Tabletop tablets allow customers to browse the menu, place orders, and even pay without the need for a waiter. They improve dining experiences by reducing wait times and providing instant access to menu information and customization options.
When guests have ordering and payment autonomy, wait staff can focus on serving food, enhancing customer interactions, and building relationships and loyalty.
Restaurant Automation to Tackle Rising Costs
Food prices continue to rise. Therefore, restaurants must make data-based ordering decisions and minimize waste. Restaurant technology solutions give you that control.
Inventory Management Systems
Leading inventory management solutions empower restaurants to track real-time stock levels, provide data for accurate forecasting, and automate purchasing processes. These restaurant technology solutions can alert management when stock levels are low or foods are nearing their expiration. This insight helps managers ensure that your restaurant is always well-stocked while minimizing waste and loss.
Connect the Front and Back of House
Operating efficiently is key to controlling costs. A kitchen display system integrated with your point of sale (POS) system enables transferring orders directly to the kitchen. By streamlining communications, staff can prepare orders without errors, eliminating rework and food waste.
Outshine the Competition
The restaurant industry has always been competitive. However, with widely available online ordering and delivery services, restaurants are vying for business with even more competitors. So, how can you outsmart the competition?
Online Ordering Integrations
You can build your online presence and offer seamless online ordering to stay competitive. Integrating online ordering systems with your restaurant point of sale (POS) system ensures that staff manages orders efficiently from various platforms, including your website or mobile app and third-party delivery services. Integration eliminates the need to re-key orders into the POS system, saving time and reducing errors.
Exceed Customer Expectations
Customer preferences and expectations are changing. Diners want great food and transparency to ensure it meets their dietary needs. However, they also want personalized service that enhances their experiences. Keeping up with these evolving demands requires restaurant automation, flexibility, and innovation.
Digital Menu Management
You can leverage digital menu boards and signage to inform customers of new items, seasonal specials, and nutritional information. Using these restaurant technology solutions for menu management allows you to quickly update items if stock runs low and to promote specials or high-margin items.
Customizations Through Tabletop Solutions and Self-Serve Kiosks
Consumers who engage with businesses online are accustomed to the system recognizing them. Digital platforms give them easy access to their payment information and loyalty accounts and even make recommendations based on their past orders and preferences. You can enhance dining experiences by offering similar experiences in your restaurant.
The kiosks and tabletop solutions you deploy can recognize customers who opt into your loyalty program and make ordering, payment, and earning loyalty rewards as easy as if they were interacting online. They’ll have the control to order exactly what they want and take advantage of offers that are tailored specifically to them, enhancing customer satisfaction.
Do You Have The Restaurant Technology You Need to Thrive?
The restaurant industry is facing multiple challenges to a degree it has never experienced before. Fortunately, restaurant technology offers practical solutions and can even provide new capabilities that can help build loyalty and revenues.
Connect with a solutions provider today to explore your options for restaurant automation and upgrade technology to solve these problems.
