Restaurateurs have been exposed to innovations in the food and beverage industry over time. Some of the catalysts behind these innovations include evolving demographics, labor shortage, and new technological advancements1.
For example, according to Toast’s third annual industry report released in 2017, 95 per cent of restauranteurs believe that technology improves efficiency while 73 per cent of diners note that technology enhances the dining experience2. In the past years, convenience stores have improved their product offerings in a fuss-free experience for customers. Restaurant operators are encouraged to follow the success of convenience stores.
Convenient dining
Food operators prioritize convenience, quality, and value-for-money offerings to diners1. They are aware that consumers demand convenience. For instance, quick food deliveries by UBER and Foodpanda continue to impact back-end operations in restaurants1. Restaurants partner with these companies to expand business operations by targeting a wider customer base to offer delivery services.
In Singapore, a variety of restaurants have partnered with Foodpanda. Examples of these merchants include So Pho, COLLIN’S, Sarpino’s, Old Town White Coffee, and Napolizz Pizza3. Consumers have the options to choose poultry, meat, seafood, desserts and local dishes.
A Foodpanda app with dining options for booking
Enhance quality with technology
Convenience stores have improved their operations in catering to consumers’ demands for higher quality food items1. These stores have engaged professional chefs to provide quick hot-meals and healthy on-the-go alternatives to diners1. Similarly, restaurants can also aim to implement such technologies to function more efficiently. For instance, restaurateurs can adopt an automated oil management system. By monitoring the consumption of oil, it assists in maintaining high quality food4.
Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) in America uses oil management system to keep their food fresh. Credits: @kfc
References:
1. Modern Restaurant Management. (2018). What Restaurants Can Learn from Convenience Stores. [online] Available at: https://www.modernrestaurantmanagement.com/what-restaurants-can-learn-from-convenience-stores/
2. Toast. (2017). Restaurant Technology in 2017. [online] Available at: https://pos.toasttab.com/restaurant-management/restaurant-technology-industry-report
3. Foodpanda Singapore. (2018). Restaurants. [online] Available at: https://www.foodpanda.sg/restaurants/lat
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4. Hospitality Tech. (2012). KFC Reduces Costs with Automated Oil Management. [online] Available at: https://hospitalitytech.com/kfc-reduces-costs-automated-oil-management