Infographic 4 Technology Trends Shaping the Restaurant Industry
COVID-19 permanently altered the restaurant landscape.
By Insight Editor / 9 Mar 2022 / Topics: Digital transformation Customer experience
As restrictions ease, restaurants are once again opening their doors for full operations — but many changes brought about by pandemic are here to stay. Explore four key trends that will define the modern dining experience.
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COVID-19 permanently altered the food industry.
With restrictions in place, delivery increased, QR codes made a comeback and curbside pickup became the new normal. The pandemic also initiated major labor concerns:
- 4.5 million Americans quit their jobs in November 2021.
- 1 million of these were restaurant and hotel employees.
But even as restrictions ease, technology is still evolving.
It’s time to embrace technology in the restaurant world. Here are four trends to watch in 2022.
1. Contactless
Touchless options are taking the industry by storm — even in fine dining.
Via QR codes or self-serve tablets, diners have full access to a menu as soon as they’re seated.
At their convenience, customers can —
- Place their order
- Request refills
- Pay their bill
Contactless technology offers:
- More control of the dining experience
- Less wait time
- Increased satisfaction
Diners have spoken.
- 79% Of customers say they prefer to order through online kiosks rather than staff.
- 78% Of customers say they enjoy the benefits of ordering with QR codes
2. Automation
By automating processes, you’ll save money, eliminate waste and reduce unnecessary employee pressure.
Automation can take many forms:
- Back-of-house automation: 90% of restaurants agree this would allow staff to focus on more important tasks.
- Delivery and food-order automation: 62% say these tools would fill critical gaps in managing orders placed online, whether directly or through apps.
- Customer communication: 46% say this automation would help fill critical gaps in staffing.
3. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Tap into a new level of engagement and optimization with AI.
Facial-recognition kiosks that recall preferences, voice ordering capabilities through Alexa or Google Home, optimized employee scheduling — the possibilities are endless.
Benefits of AI include:
- Reduced costs
- Improved employee satisfaction
- Enhanced customer experience
- Better data collection & trend forecasting
- Fewer human errors
- Support for sustainability initiatives
4. Hyper-personalization
In a world built on algorithms, modern consumers have heightened expectations for their food experience.
With curated customer data, you’ll:
- Offer specialized deals & coupons based on customer browsing and past orders.
- Provide weather-based & time-of-day recommendations via geo-targeting.
- Better your inventory-management & update recommendations based on available product.
- Increase repeat visits & boost customer loyalty through heightened satisfaction.
The future of dining is here. Are you ready?
Insight has a host of experts ready to help you navigate these IT trends. We’ll help upgrade your hardware, manage multiple platforms, optimize security and more.
Sources:
1 Kaplan, J. Hoff, A. (2022, January 4). A record-high 1 million restaurant and hotel workers quit in November — and it shows the labor shortage might really be a wage shortage. Business Insider.
2 Lightspeed. (2021). Global State of the Hospitality Industry Report.
3 Square. (2021, December 8). The Future of Restaurants Report: 2022 Edition
