10 Instagram Marketing Strategies That Will Skyrocket Your Brand's Online Presence

Top Restaurant Tech Trends to Keep an Eye on in 2023

Discover the top restaurant technology trends that you cannot afford to miss in 2023, including online ordering, cloud kitchens, automated inventories, and eco-friendly packaging!
In recent years, technology has become an essential aspect of every industry. The food and beverage (F&B) industry has also seen significant changes due to technology, but it has faced tough times in recent years.
The pandemic resulted in the closure of outdoor dining, which led restaurants to adopt new methods like delivery and cloud kitchens, implement vaccine mandates, and reduce the seating capacity.
Many small and large restaurant operators suffered bankruptcy and closure. Despite the challenges, restaurants that have adapted and embraced technology have been able to survive and thrive in this environment.
As the pandemic hopefully comes to an end, the industry still faces staffing and economic challenges, but those who have embraced technology are in a better position to succeed.

How QR Codes and Digital Menus are Revolutionizing the Restaurant Industry

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of contactless payments and QR codes, leading to a projected valuation of over 6 trillion dollars in the contactless payment market by 2024.
As restaurants adapted to social distancing measures, they turned to intuitive payment methods to offer a safe and seamless food experience for their customers.
QR code menus, which have been popular in mobile-first countries like China for years, have now become ubiquitous in many countries worldwide.
QR code menus enable customers to access a digital menu and complete their order and payment transactions without unnecessary physical contact with servers.
This technology has made the ordering process more efficient and convenient, reducing the need for additional apps or physical menus.

The Transition Towards Digital Ordering

According to experts, the food delivery industry has grown threefold in the last five years and is now valued at over 150 billion USD, mainly due to the pandemic. This surge in demand has led to the rise of popular delivery services like ‘DoorDash’ and ‘UberEats’.

Previously, many restaurants hesitated to go online, but now they rely on delivery sales as a significant source of revenue, given the shift in consumer behavior. Consequently, numerous restaurant brands have partnered with existing marketplace delivery apps to facilitate online sales and increase revenue.

To manage performance visibility and customer feedback across multiple delivery apps, restaurants are using tools like Antler, which offers an easy-to-use platform for managing multiple sales and feedback channels.

The Growing Trend Towards First-Party Delivery Platforms

Sounds like a great solution for restaurants to increase their profitability by offering a direct ordering option for customers. By eliminating the additional fees and commissions charged by third-party delivery services, restaurants can offer their customers a more cost-effective option while also increasing their own profit margins.

Having a branded microsite like Antler is an excellent way for restaurants to maintain their brand identity and provide a seamless ordering experience for customers. Customers can easily access the site, browse the menu, and place their orders without having to navigate through a third-party platform.

Additionally, by owning the customer data and interactions on their microsite, restaurants can also better understand their customer's preferences and behaviors, allowing them to tailor their offerings and marketing efforts more effectively.

Overall, offering a first-party ordering option through a branded microsite like Antler can be a valuable investment for restaurants looking to boost their sales and profitability.

Inventory Management Software Streamlined with Automation

F&B businesses are facing significant challenges when it comes to managing multiple sales channels, not only from a marketing standpoint but also regarding kitchen operations.
A major pain point is a difficulty in accurately tracking inventory levels, from raw materials to finished goods.
This gap between customer expectations and reality often leads to increased waste and reportedly costs brands in this space around 100 billion dollars annually.

To address this issue, several companies have developed unique solutions to automate inventory management for the restaurant industry.
An emerging trend is technology providers linking sales data to inventory management software, enabling streamlined inventory management and purchasing for restaurants.
By adopting such technology, businesses can optimize their inventory management, minimize waste, and improve profitability while providing better customer experiences.

Growing Popularity of Kitchen Display Systems

Kitchen Display Systems (KDS) are digital displays that replace paper tickets and allow kitchen staff to manage orders in real-time.
The demand for KDS has risen due to the need for efficiency, accuracy, and speed in restaurant operations.
KDS helps reduce wait times, improve order accuracy, and integrate with other technologies for a seamless solution.
The adoption of KDS is a testament to the growing importance of technology in the restaurant industry.

