Running and managing a restaurant involves ensuring all moving parts are in working order – and there’s a lot of them. Managing orders, servers, kitchen staff, marketing activities, inventory levels, and revenue are the regular. To lessen the load, business owners turn to restaurant automation tools to free up their time, reduce labor costs, operational costs, and automate order management. But how exactly does automation in the restaurant industry work?
What is restaurant automation?
Restaurant automation streamlines and automates numerous day-to-day tasks, procedures, and operations through technology and software solutions. Increasing restaurant operations’ productivity, accuracy, and efficiency entails replacing manual and repetitive tasks with automated technology.
What Are the Benefits of Automation in Restaurants?
The automation revolution can benefit restaurants in several ways, improving their operations. The main advantages of automation in a restaurant are as follows:
- Enhanced Efficiency: Automation in restaurants boosts operational effectiveness and speeds up service, enabling restaurants to serve more customers in a shorter amount of time.
- Consistency: Automated systems carry out tasks with a high degree of consistency and accuracy, which lowers the possibility of human error in taking takeout and delivery orders, billing, inventory management, and other procedures.
- Increased Productivity: Restaurant automation simplifies processes, allowing staff and restaurant operators to concentrate on more crucial and beneficial jobs like providing customer service, and preparing meals.
- Streamlined Ordering and Payment Processes: Automation technology makes customer ordering and payment easier and faster. Clients can place orders via a direct online ordering system and pay through mobile apps.
- Enhanced Customer Service: Automation frees up employees to concentrate more on providing excellent customer service. The whole dining experience is enhanced by staff being able to give guests more individualized service, respond to inquiries, and make recommendations.
- Fewer Staffing Shortages: With a greater reliance on technology, restaurant owners don’t have to worry about staff shortages, as restaurant automation solutions can perform many other duties. This results in a more efficient business operation, all while keeping labor costs low.
What are the Best Tools for Restaurant Automation?
When it comes to restaurant automation technology, there are various tools available that can help the restaurant industry—each serving different aspects of restaurant operations. Here are some commonly used tools for restaurant automation:
1. Online ordering system
Customers can place orders for pickup or delivery remotely using an online ordering system and mobile app. By integrating with the restaurant’s point-of-sale system, these platforms streamline order handling and reduce the need for manual involvement.
A direct online ordering system streamlines restaurant operations by automatically sending orders to the kitchen or designated prep area, reducing the need for manual order-taking and minimizing the potential for mistakes. Direct online ordering systems also capture customer data, including contact information and order history.
2. Restaurant Website Builders
Restaurant website builders are perfect for designing and building websites without learning complex technical concepts or coding. These builders include pre-designed templates, drag-and-drop capabilities, and automation tools to make creating websites easier.
Website builders provide a selection of expertly crafted themes that are suited for restaurants. These designs include menu displays, reservation forms, and a contact details section. Users can select a template that matches the branding of their restaurant and modify it to suit their needs by dragging and dropping components like text, graphics, menus, and widgets, thanks to website builder user-friendly interfaces.
3. Point of Sale (POS) Systems
Although many restaurants still process payments by hand, restaurant POS systems are becoming increasingly popular. Automating order administration, payment processing, and sales reporting requires using POS systems to keep everything in one place and organized. A self-service POS system can help simplify order processing, make menu customization simple, control inventory, and produce thorough sales reports.
Restaurants automate their order processing with solutions that often come with many other options, including order taking, payment processing, inventory management, employee administration, and reporting. These features are fully integrated into the most advanced on-site and mobile point-of-sale systems for restaurants, making running and managing a foodservice business much easier.
4. Self-Ordering Kiosks
Self-service technology isn’t new in the restaurant industry. However, this form of automation is becoming the norm for most fast-casual restaurants and quick-service restaurants. With the help of the interactive restaurant’s menu, customers can place their orders at self-ordering kiosks without assistance from workers, which also allows the business to operate with fewer staff members. These kiosks are especially helpful in quick-service or fast-food restaurants since they increase order accuracy and streamline the ordering procedure.
