In the last few years, restaurants have started to embrace technology. It's no longer about getting the latest gadget or having a digital menu and website; it's about developing ways that technology can be used to improve safety and hygiene, reduce waste, and make life easier for customers and staff alike. The change has been fast, but we believe even more exciting developments are coming down the pipeline in 2023.
Why are restaurants embracing technology?
Technology will catalyze change within the food service industry over the next five years, creating new opportunities for companies that embrace it early on.
For restaurants technology is a way to get more out of their staff by automating tasks that can be done faster and better by machines than humans. On top of that, technology also allows them to create new ways for customers to interact with the restaurant brand without disrupting the flow of service. It can help restaurants gain long-term loyalty from customers looking for an experience unique from other places where they have dined.
Virtual reality experiences at restaurants
VR has been widely used for marketing purposes from its creation until today. It has been used to promote brands such as Coca-Cola and McDonalds by providing users with more immersive experiences that traditional advertising methods do not allow (e.g., billboards).
Virtual reality allows for greater interactivity between consumers and their favorite brand or product line than traditional advertising. It also increases brand recall because people tend to remember things better when engaged with them rather than passively consuming information about something entirely unrelated.
Intuitive menus
One way you're likely to see menus transform is with artificial intelligence. AI can help customers make decisions by providing information about a particular dish or drink, including its nutritional value and ingredients list. You can expect restaurants to integrate smart menu capabilities into their websites and apps, allowing diners to browse and order food from anywhere there's internet access, including their homes or on the go.
AI could also be used with virtual reality (VR) technology so that people can experience a meal before eating it — helping them decide which dishes they want to try before entering the restaurant. This kind of immersive technology isn't just limited to VR; augmented reality (AR) will also play an increasingly important role as people interact more with their mobile devices than ever before.
Finally, QR codes could also become more common on menus. It will allow customers who prefer phone-based interaction rather than face-to-face interaction some additional means by which they can order food at a table without needing assistance from wait staff first.
Contactless technology
Have you ever noticed how often you use your debit or credit card to buy your morning coffee or lunch? That's contactless payment technology in action.
Contactless payment technology has become increasingly popular worldwide in the past few years. It's safe, fast, and convenient for customers and restaurants alike. For example, it's easier for busy restaurant staff to make sure their customers' orders are taken quickly without cash slowing them down. And because no transaction costs are associated with using contactless cards, everyone wins.
Technology to improve safety and hygiene
Food safety is a significant concern for restaurants. A single outbreak of food poisoning can ruin a restaurant's reputation, not to mention the health consequences it could cause to its customers. To ensure that your food is safe, restaurants can use several technologies. For example:
Food scanners allow restaurants to track the temperature of their products throughout the preparation and storage phases. They can reduce the risk of bacterial contamination by ensuring that foods are kept at appropriate temperatures throughout those processes.
Automated fumigation systems detect chemicals used for cleaning and sanitation purposes to ensure everything is clean for customers before they arrive at the restaurant. It also helps prevent cross-contamination between raw meat products and ready-to-eat foods (RTE).
Food delivery apps & AI-powered delivery bots
Food delivery apps and AI-powered delivery bots are becoming increasingly popular. If you've ever ordered food to be delivered, you know how long it can take to arrive at your door. With the advent of autonomous robots that can navigate independently on their own, this process has become a lot faster and more efficient than using actual human beings. Some restaurants are beginning to use these bots as part of their business models.
Menu innovation through AR/VR and playful displays
Augmented and virtual reality are increasingly being used to improve the customer experience. Playful displays use technology to innovate menus and enhance experiences for customers.
For example, a restaurant in London has partnered with Google to create an augmented reality app that allows customers to build their burgers at home by customizing different toppings and buns in 3D before ordering their meals from the restaurant. Customers anywhere in the world can do this with internet access. Hence, it's great for people who don't live close enough to visit this particular restaurant but want the same experience of creating their own burger with all its toppings on offer.
Machine learning & Artificial Intelligence
In restaurants and kitchens worldwide today, there are already signs that this technology is on its way. Some restaurants use machine learning to improve their recipes. Others use AI software to predict wait times based on historical data about customer behavior patterns at peak hours. Still, others use it for inventory management decisions, such as determining when to restock inventory using signals sent by sensors embedded within each product package (e.g., RFID tags).
In conclusion As you can see, the restaurant industry is growing and changing. It's a competitive marketplace where restaurants must keep up with trends to stay relevant. While some trends are just passing fads, others will impact how people eat out and order their food. We can expect more innovation in this area over the next few years as technology advances.
