Technology Trends Transforming the Restaurant Industry in 2020

The restaurant industry is likely to observe trends that would revolve around innovating food technology, enabling a seamless experience to the customers, and therefore streamlining the entire workflow of operations.

FREMONT, CA: Technology has helped the food and beverage industry for a long time and is becoming an essential factor with changing times. The restaurants that have already adapted the technological advancement with the changing times have attained and retained more customers. As we step into 2020, technology and automation will continue to grow in the food and beverage industry. Below given are some of the upcoming technological trends in the restaurant industry for the year 2020.

Voice Magic

Virtual assistance is no longer imagination. It has, rather, become a reality in the restaurant industry.  Well, known restaurant chains have started enabling voice-activated ordering to implement a seamless experience to the customers. In-app voice assistance or alliance with major virtual assistants, like Alexa or Google Assistant, enables easy navigation to customers for placing orders using only voice commands. Voice assistance is one of the major promising technological trends which will influence the future of the restaurant industry.

Chatbots Profession

To enable a personalized experience to the customers while they place orders on the online platforms, interactive chatbot assistants could become popular in 2020. Large mainstream restaurant chains have already started to use chatbot bots that are turning out to be an effective tool for engaging with the customers. They are highly programmed to carry out efficient tasks like the answering FAQs, sending targeted promotional messages, processing orders, and directing customers to website or payment getaways.

Restaurant Owned Mobile App

According to a report presented by the National Restaurants Association of India (NRAI), the customers mentioned that they placed an order using a restaurant app or website helped them to place the order efficiently.  This explains the importance of creating mobile apps that help the customers to place orders as per their interest and convenience. Mobile apps are known to increase the number of orders but also to raise brand awareness. Some of the benefits of having a restaurant owned mobile app include better audience reach, targeted customer offer, increased customer experience, and hassle-free order management and enhanced return visits.

KDS

Kitchen Display Systems (KDS) have attained popularity in the restaurant industry because of their immense contribution to maintaining consistency and efficiency. KDS technology enables a sufficient flow of conversation between the restaurant's Front of House staff and Kitchen Staff. All the dine-in and online bookings from the website or mobile app or third-party aggregators are directly pushed into the restaurant management system. Modern-day POS terminals are very well combined with KDS. This powerful combination ensures that density levels in food preparation and inventory remain the same across the complete restaurant chain.

Tabletop Ordering Systems

Tabletop ordering systems enables diners with an easy scrolling through the entire menu digitally. There is no need for the servers to take orders from each table physically. Orders placed through the digital menus are transferred directly to the kitchens. Some systems are integrated with entertainment features to connect the customers while their order is being prepared and delivered at the tables. These systems minimize the table turnaround time, serve more guests and guarantee better service delivery.

Self-ordering Kiosks

Kiosks are small standing digital systems that allow the customers to place orders themselves. They rush up the service with a notable reduction in order taking the time. Kiosks are versatile systems that enable the customers to customize their orders and pay for them using their preferred mode of payment. Kiosks minimize the long waiting time in queues even during peak hours and direct more customer traffic. A complete display of the entire menu in a single click and the ease of convenience in placing orders also helps in upselling. Large Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) players are setting a new trend with a kiosk that has been a less explored area of guest-facing operations in the restaurant platform.