The term “automation” has a terrible reputation. Many restaurants have been cautious to adopt new technology in the past, sometimes for fear of the unknown, and sometimes for fear of losing the human touch that is so important when running a restaurant. All of that is changing now.
Automation is more accessible than ever before. 57% of restaurant owners believe that implementing new technology in the previous two years has been crucial to their company’s survival. During the epidemic, several restaurant proprietors implemented automated technologies out of need. They were astounded by how much automation might really make hard activities easier, allowing them to operate their firms more efficiently while retaining that critical human element.
Automation Technologies For Your Restaurant
Check out our top 5 automation technologies for your business, which range from internet ordering to kitchen displays.
1. Online and QR Code Ordering
When dining in-house or ordering takeout, guests can use their phones to place orders, using digital menus or QR codes. This ordering approach allows customers greater influence over their dining experience while also allowing employees to focus on the complete customer experience rather than just accepting orders.
According to a recent Lightspeed survey, online purchasing will be one of the three most often used technology tools in 2022, alongside task automation technology (including QR code ordering) and employee shift management technology. Out of all the tools, 36% of firms agreed that new or extended online ordering systems benefitted their business the most.
Online ordering might also aid in revenue generation. Customers who order food online spend at least $50 every order, and those who do will visit 67% more frequently than those who do not.
2. Customer-Facing Displays
When dealing with clients, transparency is essential. A customer-facing display in a quick-service scenario can eliminate back-and-forth and potential complications at the checkout. A customer-facing display is a screen that is frequently put at the point of sale and displays a breakdown of the order as well as checkout totals, percentages, items purchased, and any other important information for the customer. Including screens in your setup improves the whole experience and avoids any blunders at the cash register.
3. Platforms for Delivery And Takeout
From upscale dining to quick-service eateries, more restaurants are offering delivery than ever before. Most homes now order delivery or takeout at least once a week, with 60% of U.S. customers doing so at least once a week. Managing distribution in-house, on the other hand, can be costly and logistically problematic. Many eateries employ third-party platforms such as Uber Eats and DoorDash to provide delivery and reach a larger audience. With so many competing platforms, coordinating delivery orders can be difficult. Finding a point of sale that automatically syncs all of your delivery orders in one spot will allow you to manage incoming orders with ease.
4. Kitchen Display Systems
A restaurant is only as good as its front and back of house communication. When taking orders by pen and paper, printers, or even memory, it is simple for orders to be misplaced or misinformed when telling back-of-house workers. Kitchen displays are an excellent solution to the ever-present communication issue.
These monitors are positioned in the back of the house and allow workers to view incoming orders. There is less back and forth and running around in front of the house with a kitchen display, as well as less blunders, clutter, or waste. Kitchen screens combined with iPads ensure that whatever information is entered is passed on to the kitchen personnel.
5. Automated Inventory Management
A restaurant’s inventory management can make or ruin it. Do it well, save money, and ensure you always have what you need. If you get it incorrectly, you’ll run out of crucial items during busy shifts, increasing your inventory expenses and waste. This crucial stage should not be overlooked. Inventory management is another daily procedure that is susceptible to human mistake. Inventory counts are simplified by automation, which helps restaurants decrease waste and maintain track of item usage. You can simply find out how much food you have on hand, how much you used up, and how much you need to order with automated inventory management software linked to your point of sale.
Automation is here for good
From personnel shortages to price increases, restaurants must adapt in order to prosper or even survive the industry’s never-ending challenges. Adopting automation technology will not only assist restaurants in finding methods to save and cut prices, but it will also free up personnel to focus on what matters most: offering an exceptional experience and keeping customers satisfied.