The unprecedented disruptions to the food and beverage sector last year have shown industry players that it’s best to future-proof their businesses as much as possible. Although uncertainty seems likely to persist for some time, the restaurant sector is putting itself in the strongest position possible by focusing on expediting the time to market, food quality and safety, supply chain resilience and the creation of smart technology like omni-channel models.  

So what does the future look like for restaurants?

Use the cloud

Stakeholders in the food and beverage industry must evolve with technology. And cloud-based apps are the answer, whether you want to provide a better experience or improve productivity.

You can also leverage cloud technology to improve your customers’ experience in your establishment. For example, with the right equipment, customers can stream music from their smartphones to your in-house sound system. With some cloud offerings, you can even host trivia competitions with people across the country.

Being able to access cloud-based technology as a service instead of implementing it as a project with a lack of scalability is a great advantage. The use of cloud services also provides a way to implement changes faster and avoids the need to use teams to perform technical migrations that are often complex and troublesome.

Provide an omni-channel experience

The food industry has seen a huge shift in demand. Consumers are now ordering more food online and home delivery is taking precedence over the dine-in option. And it seems like this trend is unlikely to return to pre-pandemic levels. By choosing to become omni-channel, the business becomes less vulnerable and can capture a larger slice of the market. In 2021, we expect many food producers to turn to e-commerce by either developing an online store or partnering with a digital marketplace.

Focus on your data

In today’s technologically advanced world, many restaurants are able to access large amounts of real-time data from multiple systems. With the correct strategies and processes in place, this data can provide a treasure trove of information about a restaurant’s business. The right customer data allows your restaurant to manage its inventory better, cut down on food waste and decide which menu items to promote. 

You can also use this information to determine if you have enough stock for busy nights or which items to replace with something more profitable. Then you don’t have to tell your patrons: “Sorry, that dish is unavailable, we’ve run out of pineapple.” 

We have your back with smart technology 

Business owners can use the comprehensive inventory, sales and cost information provided by a restaurant PoS system to guide their business activities in real time. As the cost of goods fluctuates and margins enlarge or shrink, the software can be set to alert you to a potential loss or profit. This real-time knowledge allows you to adjust menu items quickly and generate valuable information that can be used to determine future menus. This type of powerful insight will help you to run an economically sound restaurant. 

Download our infographic if you would like to learn more about the point of a PoS system. 

Author : Rudi Badenhorst

SHARE
mobile pos pos restaurant industry Smart technology