Popular Restaurant Technology Trends to Watch

Restaurants aren’t always at the forefront of implementing new technology. However, recent world events and their aftermath have led to a rapid influx of technological advancements in the industry. What started as a necessity during the pandemic has garnered much attention and will likely become a mainstay. With the food tech market slated to be valued at nearly $342 billion USD by 2027, the demand for increased technology implementation in the industry will continue to rise. Technologies such as food delivery, ghost kitchen setups, and automated communications helped scores of restaurants remain business-worthy through the toughest times in recent history. And this seems to be just the beginning of a new era in the way food business owners operate. Read on as we discuss the hottest tech trends in the restaurant industry and the considerations to make before opening a restaurant in 2022.

The Importance of Technology in Food Businesses

Restaurant technology allowed the food industry to survive waves of restrictions and concerns brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. As the world continues to recover from the novel coronavirus, restaurateurs face challenges such as labor shortages and food safety concerns. Technology allows businesses to offset labor issues and also achieve contactless delivery. That’s not all. Technology solutions also help businesses improve with automated inventory mapping, food preparation, and enhanced point-of-sale analytics. From a customer perspective, technology also helps better meet consumer preferences.

8 Major Restaurant Tech Trends in 2022

The last few years brought staffing shortages, supply chain issues, and delivery concerns. Restaurants thus focused on improving automation, incorporating highly efficient software, and bringing more self-serve options to the fore.

This year is bound to see similar developments, with more technologies emerging to address challenges that continue to surface in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Self-order Kiosks for The Modern Customer

Self-order kiosks address multiple concerns with a single, convenient solution. These tools let tech-savvy customers choose what they like without feeling rushed. When tech-savvy customers are happy, they help build social proof for your restaurant.

Self-order kiosks also streamline customer flow and let staff focus on busier areas by freeing up employees who would otherwise be taking orders. Kiosks also improve ordering accuracy and create strong upselling opportunities through intuitive recommendations.

POS Systems & Integration Across Platforms

Point-of-sale systems have revolutionized how restaurants operate. In recent years, integrating POS systems with online ordering platforms, kitchen display systems, and self-ordering kiosks has greatly improved efficiency and made it easier to track sales and expenses. Integrating cloud technology into the POS system further improved flexibility and interoperability.

The Return of QR Tech

While not a new invention, QR codes were back in vogue the moment the pandemic hit. QR codes now help restaurants reduce touchpoints. They thus also reduce the risk of disease transmission by offering touchless menu options. Additionally, QR codes make takeout easier for customers.

Automated Kitchens & Combating Staff Shortage

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are slowly helping commercial food business owners combat staff shortages. This is done by automating preparation bays in the kitchen. As a result, business owners can move staff to other areas of the kitchen where tasks aren’t as repetitive or monotonous.

Drone Delivery

From self-driving cars to drones delivering pizza, food delivery is one of the prime subsectors implementing automation to mitigate delivery challenges. Major corporations are testing drone delivery and self-driving technology. We can expect further strides in this area in the coming months.

AI & Voice Technologies

Voice technology is another area of the restaurant industry where AI is increasingly becoming prominent. Voice tech can be essential in drive-thrus and self-order kiosks. The growing popularity of voice search and voice-activated features pushes restaurateurs to find new ways to integrate them. Though much remains to be addressed, big firms started with AI voice bots that accept orders to streamline workflow.

Ghost Restaurants

The uptick in demand for food delivery has driven advancements in delivery apps and related technologies. Ghost kitchens grew from such. Ghost kitchens are kitchens that serve customers only through their virtual platforms. Because this business model is lucrative and requires lower investment, ghost restaurants will likely continue to expand.

Chatbots & Operations

With advances in natural language processing (NLP), chatbots have been deployed more widely on restaurant webpages. They’re easy to create and straightforward to implement. Chatbots can take orders, upsell, provide suggestions, make reservations, offer promotions, collect feedback, and even process payments.

Factors to Consider Before Starting a Restaurant in 2022

In a fast-paced, evolving climate, stay aware of trends and other business-specific variables before starting your restaurant. Here are details to remember before your foray into the restaurant business in 2022:

An Overview of Restaurant Business Trends in 2022

Restaurants have been busier now that restrictions have eased. However, the landscape is quite different now. An increased focus on delivery along with offsetting labor shortages is of primary importance. Supply chain challenges affect the industry. The industry also needs to become more sustainable in the long run.

Set a Budget

Budgets are important for potential business owners, especially in the restaurant industry. Identify a number that will cover major costs like location, rent, upkeep, equipment, and estimated salaries. While this number can often be hard to hammer down, it’s important to stick to it. Remember to set aside a percentage of your budget for emergencies.

Invest in The Right Equipment & Tech

Invest in the right restaurant equipment and technology to keep your offerings current. While quality commercial kitchen equipment helps you serve top-notch dishes, efficient technology improves your operational metrics and helps your staff work better.

Choose Your Location Wisely

Location is one of the most important factors to consider when setting up your restaurant. Consider factors like average income in the area, footfall, visibility, and the number of competitors in the location you’re considering. When you factor these variables into the equation, you can arrive at a location best suited to your style of business.

Conclusion

Technology is now an integral part of every restaurant business. Do your research and consult professionals before you implement these advanced solutions.

Author Bio: Damon Shrauner, Senior Sales Consultant and VP of B2B Sales at CKitchen, has worked in the food service equipment sector since 1994. With his expertise in market analysis, product placement, sales, and project management, he always shares what’s best for your business.