How To Speed Up Your Restaurant’s Digital Transformation

The global food service market size, in 2022, was estimated to be US $2395 billion and is likely to grow up to US $5423.59 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 10.79% during the estimated period, according to Fortune Business Insights. Here, food service establishment means restaurants, eateries, or any food joint that allows dine-in and/or takeaway deliveries of food.

Digital transformation can revolutionize your restaurants by improving customer experience and automating manual day-to-day tasks. Imagine you are getting twice the order by simply sitting at your convenience. Also, you provide your esteemed patrons menu through a QR code and there is a free online ordering system for them? All this and many more features and functionalities are possible through the digitalization of your restaurant.

Do you know that digitalization is happening at an unprecedented pace? You will be stunned to learn the latest restaurant technology trends that are currently empowering even the smallest restaurant owner to boost their business. Why is your restaurant lagging? It’s high time to completely transform your food business into a hi-tech digital entity.

But a million-dollar question is how to take your restaurant on digital platforms. How to provide your patron an unparalleled digital convenience?

In this short guide, we will drive you through the tactics that help you speed up your restaurant’s digital avatar.

Online Ordering and Delivery

There are ample digital platforms available on the Internet and application stores you can use to boost your restaurant business. Simply register your restaurant and unlock substantial opportunities to tap patrons beyond geographical boundaries. On-demand food delivery apps allow patrons to browse through restaurants, find their favorite dishes, and order them online. They can also securely pay for their orders and the parcel is delivered to their doorsteps.

AI in Restaurant Apps

Mordor Intelligence quotes that the AI in the food and beverages market is showing substantial growth with an expected shoot from US $7 billion in 2023 to US $35.42 billion by 2028. You can adapt to AI tools to transform your restaurant digitally.

• Personalized recommendation: AI can analyze patrons’ data to suggest dishes based on their past choices.
• Efficient table management: AI can predict peak time and optimize table turnover; hence, it reduces the wait time.
• Inventory management: Artificial Intelligence can forecast the demands and supply of raw materials.
• Voice-activated ordering: Your esteemed patrons can simply place an order using voice commands.
• Chatbots: AI-enabled chatbots can assist your patrons 24/7 with any query or concern.

Internet of Things

The IoT is gradually but steadily increasing its penetration in almost all sectors including the restaurant business. The IoT devices are connected and, therefore, can transform your food business like never before.

• Smart devices: smart ovens, smart refrigerators, and robot chefs use sensors and artificial intelligence to automatize all tasks. They also offer real-time monitoring and analysis to take informed devices.
• Energy management: Energy Management systems (EMS) are emerging with IoT to optimize energy consumption and thus reduce costs. It can include energy monitoring, predictive maintenance, and automated control of electronic appliances.
• GPS-powered solutions: IoT can also be equipped with GPS-based features wherein marketing materials can be sent to specific people in proximity. Say, instant discounts to patrons passing by the restaurants.

Secure Payment Gateways

For any business secured payment gateways are essential to win the trust of customers. Here, you can offer myriad options to your customers and build their faith. Such online secure payments offer both security and convenience. To make your restaurant digital, think of offering these payment methods

• Mobile wallets
• Cryptocurrency
• Credit/debit card
• QR scan

Restaurant POS System

You can enhance your restaurant’s digital experience by building restaurant point-of-sale software to engage customers and boost sales. Such tools facilitate easy billing and provide insight into waste control, kitchen management, and online ordering and delivery. Think of having these features –

• Kitchen display system
• KOT management
• Recipe management

AR/VR for Restaurant Business

Surprise your patrons with interactive digital menus to choose their favorite dishes. It is one of the quickest ways to transform your restaurant business into a digital ecosystem.

• Interactive ingredient selection: A virtual menu can help select specific ingredients and the dishes based on it can be displayed.
• Calorie and nutrition guide: Through AR/VR technologies, you can have detailed nutrition information integrated with the digital menu.
• Digital storytelling: You can use AR/VR to create visually appealing storytelling with AV content deployed on an app or a device.

Restaurant Management System

The restaurant management system can optimize day-to-day tasks and contribute to business growth in the long run through strategic decision-making and flawless customer relationship management.

• Easy and flexible menu: The digital menu enables you to edit, add, and remove dishes easily.
• Inventory tracking: Get real-time updates on raw materials and other inventory to prevent stockouts.
• Data analytics: Gain actionable insightful information through scattered customer data analytics.
• Fiscal oversight: Integrated accounting software can simplify your budget and expense calculations.
• Enhanced UX: Users or customers can get faster services due to automation.

Gamification – Your Path to Create Loyalty

You can show your patrons that you care about them and don’t want to leave any stone unturned in pleasing their loyalty. Gamification is one of the quickest ways to turn your restaurant into a digital landscape.

• Consider the number of times they have ordered from your restaurant
• The total amount of orders in a specific period (say one month)
• The number of people they referred your restaurants to
• Since how long they have been your customers?

Use Cases of Restaurant Digitalization in the Modern World

The food delivery and restaurant industry has remarkably improved as the technologies have evolved with its pace, advancement, and gadgets. You can embark on your digital transformation for your restaurant and witness potential growth in your business.

You cannot simply doubt the benefits of digitalization to the restaurant industry because many popular food chains and restaurants have already adopted software solutions to their business operations and marketing.

Here are some of the popular use cases of restaurant’s digital revolution –

Dominos

Dominos revamped its business models around digital innovation such as online ordering, tracking, and real-time stats. Due to this, they witness remarkable growth in their business worldwide. There is a popular Domino case study on real-time data and analytics improving the efficiency and sales of Dominos.

Tim Hortons

Tim Hortons unveiled their Back to Basics plan which was a digital transformation program keeping customers in the center. They tried to get rid of long queues with the help of a digital solution – a bespoke kiosk based on the popular EV Slimline 27.

Taco Bell

Taco Bell introduced six core menu items at reduced prices and offered free drink refills. The sales boosted back then in 1988. The restaurant giant continued to change and innovate. The new strategies included integrating a set of operations research models and using predictive analysis and simulation to determine the optimum labor required. Ultimately, according to a case study, the company saved more than US $52 million in resources.

Ready to Embrace Digital Transformation for Your Restaurant?

Now that you are clear by the facts and figures that restaurant digital transformation is not just essential to manage your restaurant but also to boost your sales, this is high time that you find the best restaurant platform to list your business and start enjoying the benefits. Offer your patrons an experience that they will remember forever.