Over the last couple of years, the restaurant industry has had no choice but to adopt new innovations and tools to continue serving guests. With the challenges of COVID-19, restaurants turned to technology as a means to stay in business. Even with more relaxed CDC guidelines, many restaurant patrons have become accustomed to the new advancements – and even enjoy them. Here, we’ll break down the top technology in restaurants today.
ONLINE ORDERING
Before COVID-19, some restaurants weren’t fully ready to offer online ordering. However, many did partner with third-party apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, Grubhub, and Postmates to keep orders coming in once the lockdowns happened. In fact, one in three Americans order food online once a week. Due to the convenience of online ordering, it’s likely to stick around long after the pandemic.
Some restaurants, in addition to pairing with third-party online ordering apps, have started offering the ability to order online directly through their own website. This cuts down on fees and commissions that third-party services charge businesses.
SELF-ORDER KIOSKS
Common among fast-food and QSR brands like McDonald’s and Scramblers’ sister brand City Egg, self-order kiosks allow customers to place and pay for their orders without having to wait in line at the counter. Kiosks allow your customers to peruse the menu without feeling pressured to purchase additional items. They can also help manage the line – allowing for multiple people to order at the same time, reducing the wait time.
Some restaurants have incorporated kiosks at their individual tables, allowing guests to order their meals once they’ve decided instead of waiting for their server.
CONTACTLESS PAYMENT
Having grown popular due to online ordering and self-order kiosks, contactless payment is another technology in restaurants nowadays. Customers are able to use smartphones and other smart devices to make payments in restaurants, providing a safer, more hygienic way of transferring money.
Throughout the pandemic, many restaurants have encouraged contactless payment over handling cash as a means to protect their staff and their customers.
POINT OF SALES SYSTEMS
While not necessarily a new piece of technology in restaurants, point of sales (POS) systems, are evolving to suit the needs of customers and restaurants. For example, Scramblers, has a system called “Sizzle.” Developed by the brand and customizable for each franchise location’s needs, “Sizzle” allows waiters to spend more time with customers by sending orders directly to the kitchen.
The easy-to-use tablet tracks orders, allowing each location to see what menu items are most popular – giving owners a leg up when making business and marketing decisions.
REWARDS PROGRAMS
Popular among the restaurant industry, rewards programs are exactly what they sound like. As customers place orders with a restaurant, the restaurant rewards them – usually with points. After so many points, the customer earns a reward. Rewards can be free menu items, discounts off of orders, or something of the like. Many restaurants have rewards programs to encourage repeat business. The more money customers spend, the more rewards they receive.
JOIN THE INDUSTRY WITH SCRAMBLERS
While the industry is certainly experiencing changes and challenges, Scramblers is no stranger to either. Having been in this business for more than 30 years, the brand has revamped and rebranded multiple times to stay ahead of the industry. Recently, we launched our national franchise expansion, after growing to 25 locations throughout Ohio and Southeast Michigan.
At Scramblers, we have a proprietary platform called The Coop, which helps our owners track everything from recruitment paperwork to operations manuals. We also have a digital training program called The University, ensuring your team is properly trained before they start working.
When considering unique restaurant ideas, we invite you to learn the way we crack eggs. To get started with Scramblers, fill out this form and one of our representatives will be in touch.