Quite often restaurants face the challenge of keeping up with the constant changing dynamics of consumer behaviours, lifestyles, trends, and demographics. Not to mention the disruption caused by the ongoing technological transformation. This has been beneficial for new and emerging restaurants for whom the barriers of entry are lower than ever. Technology in terms of food tech will play a pivotal role in ensuring these restaurants position themselves for future growth and strengthen their overall experience to achieve in-market success.
The following pointers showcase the factors that are influencing the need for food technology in restaurants:
1. Reinventing the dining experience
More and more consumers are using their mobile devices to explore, order, carry out, pay, and share their dining experiences. This makes it vital for restaurants to develop their own mobile experiences using consumer-inspired and brand-relevant apps that provide digitally enhanced offerings, loyalty programs, as well as integration with their Point-of-Sale (POS) system. In addition to this, restaurant owners can implement Artificial Intelligence in their operations, either through kiosks or chatbots, freeing up staff from taking orders and reservations.
2. Provide an immersive experience
In an age where consumers prefer experience over convenience, the restaurant industry is capable of delivering such experiences and exceed expectations. Use an exclusive in-store feature that allows diners to customize and control what they add to their meals. You should personalize your menu as per different locations and target younger customers. Add items on your menu that align with emerging dietary trends, and create an experimental outlet that caters to young tech-savvy consumers, who seek new tastes and expect an immersive dining experience.
3. Connectivity in the kitchen
A lesser-known aspect of the customers’ dining experience is the kitchen routing technology used by the back of house. Used in the form of Kitchen Display Systems (KDS), they eliminate the need to rely on paper ticket system, making the whole process digital. These systems ensure accuracy and efficiency of the staff and kitchen with speed of service, thereby adding value to the overall customer experience. Some KDS devices can also route your orders, timing the order for your customers so that each item is prepared and served in tandem.
4. Server performance and seating efficiency
Tracking how long it takes you to serve customers without the aid of technology can be time-consuming and inefficient. Food Technology gathers the data you need to optimize your operation, whether it is through the aid of a kitchen automation solution or a guest management platform. With these metrics in hand, you can identify the bottlenecks in your operation and improve them. Ultimately, this technology will help you reduce wait times, ensure food comes at the right temperature and result in repeat diners.
5. The social media effect on restaurants
Customers often share their food experiences on social media. The dining experience is no longer defined by the act of eating food alone - all elements of a customers’ experience need to be taken into consideration. Restaurants can use digital advertising to entice customers either through offers, tie-ups with third-party food delivery apps or simply engage with them. Technology in terms of automated apps can help make the whole process easier by reaching out to customers on social media that share the same interests and are located near the restaurant.
Restaurant food tech in Dubai is already a major disruptor in the industry. Right from logistics to food preparation to customer service, technology drives innovation and recognizes problem areas that can be solved. Automation in restaurants either in the form of apps or digital systems can help ease the daily operations leading to faster turnover times, leading to repeat customers.
