The food industry has changed dramatically over the past few years. The changes have been largely influenced by technological advances. They’ve made it easier for restaurants to provide more personalized services and create better quality meals.
The food industry is as competitive as ever, with new restaurants popping up all the time.
But…
The technological advances have given them an edge in this cutthroat market. The innovations allow restaurant owners to spend less on labor costs while providing a better experience for customers.
Restaurant customers continuously demand higher customer service standards from their favorite fast-food chains or other grocery stores. Some of these advancements include:
- POS systems that have streamlined how restaurants handle finances and order fulfillment
- Online delivery apps bring customers even more convenience in finding their favorite dishes at a time that works best for them
- Social media marketing strategies to connect with potential diners and offer up exclusive promotions they won’t find anywhere else
- Microwave ovens and other kitchen appliances allow chefs to prepare food faster than ever before without sacrificing quality or taste
- Self-service kiosks where guests can order quickly from an iPad mounted on the wall instead of waiting around awkwardly while someone takes your order.
Here’re a few innovations driving the industry forward:
5 Amazing Technologies Changing the Hospitality Industry
- POS Systems
POS stands for Point of Sale, which is the point in time when an order is made. It also marks the end of one transaction and starts another with data from what was just completed.
A POS system’s main function is recording transactions. It adds items to a customer’s bill and deducts payments on behalf of customers. In restaurant counters where the system is in use, an employee records customers’ orders with their respective prices and, once paid, produce receipts.
A POS software improves operational efficiency. It gives managers access to data from anywhere, decreasing wait times at checkout counters. The system also improves customer satisfaction through improved accuracy of orders received via phone sales.
A good POS software can adapt over time, given how quickly technology changes. Businesses stay up-to-date with POS systems to make sure they’re best positioned to run their operations smoothly and efficiently.
Some POS systems are also designed for specific restaurants. For example, a business owner can get a custom pizza restaurant POS system for chefs at pizzerias. This ensures that every business has a system built to meet their unique needs. Check out authorityautomation.com for an example.
- Online Delivery Apps
Online delivery apps have also made it easier for restaurants to process orders more efficiently and smoothly. POS systems can provide information about customers, such as their past order history.
The online ordering option has made some restaurants earn more aside from offering dine-in services. It provides an additional point of contact for customers who want food delivered, but don’t need anything else serviced or provided by the restaurant itself.
POS systems also help make processing online orders faster and smoother because they can offer customer feedback through past order histories. “Smart” technology now allows customers to order and pay for their food without having to interact with a human server.
Tablet-based ordering systems give diners more control over their meal choices. It allows them to customize meals and digital menu boards, allowing restaurants to update their menus remotely.
- Social Media
Restaurants using social media platforms to promote their businesses are probably among those with the greatest breakthroughs. Not only does it help their restaurant’s marketing strategy, but social media also makes customer engagement easier.
The ability to post a picture or video on Facebook and potentially reach thousands- if not millions – of people is empowering for businesses as well as customers. Social media also serves as a place where people can see some reviews or feedback from customers.
Some popular social media platforms include:
- Tiktok
- Microwave Oven and Other Kitchen Appliances
Microwaves offer faster cook times to create a restaurant’s signature dishes. They also make it easier for chefs to prepare food in bulk without sacrificing quality.
Ovens with better heating capabilities can maintain temperature even when being used by multiple customers at once. This means there’s a low chance of overcooking and still provide consistent results regardless of the number of users at any given time.
Microwave oven usage has increased drastically since they were first introduced into the market about 50 years ago. It helped restaurants save time on meal preparation while giving them greater control over ingredients – microwaves use far fewer calories than other heaters.
Hence, there’s less risk of burning up expensive ingredients.
The invention of freezers also greatly helps the restaurant industry when it comes to storing supplies. Nowadays, restaurants can use smart kitchen appliances with minimal supervision of employees because they use software that allows programming.
- Self-Service Kiosks
This is common in fast-food restaurants. It’s an automated way to take orders; the kiosks require fewer staff members than a traditional cashier or waiter does.
Self-service kiosks allow customers to select their own food and drinks and pay with cash or credit card. It can also inform the restaurant employees in advance about the order of customers.
The restaurant industry has changed drastically over the past few decades, with many technological advances paving the way for new business ways.
The tech advances discussed in this article are just a few of the technological developments revolutionizing restaurant operations, but there are plenty more. Which one of these technologies have you tried? Let us know in the comments box below.
