Digital transformation in restaurant industry

The new consumer expects digital channels to offer simple ordering and multiple payment options. Technology has brought us closer together than ever before, and the restaurant industry is benefiting from these solutions. They are utilizing modern technological tools to provide quality products with a better customer experience.

How Technology is Changing the Restaurant Industry

Consumer lifestyles and preferences are rapidly changing, which could be attributed to social media and digitization. Furthermore, modern technological tools are changing every aspect of our daily lives; how can the restaurant industry keep up? The restaurant industry is changing dramatically around the world as a result of globalization and the broad reach of the Internet.

With so much going on in the world of technology today, it would be a wise move for restaurants to adopt current trends in order to provide better customer experience. Let’s take a look at a few tech trends that are reshaping and improving the restaurant industry.

Create an online presence

Customers are now discovering restaurant brands online rather than in person, so it’s essential to boost your online presence. Customers may be unsure whether you’re still open for business given everything that’s changed since the start of COVID-19. Make sure your business listings are up to date on sites like Google My Business, Yelp, and Facebook so that customers know where to find you and how to contact you.

Creating a digital menu is a good place to start, but you can also create an online food ordering platform for restaurants or use third-party app platforms like GrubHub, UberEats, Zomato, and others. Customers can easily search for nearby restaurants, place an order using an app or website, pay using the options provided, and have it delivered to their door in no time. As a result, an increasing number of restaurants are implementing modern technological tools for better customer experience.

Invest in contactless technology

Consider investing in contactless technology to protect your customers’ health and safety. Here’s how to get started:

Configure text message alerts

When food is ready for pickup and when a meal is delivered, send text notifications. This can assist customers in avoiding long lines and limiting in-person interactions with employees.

QR code menus

Instead of providing physical menus that will be touched by many customers, provide QR code menus. To view your menu digitally, a customer simply scans the code with their smartphone camera.

Contactless payment

Allow customers to make purchases on their smartphones using Xoopah’s payments platform. This eliminates the need for them to hand over a credit or debit card to an employee in person.

Social media is everywhere

For restaurant owners, social media has suddenly become a serious marketing tool. From checking the news in the morning to endlessly scrolling Facebook and Instagram, an average of 153 minutes is spent on social media networks daily.

Restaurant owners can interact with potential customers on social media, which will help them drive more foot traffic to their establishment. Sharing photos of signature dishes, making announcements about new offerings, and engaging with customers in a personalized manner, social media technology and tools provide endless benefits to restaurants while increasing customer retention.

Impact of online reviews on restaurant industry

Online reviews can have a profound impact on restaurants, both positive and negative. A string of positive reviews can help to attract new customers and boost profits, while negative reviews can deter people from dining at your establishment. This is especially true in the age of social media, where potential diners can read reviews and learn about new restaurants with the click of a button.

As a result, it is essential for restaurants to pay close attention to their online reputation. Monitoring sites like Google My Business, Yelp, and TripAdvisor can help you to identify any negative reviews and address them quickly.

In addition, regularly promoting positive reviews can help to build up your restaurant’s good reputation. Overall, the Impact of Online Reviews on Restaurants is crucial, so it is crucial to manage them carefully.

Xoopah’s Review Management System allows you to communicate conveniently at every touchpoint of the customers’ journey. And enables your business to get found, convert visitors, gather feedback, and collect reviews- efficiently and effectively.

Cloud Kitchens and Ghost Restaurants are on the rise

Technological advancements and changing consumer habits have brought the concept to the restaurant industry. People nowadays prefer to eat while they are “on the go.” In addition, many restaurants have adopted a new business model known as “ghost kitchens,” which are also known as dark kitchens and cloud kitchens.

It has several advantages over traditional restaurants. The food industry is competitive, but thanks to technological innovations and developments, restaurants can thrive even during difficult times.

Ghost kitchens prioritize deliveries and food quality over creating a pleasant ambiance. These restaurants do not have a physical dining facility and only prepare orders placed online through apps or websites. Given the rate at which the restaurant industry is evolving, cloud or ghost kitchens will be the next big thing all over the world.

Digital Signage

Digital signage is a simple yet effective way for restaurant owners to start their digital transition.

Video walls can help to communicate stories, either from those who work at the restaurant or from the restaurant’s brand story. Information about where the food is sourced is a great way to provide transparency to customers, which they will appreciate.

Sweetgreen recently underwent a complete rebranding, which included not only a new logo but also a new content strategy. They wished to highlight their desire to reconnect people with healthy food. A digital makeover was a critical component of this rebrand, allowing them to effectively communicate their food ethos and how restaurants like theirs should source their ingredients.

Digital ordering kiosks

Digital ordering kiosks are appearing everywhere and will soon be the norm, whether done on large touch screens in the lobby or from the comfort of your table.

They’re ideal in a post-pandemic world where everyone is concerned about health and safety. Not only that, but they provide a better customer experience because customers can browse the menu at their leisure without constantly being approached by waitstaff.

Digital menus can also be updated in seconds, reducing paper waste whenever a new special is introduced. They can even be linked to payment processing software to accept payments at any time.

Guest WiFi

Though WiFi in restaurants is not a new concept, there are modern ways for restaurants to make the most of it. For example, restaurants can create attractive landing pages that feature offers, incentives, and loyalty program information to those who want to sign up by connecting a mandatory login page for those guests who wish to use WiFi.

Visitors to the restaurant can then be retargeted via email marketing funnels, potentially increasing sales. It also improves the customer experience for those who want food discounts and promotional offers delivered directly to their inbox.

Technology changes, and so do the Restaurants

With so much going on in the world of technology today, it would be wise for restaurants to adopt current trends.

Do you believe the restaurant industry will become more tech-driven soon?

It will, so, embrace technological advancement and expand your food business.