If you’re a restaurant owner or manager, you already know that keeping your establishment up to date is key to attracting new business. One of the best ways to do this is by adding new technology that can enhance the customer experience and make your operations more efficient and cost-effective. If you’re looking for a few good ideas to give your construction company during your next restaurant renovation, try these.
Technology To Incorporate Into Your Restaurant In 2016
RESTAURANT APPS
Many restaurants are beginning to invest in their own mobile apps. You can program your app to allow customers to easily call in a reservation, browse your menu and download coupons. Mobile technology can also help manage customer’s wait times. Instead of handing out pagers that have a limited frequency range, you can use a customer’s phone number to text him when his table is ready. It’s easy, efficient and gives your customers more freedom to walk around while they wait.
INDOOR/OUTDOOR QSR LCD DISPLAYS
Originally designed for outdoor use, these displays are now coming inside to make customer interactions a lot more efficient. These displays allow the customer to see their order as they talk to your staff in the drive through, or they can be placed inside to let them actually place their order instead of waiting in line. The most advanced systems don’t even require an employee to process the order — the customer simply pays at the kiosk via credit card and the food order is sent directly to monitors in the kitchen. Kiosks can be programmed to promote certain menu items and accept coupons. They’re also ideal for communicating with customers who are unfamiliar with English or have disabilities. These kiosks are improving the accuracy of customer orders, eliminating the need for paid front-end staff, and decreasing customer wait times.
SELF-SERVE BEER AND WINE
Odds are your establishment has used self-serve fountain drinks, so why not extend this idea to alcohol sales? Integrated sensors on the equipment monitor exactly how much each customer is pouring and can charge by the ounce. Customers love that they don’t have to give specific orders to a bartender, and restaurant managers like the efficiency.
TABLE LOCATION SYSTEM
This is a great innovation for quick-service restaurants that want to add the convenient parts of table service for their customers. After ordering, the cashier gives an RFID tag to the customer. This tag tracks the customer around the restaurant and nearby outdoor areas. When the order is ready, a server is able to find the customer quickly on a map of the restaurant and deliver the food. With this handy technology, there’s no need to worry about food arriving at the wrong table.
EQUIPMENT MEASUREMENT
One of the biggest tech developments in the restaurant industry is actually aimed at boosting efficiency behind the scenes in the kitchen. Kitchen appliances have become more technologically advanced, and the Internet of Things (IoT) is opening up a whole new way to interact with them. Imagine an app that would allow you to control your refrigeration, lighting, fryers and other commercial equipment? IoT can make it happen. This technology allows managers to keep an eye on kitchen equipment to make sure that each piece is working efficiently. If something is off, you could adjust it remotely through the app.
UPDATE YOUR TECH
Is your restaurant starting to feel a little outdated? Need some new technology to get things running smoothly and increase customer satisfaction? Let econstruct help. We specialize in food service related construction and renovations and have more than three decades worth of experience in the field. We can provide any updates you need to move your restaurant into the 21st century. Contact us today to get started on your restaurant renovation.