Kiosks display digital menus, making ordering easy for clients, thus streamlining the ordering process. Once an order is placed, artificial intelligence moves it to the digital ticket system without the need for human connection or intervention.
5. Kitchen Display System (KDS)
Kitchen Display Systems, or KDS software, is made exclusively for restaurants and other food service businesses to improve and streamline kitchen operations. The kitchen crew can now examine and manage incoming orders in real-time as digital displays replace conventional paper-based order tickets.
Thanks to this automated restaurant equipment, order preparation is significantly sped up, errors are reduced, manual data entry for orders is no longer necessary, and front-of-house and kitchen staff communication is improved. For example, pop-up alerts appear on the display when food orders are placed, and the kitchen staff knows what meals to prepare next.
6. Automated Feedback System
An automated feedback system for restaurants is a software solution designed to collect, manage, and analyze customer feedback and is one of the more popular tools for automation in restaurants. It streamlines the gathering of customer feedback and provides valuable insights to improve restaurant operations and customer experiences.
Customers can comment on their own orders’ feedback section and rate their experiences in one spot. The more positive reviews you earn, the more clients you will likely attract to your restaurant. The secret to getting more reviews is as simple as asking clients for them. But you don’t always have time for that, especially if you’re packed. By introducing an automated feedback system, getting reviews is fully automated.
7. Inventory Management Software
Inventory management systems are designed to help restaurants efficiently track, manage, and optimize their inventory. These systems often come with a range of features to streamline inventory processes, maintain accurate stock levels, reduce food waste, and improve overall inventory control.
Automated inventory software can track and manage ingredient stock levels, automate reordering procedures, and provide reports for the best inventory control. As a result, accuracy is increased, and manual inventory tracking is no longer an issue.
8. Table reservation handling
Table reservation and management systems allow customers to reserve tables at a restaurant without calling the business beforehand. It simplifies the reservation process for customers and restaurant staff, ensuring efficient table management and enhancing the overall dining process.
These solutions not only allow for the systematic handling of restaurant reservations and table allocations, but also make the guest experience more streamlined, maximize table use, cut down on wait times, and raise customer satisfaction. Restaurant staff are also notified about the reservation and have time to prepare everything before the clients arrive.
9. Automated employee scheduling
Employee scheduling is by far one of the more important parts of a restaurant opening checklist. But thankfully software solutions are here to help manage work schedules for restaurant staff without needing paper calendars and other similar solutions. This practical and streamlined approach makes managing shift changes easier, tracking employee availability, and building staff schedules. In addition, it simplifies restaurant scheduling and reduces disagreements and mistakes.
Most of these solutions offer schedule patterns and templates that can be utilized repeatedly to save time and work. Scheduling is more effective when managers develop templates for various shifts or positions, which the system can use to build the schedule automatically. Additionally, these systems can analyze labor requirements, employee availability, and labor costs to create cost-effective schedules that align with the restaurant’s needs.
10. Customer data management
Keep tabs on client preferences, and tailor customers’ experiences thanks to customer relationship management (CRM) systems and a restaurant Customer Data Platform. When you have your own online ordering platform, this data is often collected automatically and can be used for targeted marketing campaigns, personalized promotions, and customer loyalty programs.
Information such as how many online orders a client has made, the food delivery services they chose, payment methods, and so on can be collected and stored within the CRM. With this data, you’re able to find out where your customers come from, measure conversions, and create reports. Once you’ve done so, create customer groups and send targeted offers and specials to these clients.
11. Tools for Analytics and Reporting
Automated analytics and reporting solutions replace manual data analysis and offer practical methods for handling and analyzing massive amounts of restaurant data. These solutions assist business owners in gaining valuable insights, making data-driven decisions, and streamlining their operations for increased performance and client pleasure.
