There is no denying that technology has had a positive impact on businesses, and the restaurant industry is no exception. If you are starting this new year wondering if you should take the plunge into the tech world, the answer is a resounding YES. Not only can technology help you boost profits, without necessarily increasing the number of customers that frequent your establishment, but you can make things so much easier for your staff, which will help keep them around. Technology can impact every aspect of your restaurant, from how food is ordered, prepared and even delivered, so if you are wondering how to make this year profitable, here are a couple of ways technology can play a major role in doing just that.
Money Saving Opportunities – One of the best parts about adding technology to your repertoire of tools is that it can save you money. Digital Menu Boards are are a great example. Gone are the days of printing a new menu every time you add or remove LTO’s or need to change prices. Labor scheduling is another time and money saver. Schedule employees with ease and always know which employees are nearing overtime due to employees that are racking up too many hours from early clock-ins or late clock-outs. Inventory management software is another great resource that allows restaurants to know more precisely what needs to be ordered so food is not being wasted.
Time Saving Technology – As mentioned above, some of the money saving technology is also saving restaurants time and as they say, “time is money.” Restaurant management software is going to be one of the greatest time saving investments your business will make. Employees can quickly and easily post and trade shifts with co-workers through a mobile app with a simple approval from a manager. Removing managers as the middlemen not only allows employees to easily manage their own shifts, but frees up managers to actually be effective managers. Back-office software technology can integrate with your POS system and instantly import data into your accounting and payroll software. Eliminate manual data entry, easily track waste in your restaurant and make tracking inventory a breeze. Another form of technology that can save time is the ability for customers to order online or through an app before they get to the restaurant, allowing them to choose if they would like to pick-up inside, curbside or drive through. This minimizes long lines and helps get people in and out faster, allowing your restaurant to serve more customers.
Ghost kitchens, delivery and loyalty programs are expected to grow over the next few years. Robots are popping up in kitchens to cut down on prep time and save on labor costs. There is no waiting around for technology to disappear so you can carry on how you used to because it is only going to expand. The question is, are you ready to grow your business and allow the benefits of technology to save you time and money?
