Think before Implementing Technology in your Restaurant

Restaurant owners don’t typically worry about technology taking over their business; until recently. New technology such as tabletop tablets for ordering, calling a server, paying the bill; loyalty “punch” cards that live on the customer’s smart phones; and other gadgetry that wants to make the restaurant a tech-savvy place to be just isn’t right for everyone. According to Entrepreneur magazine, the food service industry is poised to outpace the economy for the 12^th straight consecutive year with sales expected to reach $632 billion. And restaurants are expected to reinvest a lot of this money into technology that gives them an edge.

This isn’t a bad thing, unless the restaurant implements the new tech without giving a lot of thought to why they need it. Jumping into the technology pool without reasonable thought and planning can be a big mistake. Use the following tips to help in deciding if technology is right for your restaurant.

Don’t add a new service just because it’s trending

We’ve noticed that many restaurants are adding tabletop tablets or kiosks to expedite ordering and bill paying. While this technology may be convenient for the customer, and it may even help to cut down on the time it takes to “turn the table”, it may not be welcomed by the customer. Owners would have to think about their demographics, their dedication to customer service, and other factors that this technology doesn’t necessarily offer. For example, if your demographics are older, maybe less tech-savvy, and want a truly human experience while dining out, having tablets on the tables will be met with confusion and could even be met with resistance.

Don’t allow technology to replace customer service

While technology sales to the restaurant industry are booming, and companies are designing more avenues to use technology it is not an excuse for the staff to be mediocre. Technology is never a substitute for the whole idea that food service is first and foremost a service industry. Even though customers have the ability to order their own food, workers are still required to greet them when they enter and bring them their food once they have ordered.

Customers may appreciate how convenient the computerized ordering is, but will not be impressed if they don’t receive good customer service in other aspects of their experience. Bad service easily leaves a bad taste in their mouth about your business which could easily be reflected in online reviews such as Yelp or TripAdvisor. (Some of you may already have experience with that one “bad” review and don’t want to repeat it.)

With a better understanding of technology, and the ability to assess your customers’ needs, you will be ready to choose which technologies might serve your restaurant best. At JI Bases we are always staying up on the latest trends in the restaurant industry and providing you with information that could be beneficial to your business. Don’t be scared of incorporating technology into your restaurant, but take your customers’ needs and wants into consideration first.