Analytics and reporting support making data-driven decisions, trend identification, and key performance indicator tracking, which streamline operations and increase restaurant efficiency, as well as provide information about sales, consumer behavior, and business operations.
12. Mobile Payment Solutions
With automated mobile payment solutions, customers can pay at restaurants using their mobile phones or tablets instead of cash or credit cards. This is usually done via mobile payment apps or the restaurant’s management system, which securely stores payment data.
Customers use their mobile devices to scan the QR code at the table or download your restaurant app to place orders. Once they’ve ordered, they’ll be prompted to pay, during which the payment app securely connects to the online payment processor. Behind the scenes, the mobile payment app or digital wallet securely communicates with the mobile payment processor, encrypting the payment information to ensure the security of the transaction.
13. Automated marketing features
Automated marketing features for restaurants refer to software solutions that are implemented in order to automate various marketing tasks. These tools help restaurants streamline their marketing efforts, enhance customer engagement, and drive business growth through various actions.
Marketing automation tools have been a game changer for many restaurant chains and single-location businesses. This restaurant technology allows businesses to send automated SMS and email messages, encouraging clients to order again, leave a review, or to take advantage of your latest promotions. In addition, more advanced systems monitor customer information in your CRM system and launch marketing efforts at certain times, such as when a client hasn’t been at the restaurant in a while, to encourage them to return with tempting offers.
14. Customer Loyalty Management
Customer loyalty management systems are designed to help restaurants build and manage customer loyalty by providing a range of features and functionalities to increase customer retention, drive repeat business, and earn more revenue.
These systems allow restaurants to create customized loyalty programs tailored to their specific needs. Creating point earning criteria, reward tiers, redemption options, and offers are all editable by the business owner. Restaurants can design programs that align with their brand identity and customer preferences. Once done so, a loyalty program is fully automated and distributes points and stamps with the need for intervention.
Upcoming Restaurant Automation Trends
The restaurant industry is on the verge of a technological revolution, with new restaurant trends in automation set to transform how eateries operate and interact with their clients. The rising desire for efficiency, convenience, and improved consumer experiences drives these improvements. As a result, restaurants may streamline operations, maximize resources, and provide individualized services that meet the changing requirements and expectations of today’s diners by utilizing cutting-edge technologies, driving restaurant digital transformation.
- Customer relations: Managing customer relations in the food industry is about to undergo a revolution thanks to artificial intelligence (AI) and automation technologies. Installing an AI chatbot for your site enables the automation of tasks like handling reservations, offering tailored recommendations, and delivering prompt and personalized customer care through artificial intelligence.
- Contactless Ordering and Payment Systems: Although known throughout the food industry, contactless solutions are expected to become standard. Customers can place orders, make payments, and personalize their dining experiences thanks to mobile ordering apps, QR code menus, and mobile payment alternatives.
- Data Analytics: Although already known throughout the food industry, restaurants will be able to customize their services, refine menu options, and implement business strategies by leveraging insights from client preferences, sales trends, and operational performance.
- New Technologies: Voice-activated systems, virtual and augmented reality, and the Internet of Things (IoT) will automate inventory management, food safety procedures, and equipment monitoring, ensuring the best performance and minimizing manual work. Customers will also get an immersive preview of the restaurant’s atmosphere and food items through virtual and augmented reality experiences.
Key Takeaways
- Implementing automation in restaurants can help businesses in the food service industry grow exponentially
- Restaurant automation solutions can streamline the entire process of running an managing a restaurant with just a few tools
- Automated restaurants with customer facing displays save money and don’t have to deal with labor shortages
- A kitchen display system eliminates human error when taking food orders for clients
- Full service restaurants can cut up to half of their manual processes and run with fewer employees by automating repetitive tasks with the help of restaurant automation
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How automation can help restaurants grow?
