Have you ever wondered how the adoption of technology can strengthen your business processes and increase profitability? Most of us are well aware that we are in the midst of a digital revolution and had witnessed massive changes sweeping across industries and businesses. This is apparently similar for the restaurant industry. Many of these technological advancements have led to breakthroughs in productivity and at the same time resulted in some practices becoming obsolete.
Tablets
Tablets is starting to become ubiquitous and they are the most widely adopted technology in the local restaurant scene. You can see them at the entrance of the restaurant, at the tables, cashiers and even the back kitchen. Many restaurants are utilising the tablets as a Point of Sale (POS) equipment, to input and receive orders, submit bills and generate a queue for customers.
Digital Receipts
Settling the bill has always been quite of a hassle. Sometimes the request may be missed out, on many occasions where the restaurant is packed, customers may need to wait a substantial amount of time before they get the bill. Many restaurants have invested a large amount of effort to ensure that the food is up to standard and the service standards are excellent. Many restaurants are aware that it is crucial for the customers to leave the restaurant on a good note. Therefore, ensuring that the bill is well taken care of is an important step in leaving a good impression behind.
It may be worthwhile for restaurants to consider allowing guests to make their payment via an application or online payment gateway. Subsequently the receipts can be sent to their inboxes or phones. Through this process, restaurants are able to collect customers’ information and this could become an opportunity for them to build a deeper relationship.
Kitchen Display Screens
With tablets being adopted as Kitchen Display Screens, processes will be easier both on the guest side and also on the kitchen side. The kitchen will no longer miss out on orders and would now be able to keep track of the order queue, with the system helping to prioritise the items on the queue. The management will be able to track on how long orders take to be completed, segmented by menu categories and specific items. This can help in the planning and hiring of kitchen staff.
Restaurant Hiring Apps
The hiring issue remains a great concern for many restaurants, especially when labour costs is rising and supply is tight. Restaurant hiring apps are also becoming more and more prevalent for restaurateurs to find their employee base. In an environment where staff turnover is relatively high, using an app can helps to reduce cost of advertising and eliminate the payment of fees to hiring agencies.
Cloud-Based HR, Accounting and Sales Reporting
In the past, most restaurants only tabulate their sales at the end of each month. With a cloud based software, the management will be able to track their sales on a daily basis, making changes to the menu or introducing marketing promotions based on the information received at the end of each day.
The system will not only be able to provide sales figures, it will also provide real-time updates on the total guests, table turn time, labor cost percentage, payroll reports etc. With the availability of key information at your fingertips, restaurant owners will be able to create better menus, guest experiences and working environments.
Inventory Management
Inventory management software is a huge opportunity for restaurant owners. Every ingredient and food material can be itemised and tracked to measure its cost and amount of usage. Technology has also managed to achieve making inventory, including food cost percentage, easier to track and manage. This can help owners plan purchases and reduce wastage amounts significantly, resulting in lower costs and higher profitability.
Invest for Future Growth
It does seem to be costly to invest in technology, systems and platforms. Moreover, it may also take some time and effort to get familiar with new technology and customers might have to get adjusted to the new processes. However, in the long run, it will help to improve productivity and reduce operating costs. While technology brings about huge conveniences and productivity, it is still best for its role to remain as an enabler. It should not replace the human touch and elements that creates a memorable experience for the customer.
