So, you’re planning to start an enterprise in the food industry – and you’ve created an idea for your plan of business, brand located your business, and recruited your team But now you’re wondering what technology you’ll need put into place to keep things going smoothly.
It may appear daunting (especially in the case of those who aren’t technologically skilled) do not fret! We’ve compiled six technologies that will assist your business to succeed – improving efficiency, cutting the cost of labor, and helping you stay just one step ahead of the competitors.
A Point of Sale (POS) System
Employee Scheduling Software
Inventory Tracking Software
An Online Ordering Platform
A Loyalty Program
Self-Ordering Kiosks or Tablets
1. A Point of Sale (POS) System
A POS system functions as the restaurant’s motherboard. It’s where your servers keep track of their orders, and where your chefs will get their orders, and where cashiers will issue them invoices. It’s the place where your menus as well as your inventory are kept, as well as where you can track how your staff are performing and how much tips they’re making.
With the help of a POS system, the entire establishment is linked and you don’t have to fuss about writing orders on small notepads or tracking your earnings in an account book. A majority of POS systems also provide analytics that allow you to monitor your performance and even create sales reports remotely, meaning you’re aware of the activities in your restaurant all the time.
When you’re looking for an POS system, make sure you choose an online model that allows you can connect to your system, as well as an option that provides technical assistance and training.
2. Employee Scheduling Software
Do you remember the old-fashioned telephone chain, in which you needed to call each individual person individually whenever you needed to update them or had something to arrange? The good news is that with the help of employee scheduling software it’s no longer necessary to do all of that.
It’s the one-stop shop for scheduling shifts of employees, organizing your employees, and keeping all communications across one platform. Most of them are in an easy-to-use app format, which means you can update and manage schedules from anywhere as well as your employees receive the notification when they receive an update.
Research has shown that these systems are able to reduce the time spent by employees on scheduling by as much as 80 percent. Particularly when labor costs make up more than a third the restaurant’s operating expenses and ensuring that you schedule your employees’ schedules effectively is crucial!
3. Inventory Tracking Software
Inventory tracking software can help you monitor your stock levels as well as recipes, purchase orders, and menu expenses – and is more than just looking at into or out of the establishment by predicting the future and implementing portions control.
Inventory tracking software can assist you in placing more accurate orders with suppliers, refine portions and, perhaps most important, keep an check on your food items to ensure that no one’s getting their hands in the cookie bowl (no no pun meant). The most effective systems will sync directly with the POS systems, or integrate in to your POS system, so search for a system that is compatible with your current software.
4. An Online Ordering Platform
While ordering food online and delivery is extremely popular with fast service restaurants, it’s becoming increasing in popularity with full-service restaurants too. Take-away orders have grown by 8% in the past couple of years as well as customers who make an online purchase have a 95% likelihood of returning to your restaurant. Doesn’t that sound like an investment worth it? Online orders can also boost your visibility and make it easier for customers to find you in the sea of competitors.
In the beginning, you might choose to use an aggregator platform , one that allows numerous restaurants via one portal – all while creating the profile of your restaurant on the right track. Once you’re up in the air, you may think about implementing an internal ordering system since these platforms are competitive and charge per order a commission that can be as high as 15 percent.
5. A Loyalty Program
Have you heard that approximately 70% of the income generated by restaurants is derived from repeat customers? Did you know that those customers will be happy to share the happiness that they enjoy your establishment?
Giving your customers a reward with loyalty points isn’t just an right thing to do, it’s the best option to take. Rewards programs for loyalty not only result in frequent customers that become brand ambassadors as well as to bring in more revenues. Studies show that customers will spend an average of 39 percent more on their purchases when they’re near to claiming their next reward for loyalty. It’s an investment worth making.
When we speak of rewards programs for loyalty, we’re talking about the old-fashioned business card you stamp or punch out each time a client purchases or eats out –
we’re talking about an online loyalty program one that is managed through an app, allowing customers to keep track of their progress and receive customized promotions that are tailored to their habits and preferences. These kinds of programs are beneficial to both parties in that you are able to gather data about your customers, as well as they are rewarded by their loyality.
There are many reward programs available that range from existing apps to creating your own app however, whichever one you decide on, make sure that it is compatible into the POS system.
6. Self-Ordering Kiosks or Tablets
It’s possible to think that self-ordering kiosks belong to fast-food chains like McDonald’s or Burger King, however, they aren’t. self-ordering kiosks have been making waves across all kinds of establishments, regardless of whether as a large-sized kiosk or tablet devices that are put on the table.
Why They offer a variety of advantages ?
Reduced time to service:kiosks have been shown to drastically cut down on service time and free front-of-house staff, which reduces labor costs and allowing you to offer more efficient services to customers. However, this isn’t to say they’re meant to replace your staff, but rather add value to improve the overall customer experience.
automated up-selling kiosks and tablets will automatically encourage customers to spend on upgrades or extras. McDonald’s discovered that the average size of checks for customers who ordered from kiosks is 30% bigger in addition, 20% of those who did not initially purchase drinks would purchase one simply because it was available.
Flexibility of menus Digital menus permit you to alter and modify the menu items and prices on a daily basis or alter the order in which you serve your menu items, putting the items with high margins higher so that they don’t get ignored by your customers.
That’s it. Based on the type of business you’re operating, you can opt to invest in anything between 1 and 2 each of these technology. It is essential that you select the right solution for your clients as well as your employees as well as the budget you have set. However, whatever you choose to do, make sure you do your research and ensure that you make sure that your suppliers offer instruction to your staff, to make sure they’ve learned the various systems before the day of opening.
