This site uses cookies to improve your experience. To help us insure we adhere to various privacy regulations, please select your country/region of residence. If you do not select a country, we will assume you are from the United States. Select your Cookie Settings or view our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Cookie Settings
Cookies and similar technologies are used on this website for proper function of the website, for tracking performance analytics and for marketing purposes. We and some of our third-party providers may use cookie data for various purposes. Please review the cookie settings below and choose your preference.
Used for the proper function of the website
Used for monitoring website traffic and interactions
Cookie Settings
Cookies and similar technologies are used on this website for proper function of the website, for tracking performance analytics and for marketing purposes. We and some of our third-party providers may use cookie data for various purposes. Please review the cookie settings below and choose your preference.
Strictly Necessary: Used for the proper function of the website
Performance/Analytics: Used for monitoring website traffic and interactions
Restaurants and bars are leaning into automation to address staffing shortages, enhance operational efficiency, and meet rising customer expectations for speed and consistency. Self-serve kiosks, QR-code menus, and personalized ordering systems will continue to redefine how patrons interact with venues.
With social media shaping trends, culture and commerce around the clock, younger generations are increasingly using these platforms to discover new dining experiences. Now is the time for restaurant brands to ask: Are we merging human insight with technology to craft meaningful customer journeys? Benihana exemplifies this approach.
At the same time, a rise in fast-food prices driven by inflation is reshaping consumer behavior, with many customers now treating fast food as a splurge rather than a convenience. The future of dining will center on creating smarter, simpler, and more personal experiences for customers.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the ways we live, work and dine, the restaurant industry has been experimenting with different ways to adapt and continue serving customers who cherish dining experiences. Digital engagements with customers are going to remain the norm long after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Physical menus are being replaced by the increased use of mobile-centric applications, such as restaurant apps and QR codes. Thanks to these technologies, tasks such as ordering food and paying bills can take place on a self-service basis. In quick-serve restaurants, staff can focus on preparing food rather than taking orders.
With 70 percent of operators struggling to fill job openings and 45 percent reporting they don’t have enough staff to meet customer demand, according to the National Restaurant Association. These technologies help streamline operations, lighten the workload for staff, and create a better experience for both employees and customers.
For more than two decades Sam Ballas, Founder of East Coast Wings + Grill, has focused on brand building in a smart and sustainable manner. First, consumers are demanding more convenience and customization, pushing brands to rethink their menus and service models. The more seamless the experience, the higher the guest retention.
Quick-service restaurants maintain a steady customer satisfaction score of 79 (on a 100 point scale), while full-service restaurants — despite slipping 2 percent to 82 — remain one of the highest-rated industries in the Index, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI®) Restaurant and Food Delivery Study 2025.
It is atop the list for restaurants looking to modernize, differentiate, and elevate experiences. The question now becomes – how to make sense of that data and use it to elevate the dining experience. consumers now use digital wallets as they seek a convenient, contactless payment experience. Data, Data, Data.
As a restaurant manager or operator, you are the driving force in productivity – leading your staff and keeping customers happy. This leads to the abnormally high turnover rate most operators experience today. There will always be a customer on the receiving end of that waste of time.
Online ordering has transformed the restaurant industry, turning what was once a convenience into an absolute necessity. Customers expect to browse menus, place orders, and pay for their meals with just a few taps of their phones. Why Every Restaurant Needs an Online Ordering System The answer is simple: to stay competitive.
Contactless payment solutions drive operators’ revenue and elevate customerexperiences, but how can the technology set restaurants up for long-term success? Before the pandemic, many restaurants across the country experimented with contactless order and payment solutions but did so with a relative lack of urgency.
The year 2024 promises a journey of adaptation and fierce competition for the restaurant industry as it manages stronger-than-expected economic data and slowing inflation while dealing with the headwinds of short labor supply, more demanding customers and an uncertain political environment. The key lesson both establishments teach?
