Exploring the Latest Food Delivery Trends

The ever-evolving restaurant technology trends are accelerating digitization in the food industry, providing unique solutions for restaurants to differentiate themselves and gain a competitive edge.

FREMONT, CA: Restaurants have found a lifeline in technology and innovation as they adapt to the new connected and contactless era, surviving and thriving amidst challenges. From online ordering and self-checkouts to touchless payments and delivery services, the F&B industry can no longer ignore these transformative trends that help businesses reinvent themselves and stay competitive.

Technology often emerges as the solution for minimizing unnecessary expenses in any business type while maintaining quality and enhancing the customer experience becomes crucial in this unforgiving environment. The future growth of the restaurant industry is predicted to be driven by off-premise consumption, making technology essential for improving operations and service delivery and reimagining the entire dining experience.

Given the vulnerability of restaurants to regulatory restrictions and sanitary regulations, online food ordering and no touch home delivery services continue to play a pivotal role. The trend of ordering food online and having it delivered to your door is showing no signs of slowing down. Research indicates that the global online food delivery market is projected to reach USD 223.7 billion by 2027, with a staggering estimated worth of USD 130.2 billion.

Third-party food delivery solutions remain essential for restaurants without in-house food ordering and delivery services. As customers increasingly prefer ordering directly from restaurants, many establishments follow larger fast-food chains' lead and invest in their own integrated apps and online platforms. Digital tools allow restaurants to establish closer customer connections despite the geographical distance.

Contactless payment has also gained significant popularity in the restaurant industry. Beyond placing orders online, diners can pay for their meals using smartwatches, smartphones, or smart cards through apps or touchless devices. This technology has gradually gained momentum and has become the norm during the pandemic. Studies project that approximately 53 per cent of global transactions running through POS will be contactless within the next five years, with the global value of contactless payments expected to increase by 300 percent (USD 2 trillion to USD 6 trillion) by 2024. Contactless payment offers speed and convenience and ensures hygiene and safety, eliminating the need for cash exchange and human contact.

While booking a table via phone was once considered convenient, the emergence of online table reservation technology has rendered it outdated. Providers enable customers to see available slots and make table reservations on the go. By adopting technology-enabled table reservation systems, restaurants can efficiently manage waitlists, seating arrangements, dining preferences, and customer loyalty. These systems also collect valuable client data that can be utilized for market insights and contact tracking.

By embracing technology, owners and managers can run their businesses more efficiently, allowing them to focus on delighting their guests with mouth-watering food and exceptional dining experiences, whether in-house or off-premise. The continuous adoption of technology in the restaurant sector is paving the way for growth.