Growing Significance of Cloud Kitchens and Virtual Brands

In the past, many aspiring restaurant owners had to abandon their dreams due to the challenge of finding a suitable location to accommodate their customers. However, the rise of the cloud kitchen concept has changed this.
Modern restaurant entrepreneurs are increasingly adopting the cloud kitchen model, which operates solely by accepting takeaway or delivery orders and does not require a physical space for customers to dine in.
By leveraging automation, cloud kitchen owners can run their businesses with significantly lower overhead costs compared to traditional restaurants. The concept of virtual brands is another innovative trend, allowing restaurants to cook multiple types of food under multiple customer-facing brands using a single kitchen.
This approach allows restaurants to generate more revenue from a single location and cater to a variety of customer tastes and preferences at different times of the day. To further enhance their success, some restaurants, such as Antler, partner with virtual brand management companies to manage their online reputation, marketing, and data.

Growing Adoption of Self-Ordering Kiosks by Customers

In today's world, GenZ prefers self-ordering and as they are tech-savvy, it is only natural for restaurant brands to use technology to facilitate this.
As a result, the use of self-ordering kiosks has become one of the biggest restaurant technology trends in 2023, with brands like McDonald's implementing dedicated kiosks at multiple locations within their stores.
Apart from reducing the need for additional staff, there are several other benefits of allowing customers to order through digital screens.
Firstly, it reduces queues at the counter, which eases the workload for employees. Secondly, order accuracy is improved as there is minimal human involvement during the ordering process.
Finally, brands have taken advantage of this opportunity to improve cross-selling and upselling by suggesting combos and add-ons to customers.

The Rise of Automated Marketing Strategies

As online channels continue to grow in importance, it is crucial for restaurant brands to recognize that they are no longer solely engaging with potential customers through physical dining outlets.
Today, customers are interacting with brands through multiple digital channels, such as SMS, phone calls, and more.
While this may have initially seemed overwhelming, restaurant brands are now beginning to realize the many opportunities for connection and data collection that come with omnichannel marketing.
Unfortunately, traditional systems are often unable to effectively manage omnichannel marketing, which has led many brands to adopt marketing automation tools that leverage AI, cognitive tech, and other capabilities to improve their management and execution of marketing efforts.
With these tools, hyper-automation becomes possible, enabling automated triggers for specific actions and leveraging available data to generate valuable insights and predictions. As a result, restaurant brands are better equipped to engage with customers and make data-driven decisions that improve the customer experience and drive business growth.

The Rise of Eco-Conscious Packaging Solutions

50% of consumers prioritize environmental sustainability when making purchasing decisions, leading restaurants and food brands to invest in eco-friendly packaging such as recyclable and biodegradable materials.
Big brands like Starbucks and McDonald's have already made changes, earning loyalty from customers who appreciate their commitment to conservation.
Other organizations are following suit by exploring sustainable options for products like paper-based straws and cutlery, packaging, and tableware.
These efforts not only appeal to eco-conscious customers but also contribute to a more sustainable future.

Enhancing Customer Loyalty and Reputation with Digital Solutions

One of the critical trends in restaurant technology is the management of online reputation and the building of customer loyalty.

To achieve this, brands need to respond to customer reviews, maintain an active social media presence, create a robust website, and optimize their Google My Business listing.

Moreover, some brands are providing customized loyalty programs and incentives to customers via their website or app to foster repeat business and brand loyalty.

Tools such as those offered by Antler simplify the management of reviews, messages, and customer interactions, thereby increasing digital loyalty and customer engagement.

Conclusions

Restaurant brands must establish a framework to fully leverage technology trends, which will undoubtedly continue to flourish.
This requires ongoing evolution, innovation, and an understanding of customer preferences to remain in sync.
Additionally, it is essential to ensure compatibility between technology providers to maximise automation and technology benefits seamlessly across all aspects of running a successful restaurant.