Create a Strong Online Presence While platforms like Instagram and TikTok can generate buzz for a restaurant, many Gen Z customers are still looking to traditional platforms like Yelp and Google Maps when choosing a restaurant to visit; therefore, marketing strategies should focus on creating a strong online presence for the overall brand.
Many small business owners added online storefronts and delivery services to help sustain their business admidst vanishing in-store customers, but they now face a new economic threat – friendly fraud. In many ways, restaurants offering online ordering and delivery services face the same challenges as other online businesses.
But precisely, how can you determine what customers want? How can you adjust your B2C marketing strategy to align with their needs and provide an elevated culinary experience? Businesses must remain ahead of the curve by checking all the correct boxes as customer tastes evolve at an unparalleled pace.
” Their answers touched on a variety of subjects including AI, virtual reality, virtual kitchens, staffing and retention, social media marketing, sustainability and third-party delivery. So, for the first time, restaurant owners and marketers are able to see exactly what their customer’s buying journey looks like.
Understanding your target market is the foundation of making smart decisions for your menu, pricing, and overall guest experience. Key customer factors that influence dining preferences, from demographics to behavior. A restaurant target market is the specific group of customers your restaurant is designed to attract.
“It’s a very exciting time and we’re thrilled for new markets to experience our beloved handmade donuts in their own neighborhoods. On The Border is taking it back to the 1980’s with the debut of its new prototype that pays homage to the brand’s first design and renowned experience, top photo.
population, Gen Z is becoming a larger customer-base for restaurants. Below are a few ideas to attract Gen Z customers to your restaurant. Offer a Unique Dining Experience. They can be drawn in with the aspect of learning new flavor profiles and experimenting with sustainable farm-to-table recipes.
Early in the pandemic, 72 percent of operators invested in delivery and mobile/online ordering to boost revenue during mandated stay-at-home orders according to TD's 2020 survey, and it appears the popularity of these offerings is here to stay. Investment in delivery and mobileordering pays off.
Expect to see more self-ordering kiosks already present at Taco Bell, Panera and McDonalds. The use of delivery apps, like UberEats and DoorDash, provided a much-needed revenue stream allowing restaurants to rely less on an in-person brick-and-mortar experience. The Store Experience. Food Trucks Factor in the New Normal.
Restaurants have made great strides in the digital realm—from contactless payments to online ordering—but 32 percent of them feel like they could add to their technology stack to optimize operations. Gives front-of-house teams the resources to provide better customer service. The real money is with repeat business.
If you want to increase order volume for your restaurant, focusing on online takeout and delivery is key. Operators who ignore this opportunity risk losing significant revenue to their competitors while missing out on the chance to build a stronger connection with their customers. But growing online order volume isnt always easy.
By the time you finish this article, youll know how to approach restaurant marketing the right way and not waste time doing guesswork, crossing your fingers, and then hoping you see new customers walking through the door. Customers have more choices, higher expectations, and countless ways to discover (or overlook) your restaurant.
To position themselves for sustainable growth, restaurants must respond quickly. Here are four key areas that brands should be focusing on to help protect their bottom line and maintain a positive guest experience: Zero In on Personalization and Customer Data. It is also critical for brands to address the crew experience.
Its the sum of everything about your restaurant, from your menu design and decor to the tone you use when replying to comments on social media or greeting customers walking through the door. Its not just about looking good (though that is a part of it); its about creating an emotional connection that shapes the entire customerexperience.
By implementing a QR Code at-table, two-way ordering system, servers can wait on more tables, increase their tips, and spend more one-on-one time with guests. Customers can enjoy a seamless dining experience, and restaurant operators can realize greater returns on their investments. There are 6.92
Driving much of the tech innovation is guest experience, focusing on ways to make the lives of consumers more engaging, convenient, and overall seamless. Consumers are getting back out into the world again and reconnecting with all their favorite places and experiences. Trend #2 – Growing Focus of Sustainability Importance.
