How Technology is Helping Restaurants

As we all know, the restaurant landscape is ever changing, especially when it comes to innovative restaurant technology. Embracing these changes and adopting new technologies within your restaurants will help you stay competitive and thrive in this busy industry.

Types of technology used in a restaurant

New technology in restaurants is constantly on the rise. Here are some of the common types of restaurant technologies:

• Touchscreen point of sale terminals - Usually powered by restaurant POS software, touchscreen terminals increase efficiency and ensure staff are operating at the correct restaurant pace.
• Order and pay at the table and self-order kiosks - According to Square, 69% of customers find self-service kiosks convenient when it comes to ordering and paying, however this is generally agreed upon in the younger generation, whereas older generations would prefer to order from a person. Order and pay at the table capabilities make it much easier for diners to enjoy their meal without needing to wait for staff to serve them.
• Kitchen display screens (KDS) - These keep kitchens moving efficiently and reduce the chances of errors occurring compared to traditional ticketing systems. They’re also increasing in popularity as they’re a more environmentally friendly option compared to printing tickets.

The importance of technology in restaurants

Utilising the latest technology in restaurants is a crucial element in helping restaurants run smoothly. They enhance customer experiences, streamline operations and drive efficiency. By continually updating your restaurant technology solutions you’re staying ahead of the curve and ensuring you don’t fall behind your competitors. 

How technology is changing the restaurant industry

There are a number of technological factors affecting restaurants, such as:

Data analytics software

When restaurants utilise data analytics software to identify trends and patterns in consumer behaviour they’re enabling themselves to be able to make data-driven decisions that are likely to lead to positive results. Once you understand peak dining hours, the most popular and least popular items on the menu and the type of experiences your customers are looking for, you’ll be able to deliver excellent customer service every time.

Utilsing data analytics software like Yumpingo’s Customer Experience Management Platform will enable your restaurant to build and retain new customers all while boosting profits.

Restaurant AI technology

AI has revolutionised the way the restaurant industry works. By giving customers the ability to track their online orders or order and pay at self-serve kiosks, AI has reduced manual labour in restaurants and has freed up time for other important tasks to be completed. 

AI can also help restaurant owners forecast their required inventory and demand for certain days of the week and holidays, allowing them to better plan for those busier periods.

Online ordering apps

Online ordering and delivery apps have given restaurants the opportunity to widen their pool of potential customers. By not just targeting those who want to dine in, but by targeting those looking for an easy dinner option with minimal effort, restaurants are allowing themselves to build new relationships with customers that can build loyalty.

However to be truly successful at this, restaurants will need to adapt their steps of service to accommodate an effective and efficient food delivery process.

Online table reservations

Online table reservation systems have made it easier than ever for customers to book ahead of time. There’s no more need to phone up to book a table and it reduces the number of people waiting around or having to come back later to be able to get a table. Ultimately, the introduction of online table reservations has reduced the time it takes for staff to manually arrange bookings and has decreased the number of disappointed staff looking to get a table.

Restaurant industry technology trends

Collecting and analysing this goldmine of insight doesn’t have to disrupt operations either. In fact, it can be done through a turnkey solution that helps restaurant brands make impactful decisions across the company, relentlessly raising the bar.

Loyalty programmes will be key to boosting business growth

Loyalty programmes have been key to boosting restaurant revenue. Those who have implemented loyalty programmes have seen an increase in order sizes and return visits, ultimately resulting in positive ROI.

However, you can’t just implement a loyalty programme and expect it to bring customers flocking in. You need to truly understand your audience, their behaviours and what food and experiences they expect from you to be able to deliver a meaningful programme. You can use data analytics programmes like Yumpingo to identify these key elements to help you build loyalty programmes that drive revenue.

Multiple revenue streams are seen as the path to growth by restaurant operators

More and more restaurant leaders are looking for different ways to boost revenue outside of the restaurant. For example, we’ve recently seen an increase in restaurants offering merchandise, pre-made food and beverages, providing cooking classes as well as selling books and subscription packages. In fact 67% of people have said that they would be interested in purchasing items outside of the menu, making this an attractive way for restaurants to increase revenue. 

Customers would like more convenient ordering and payment options

According to Square, 60% of customers would not return to a restaurant if they didn’t provide convenient ordering and payment options. Consumers are now looking for even quicker and easier ways to transact with you, so if you’re not acting quick enough or providing convenient options for your customers, you’re likely to lose them. 

However, this ultimately depends on your audience, emphasising the importance of you understanding exactly what your audience is looking for. For example, if you mainly have a younger audience, quicker transactions that don’t involve having to converse with a member of staff may be a better option. Whereas if you largely have an older audience they’re more likely to want to experience a more human first, less rushed approach to their dining experience.

Enhance your restaurant operations with Yumpingo

At Yumpingo, we’ve been empowering hospitality teams to make high-impact, intuitive decisions with certainty since 2016.

Through our intuitive customer experience management platform, we capture customer sentiment on all on-premise, delivery, and off-premise orders via a QR code, post-dine email, or Yumpingo device, making the most of every customer interaction.

Our customer experience management platform integrates with the restaurant’s Point of Sale, ensuring transparent data sharing across every level of the business, from front of house, straight through to head office. This insight is then transformed into Smart Actions that instruct teams on the specific measures to take to solve critical food, drink, and service execution issues.

Get in touch with us today or book a free consultation to learn more about how we can enhance your restaurant operations.