Can you point out a sector in the global economy that hasn’t been affected by the prevailing technological changes? Probably not. Technically, every sector of the economy has been hit by the trending wave of technological advancements; talk of online learning and remote working, not forgetting our main point of focus today, the restaurant industry.
For a long time now, the restaurant industry has been lagging in terms of technology application. However, this has significantly changed, and it too has had its share of improvement from the technological advancements.
Think of contactless payments, QR codes and food delivery services as some of the dominant technology changes in the restaurant industry. Read on to get an insight into other impacts.
1. Online Reviews
Given that most transactions are now conducted online, clients are free to leave their reviews and ratings concerning a particular service. Social media’s growth has seen the rise of personal blogs and review sites where people air out their experiences.
These online reviews can either give a restaurant positive public awareness or leave it struggling with negative reviews that affect its reputation. These reviews put restaurants on their toes to ensure they offer top-notch services to gain positive online feedback. They can be the cause of tremendous growth or the fall of business!
2. Communication
As with other sectors, technology has improved communication between restaurateurs and their clients. Most of the communication is done online through websites and other social media platforms. Typically, if your restaurant is not established online, then a good number of customers won’t know about it or bother visiting you.
You can build a strong communication network by creating a catchy website and social media content, including posting cooking videos and giving recipes and cooking tips.
3. Contactless Payment
The use of mobile wallets and plastic money has gained traction in the hospitality industry for quite some time now. It is aimed at reducing physical contact and increasing payment convenience and efficiency.
You don’t have to load your wallet with cash notes to pay for restaurant services, all you need is your mobile wallet or plastic money, and you’re good to go!
4. Food Ordering Kitchens
Restaurant owners can now join in the new trend where they rent a kitchen or invest in dark kitchens with the aim of operating solely on serving the delivery market. Food ordering kitchens focus on working and customizing orders placed by clients before delivery.
If you are having difficulty finding or renting kitchen space for your new or expanding business, then here is your ultimate solution. Enjoy full access to various commercial kitchen types to suit your needs at flexible and affordable terms.
5. Food Delivery Services
Food delivery has become a popular trend in the restaurant industry, adopted by both the big eateries and the virtual, cloud or ghost kitchens. Restaurants that don’t have websites or delivery apps can incorporate their services in the readily available mobile apps to reach out to their clients.
Through the apps, clients can place their orders, make payments, track their delivery and leave reviews from the comfort of their home or office.
6. Quick Response (QR) Codes
Depending on where you are located, you’ve probably come across QR codes that seem to be appearing almost everywhere.
So, what do these codes do? QR codes can do just about anything a URL can do! Tech-savvy customers can use these codes to access the restaurant’s website, online coupons and even give their feedback after a service.
7. Ordering Online for Pickup
This is one of the most convenient restaurant technologies. It uses easily navigable restaurant mobile apps where customers place their order when away from the restaurant and find it prepared and ready for pickup. It saves on time and reduces crowding in the eateries as people wait for their orders to be prepared.
This strategy seems to work well both for the restaurants and their clients. As a result, it has even made businesses that don’t offer online ordering start thinking towards this line of operation.
These are just some of the numerous ways in which technology has changed the restaurant industry. If you are a restaurant owner seeking to gain the tech-savvy population’s attention, you should take advantage of these new technological opportunities; they will put you ahead of your competitors!
Author:
Anum Sanaullah, the writer finds immense pleasure in seeking out new terrains and then writing about them over a cuppa!
