It’s one of the oldest industries in historyand hassurvived various challenges over the years. Today, there over 15 million restaurants across the world, employing countless people. Restaurants feed us, help us socialize, and sometimes even entertain us.
As technology becomes a more significant part of our lives, the restaurant industry also utilizes technologyin order to adapt. Let’s look at some interesting pieces of technology that are changing the restaurant industry today:
1. Rugged Computers
A restaurant kitchen can be rough — and we’re not just talking about the head chef aggressively marshalling other cooks during lunch hour. When the restaurant is busy, things can get messy, especially in smaller restaurants where limited space can result in accidents.
With restaurants using PCs to organize orders, they simply can’t use unreliable computers that malfunction because of extreme temperatures or exposure to liquids. That’s why more eateries today use rugged computers.
A rugged PC is powerful yet small, compact, and fanless — and is often paired with a waterproof monitor for extra durability.From the right manufacturer, a rugged computer can also handle shock from falls, which is especially helpful if the head chef is a bit temperamental.
2. Food Delivery
With the pandemic making it difficult for many restaurants to host patrons, food ordering platforms such as Uber Eats, Skip the Dishes, DoorDash, Foodora, and others are filling the gap. Customers use these platforms to place orders and receive food from their favorite eateries when they must observe physical distancing rules.
Many restaurants have wholeheartedly adopted thedigital model by serving orders online exclusively. By doing so, they save on operational costs such as rent, utilities, and more. However, not all restaurants are happy with online delivery services. Many complain that delivery platforms charge an excessive fee and have harsh penalties for even minor customer complaints Food verification(먹튀검증).
3. Chatbots
Some restaurants have started their own digital platforms where customers can placeorders directly in order to remain independent from third-party platforms and avoid fees. To give customers more personalized experiences, some restaurants have integrated chatbots into their websites.
Chatbots are computer programs designed to simulate human speech during conversations with people on the Internet. For example, a chatbot can help a customer determine what items from the menu would be suitable for a child or how much food to order for a larger party.
4. Self-Service Kiosks
Restaurants across the world are adopting self-service kiosks in order to help customers place orders without having to interact with servers. Self-serving kiosks were initially designed to alleviate pressure on restaurants during rush hour by cutting down queues. Eateries are finding such kiosks especially useful during the pandemic because the technology helps enforce physical distancing rules.
A perk for customers is that they can take as long as they want to select items that suit their tastes and budgets. Many introverted customers also prefer to use these computers to avoid awkwardness.
As customer tastes and demands continue to evolve, expect the restaurant industry to adopt technology even further to stay one step ahead of the many challenges they face.