Automation can provide numerous benefits to restaurants, including reducing tasks, increasing effectiveness, and improving the overall clientele experience. Restaurants can benefit from automation in the following ways:
- Enhanced Efficiency: Automation streamlines operations and eliminates many manual tasks, saving time and minimizing human mistakes. Order-taking, inventory management, billing, and reporting may all be automated, freeing up staff to work on higher-value tasks.
- Reduction in Human Error: Automated ordering solutions, whether through mobile apps, self-service kiosks, or internet platforms, can reduce consumer and staff miscommunication and thus increase order accuracy. Direct order entry from customers reduces the human error associated with manual order entry.
- Improved Inventory Management: Automation solutions can monitor stock levels in real-time, automate stock replenishment, and give information about usage patterns for inventory. This avoids stockouts and overstocking by optimizing inventory levels, cutting waste, and ensuring that ingredients are always available.
- Streamlined Communication: Automation makes it possible for front-of-house and back-of-house teams to communicate with each other efficiently. For instance, automated kitchen display systems can transmit orders straight to the kitchen from the point of sale system, eliminating the need for manual order transcribing and increasing order accuracy.
Who produces fast food restaurant automation?
Fast food restaurant automation tools and systems are produced by various companies specializing in developing and implementing technology solutions for the food service industry. Here are some of the most prevalent companies known for their fast-food restaurant automation products:
- UpMenu:UpMenu is an all-in-one restaurant management system designed specifically for the food service industry. Your restaurant is almost entirely automated with automation features such as a built-in ordering system, loyalty program, analytics hub, and website and online menu builders.
- Eatsa: Eatsa is a company that offers quick-service restaurants and fast food chains computerized self-service kiosks and pickup systems. Customers may place orders, personalize their meals, and pick up their food using their technology without interacting with workers.
- BrightSign: BrightSign offers digital signage solutions, including menu boards and displays, which are common in fast-food restaurant environments. Their products provide dynamic and engaging visuals to showcase menu items and promotions.
- ZingCheckout: ZingCheckout is a cloud-based POS system specifically designed for fast food and quick-service restaurants. Their solution includes order management, inventory tracking, reporting, and integration with various automation features such as self-ordering kiosks.
How many restaurants use automation?
It is difficult to pinpoint the specific number of restaurants that use automation because it can vary. However, as technology develops and restaurants look to increase productivity and improve the customer experience, automation in the restaurant sector has increased recently. Many restaurants, particularly larger chains, and businesses in urban areas, have used various sorts of automation to streamline operations and adapt to shifting consumer expectations.
The level of automation might differ depending on the restaurant’s size and nature, financial resources, and technological capabilities. Larger fast-food chains and quick-service establishments often lead the way in embracing automation through the implementation of self-ordering kiosks, automated beverage dispensers, and advanced kitchen automation systems.
Will robots replace restaurant workers?
The possibility of robots replacing restaurant employees is a topic that is constantly being discussed, especially in recent years. Although robotics and automation have advanced in the restaurant sector, it is doubtful that humans will be entirely replaced by robots anytime soon. Here are some of the causes:
- Complex and Diverse Tasks: A wide range of tasks, including food preparation, cooking, customer service, problem-solving, and creativity, are performed at restaurants, which require flexibility, social contact, and the capacity to deal with unforeseen circumstances, all of which are difficult for robots to mimic.
- Customer Interaction and Hospitality: Restaurants frequently place a high priority on giving customers a tailored experience. Interpersonal interaction and hospitality are essential to provide a satisfying dining experience. Even though technology can help with tasks like accepting orders or processing payments, the human touch is still crucial for ensuring customer happiness.
- Flexibility and Adaptability: Humans are naturally adaptive and flexible, reacting swiftly to unexpected events and changing their jobs as necessary. On the other hand, robots often perform repetitive and predictable activities better than humans. However, they aren’t always flexible enough when performing such tasks.
