![]() Foodservice operations need every cost-savings opportunity they can get. Chances are, there are wasted dollars lurking in your food waste – even though the industry has made significant strides in this area in recent years. You may already use tech tools in your kitchen at the point of preparation to help guide consistent portioning of ingredients, or to ensure you’re using an ingredient as efficiently as possible. Once a guest has finished their meal, are there additional steps you take to monitor and reduce the items left behind? According to a recent report from Restaurant Technology News, a rising number of restaurants are implementing smart waste management systems that can sort and track waste, streamlining recycling and composting. Others are using technology to convert food waste into energy – a step that has helped participating restaurants reduce their waste by an average of 30 percent, according to a 2023 study by the Waste Management Association. Of course, there may be waste in other areas of your business too – water, energy, paper or other supplies, to name a few possibilities. Considering your largest monthly costs, could tech tools help you monitor your use more closely so you can determine how to minimize some of those expenses? ![]() Research released by the National Restaurant Association this year found that 60 percent of restaurants plan to make technology investments in 2024, while 76 percent of operators say technology gives them an edge. That adds up to a whole lot of operators who are trying to identify the right technology to help them thrive in current market conditions. If you’re among them, it’s not likely that you will be able to implement all of the changes you desire at once, so developing a carefully thought-out roadmap can help ensure you’re making the right incremental changes along the way. What are your restaurant’s most pressing needs? How can you make sure that each new investment you make builds on the previous one in a way that streamlines processes across your operation? Once you zero in on your biggest pain points and goals, you can create a list of priorities — and from there, you can assess associated costs, determine how much staff training is required for the smooth adoption of new processes, and plot out the necessary phases and time frames for implementing changes. ![]() In the past few years in particular, restaurants have become especially valued for their experience factor — their ability to effectively bring people together and provide an enjoyable experience that feels seamless. Your technology can make your interactions with groups (and your guests’ interactions with each other) feel more smooth. But according to 2024 State of the Industry: Future of In-Restaurant Dining, a report produced by Incisiv in partnership with Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions, restaurants are leaving a number of opportunities on the table here. For example, only 13 percent of the restaurants surveyed offer digital experiences to simplify group dining — to include the ability to split bills easily or streamline ordering. Just 25 percent of restaurants have integrated proximity sensors and AI to help manage dine-in, collection and delivery services. Less than one-quarter of restaurants have interactive digital menus that track choices and preferences for future personalization. Only 5 percent of restaurants use augmented reality experiences to help guests understand the journey of their meal. If you’re in a position to fine-tune your tech, how might you remove some of the logistical hurdles around order placement and payment, as well as the overall enjoyment of the dining experience, so you can better manage traffic and build loyalty? |
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