By partnering with ChowNow, Healthy Balance Meals saves over $13,000 annually in commission fees while gaining full control over their online orderingexperience. With a branded mobile app, direct customer relationships, and flexible menu updates, theyve streamlined operations, strengthened their brand and grown their business.
And while automation and robotics can help streamline some elements of operations, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, there's a newfound appreciation for human connection and dining experiences. Initially seen as symbols of sustainability, they are now appreciated primarily for their performance and features.
In terms of trends, it is clear that in 2023 technology will continue to shape and enhance the restaurant industry and we will see operators adopting new technologies to create an even more seamless and frictionless experience for guests, while still maintaining unique and engaging dining experiences. Your CPA can help with this.
Adaptability became non-negotiable as takeout, delivery, and digital ordering shifted from secondary revenue streams to essential lifelines." Digital not only powers seamless experiences but also unlocks guest data that can elevate hospitality across all touchpoints, both digital and in-person.
In recent years, consumer behaviors have drastically changed to now preferring delivery services and an increased willingness to pay a premium for a seamless experience. The data revealed that 60 percent of consumers surveyed prefer human staff versus AI-managed customer support, despite the potential for increased service efficiency.
Square is launching On-Demand Delivery for Square Online Store where sellers can dispatch a courier through delivery partners for orders placed directly on their website. “This new feature helped us keep our doors open and continue serving our customers during the recent downturn,” he said. Sellers pay a flat fee of $1.50
Many food and beverage establishments have seen success with technology — such as contactless options, automation to support changing workforces and innovative customer loyalty strategies — in their endeavors to meet the demand for safer and more convenient dining experiences. Gone are the days of cash-only transactions.
Additionally, restaurants will experience a significant shift in technology and customer service. Restaurant designs of the future will be informed by low touch and high impact experiences. Brands will need to drastically decrease the number of physical touch points throughout their customer journey.
Despite some gains, seven in ten operators across all major segments say their restaurant currently does not have enough employees to support customer demand and most operators expect their labor challenges to continue through next year. Streamlined Menus with More Plant-Based Options and Sustainable Packaging.
From the humble QR code, which quickly became a mainstay during the pandemic, to recent reports of “digital-only” restaurants, tech is starting to define service for restaurants and customers alike. Building a loyal fan base is all about creating great experiences and, for this, automation can be a very useful tool.
As restaurants work overtime to deal with soaring costs, ongoing labor shortages and growing economic uncertainty, many are pushing the limits of what used to be their competitive space to extend their brand and get in front of new potential customers. And why not? through ghost-kitchen operator ChefSuite. Why the immense rise?
While there was a strong desire to return to pre-pandemic norms, many businesses underestimated the lasting impact of COVID-19 on customer behaviours and preferences. With growing awareness of climate change and sustainability, some restaurants were seen as lagging in adopting eco-friendly practices and minimising their carbon footprint.
When people decide to dine in your establishment, they don’t just want to eat good food; they want to have a pleasant experience, as well. Statistics show that 96 percent of consumers from across the globe say that customer service plays a critical factor in choosing a brand they’ll be loyal to. Self-Service Tech.
More than half of survey respondents said they will order more than usual, with only one in 10 saying less than usual. The top choice by far was having a culinary experience similar to eating at the restaurant. restaurants are very likely to have fewer dine-in customers this fall/winter than usual.
Loyalty programs are made to cater to customers' ever-changing needs and expectations. Brands are now seeking creative ways to engage customers in more personalized and unique ways. The need for more personalized and technology-driven experiences drives the constant evolution of loyalty programs.
We organize all of the trending information in your field so you don't have to. Join 49,000+ users and stay up to date on the latest articles your peers are reading.
You know about us, now we want to get to know you!
Let's personalize your content
Let's get even more personalized
We recognize your account from another site in our network, please click 'Send Email' below to continue with verifying your account and setting a password.
Let's personalize your content