The Casual Dining sector has openly embraced new technologies over the years (even more so since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic) in order to adapt to ongoing new laws and challenges. From handy QR codes to customer ordering systems, here we explore how technology has been a major driving force for evolution in the restaurant, pub & bar sector.
QR Codes
One of the biggest comebacks is the QR code. A machine scannable barcode which stores specific information such as website links, account information, and ticket confirmation. In summer 2020 when bar and restaurants were able to open back up (with restrictions however) the humble QR code was the answer to socially distanced ordering and payments. This kept the wait-staff safe and allowed the establishment to adhere to the government guidelines.
Post pandemic, the humble QR code is still being used as a handy tool to digitise the menu experience for anyone with a phone. One surprising benefit is that customers actually spend more when they pay using a digital menu, as it’s a lot easier to upsell and promote restaurant deals. They also result in less printing and paper costs as physical menus are not always needed.
Food Tracking Software
There are a multitude of reasons to be conscious of food waste – and for bars and restaurants – food waste costs big bucks! In the UK a staggering £3 billion worth of food is thrown away each year according to the Hospitality and Food Service industry.
Furthermore, food waste contributes to 8 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it an epidemic. Luckily, there has been a rise in the use of apps and programs to help scale and reduce the amount of food waste the industry creates. Programs like ‘Cin7’ can be used for stock control, whilst apps like ‘Too Good to Go’ helps connects customers to restaurants and stores that have unsold food surplus.
Reservations, ordering and delivery
You will have been affected by the huge shortages of staff within the casual dining industry since the pandemic and the aftermath of Brexit. Technology has provided a number of digital opportunities for the industry to keep up with these demands. Firstly, online reservation platforms (developed during the past couple of years of the pandemic) helped to save time for front of house staff. For instance, the booking site OpenTable allows bars and restaurants to manage customer flow and boost their business with review options and rewards for users.
Another example of ordering and payments being made without a member of waiting staff is the use of QR codes, as well as Near Field Communication (or NFC) tags or self-service tablets – ideal for customers to order and pay before even sitting down.
Additionally, a big one is delivery apps! Popular food delivery app Deliveroo claims it will increase restaurant revenue by 30%. On average, 76 percent of Brits order a takeaway once a week thus making this a lucrative opportunity for businesses to take part in.
The future of the casual dining experience for staff and customers alike has become much more automated since the coronavirus pandemic. Businesses are clearly benefiting from everyday technology in the workplace, and there is certainly efficiency behind it. We are living in an age of convenience, especially as we adjust to “normal” life – and innovative technology is helping to ease our industry back, which is why we think it should be embraced!
From analytics to automation at Casual Dining 2022
The Casual Dining show and its eclectic mix of exhibitors have been influencing menus, and the efficiency of pubs, bars and restaurants for years. Here’s just a handful of information technology exhibitors to meet at the show on 14-15 September at ExCeL London:
Harri IQ – is the latest in Harri’s product innovation – a state of the art analytics platform providing true self-service analytics with Search & AI technology, making it possible for anyone to search hidden insights in their data – ranging from hiring performance (vacancies, time to screen/interview/hire, candidate conversion rates), to sales performance and talent intelligence. Harri IQ allows the users to replace static dashboards with a live, modern, and intuitive search experience that keeps them coming back for more, delivering compelling data stories with smart, interactive liveboards that feel familiar and consumer minded (stand CD538).
The S4labour EVO Project – is evolving, moving its game changing technology to a more powerful and enhanced platform. All productivity advances that have been delivered over the last 10 years have been upgraded, finetuned and enhanced with a completely new interface; making planning, managing and reviewing labour more efficient, productive and faster than ever before. The updated, more powerful S4labour system is being rolled out to every single customer, empowering operators with the best people, productivity and payroll tools in the industry (stand CD121).
CACI –Worker populations have changed dramatically, largely thanks to covid. Workers are spending more time at home than in the office and this is having a dramatic impact on leisure operators in our residential and previously densely populated worker destinations. CACI is tracking the change in footfall with our ‘Workplace movement model’ delivered at a local area level, using a combination of our unique mobile location data. Leisure Acorn consumer demographic data and national statistics to give the most accurate current world view. We can assess changing demand for your services, benchmark site performance and assess opportunities for growth. This approach tracks trends in workforce behaviours and assesses where and how customers are spending their money (stand CD564).
Zonal – The UK’s leading connected technology provider to the hospitality sector will be joined by industry partners Airship, Toggle, Feed It Back and Bums on Seats on the stand to showcase how connected tech can truly enhance the guest experience, automate processes, and provide operators with time savings and actionable insights to maximise
profits (stand CD637).
Book a stand today
If you are considering exhibiting your canned alcoholic drinks brand, Casual Dining is the perfect place to do so. The show will immerse you within the heart of the casual dining sector, you will meet quality buyers face to face and network with other brands.
If you would like to book a stand, please contact one of our sales team today:
Ollie Kinghorn, Sales Executive – [email protected], Tel: 01273 645163
Steve Herring, Event Manager – [email protected]
