Check out these 5 restaurant technology trends that will be all the rage in 2015, and try implementing them in your restaurant.
As a restaurant professional, you know food, drinks and people. Chances are, you could talk appetizers for hours or debate wine pairings with the best of them. You've probably got a keen sense of what your customer base is looking for and a knack for turning first-timers into regulars. One area where you might feel lost, however, is technology.
Although it might not hold a special place in your heart the way your menu does, technology is just as crucial as delicious recipes to the success of your institution. Check out these 5 tech trends that will be all the rage in 2015, and try implementing them in your restaurant.
1. Tablets
Due to their lightweight, convenient size, tablets have become an essential piece of technology in many businesses, but they've become especially popular in the restaurant industry. You might already use these for your POS system, but Buzztime Business reported that more institutions than ever are placing them at tables, where people can use them to order. This is a great idea for quick-service eateries, where guests might not have time to wait for servers to greet them and enter their requests. The source noted that since customers will have shorter wait times, you'll be able to turn tables much faster.
2. Games
The days of handing out crayons and paper menus to youngsters are gone. Forbes magazine reported that an emerging restaurant tech trend is to offer guests a variety of entertaining games to pass the time while they wait for a table or their food. The source reported that McDonald's is developing movement-enacted games that will be projected onto the floor to keep children entertained while they stand in line. Parents will be grateful for the distraction while little ones try their best to win. And although they're being created with kids in mind, adults will undoubtedly love getting in on the action as well!
Keep your restaurant cutting-edge with these technological trends.3. Ordering online
While this might not seem like news, groundbreaking innovations are taking online ordering to the next level. Buzztime Business reported that many restaurants are developing their own mobile apps that will let consumers place an order before they even arrive at the location. Quick-service eateries can especially benefit from this - when guests are already in a rush, they'll be happy to know that their order is placed with the swipe of a finger on their smartphone. A number of popular chain restaurants have already started developing these, so try building one for your company and get an edge on the competition.
"Although you probably have some sort of customer rewards program in place, using new technology can definitely yield greater results."
4. Loyalty programs
Although you probably have some sort of customer rewards program in place, using new technology can definitely yield greater results. According to the National Restaurant Association, updated loyalty plans were some of the most talked about features at the 2014 NRA show. Cutting-edge POS systems like Maitre'D give you the flexibility to integrate things like coupons, rewards and money-to-points ratios into your loyalty programs as well. Try setting up a promotion like buy five coffees get one free - your regular customers will love knowing that you have an efficient system that tracks their habits and offers them rewards for their spending.
5. Social media
If your business isn't tapped into social network sites, now's the perfect time to get your name out on the internet. According to Squadle, having pages on platforms like Facebook and Twitter is essential for attracting customers. Not only will you be more visible, but you can offer coupons and advertise promotions and exciting news with the click of a button. Additionally, many restaurants are planning to roll out ways that guests can order food directly through Facebook, bringing social media to a new level.
