Technology and innovation have become essential lifelines for restaurants, enabling them to transform operations and not just survive, but thrive in today’s connected and contactless landscape. The food and beverage industry must embrace the emerging trends that empower businesses to reinvent themselves and stay relevant in an increasingly competitive market. This is why business owners should be aware of these three technology trends for restaurants.

1. Self-Order Kiosks

According to a 2023 survey by QSR Magazine, over 60% of fast-food customers prefer using kiosks over traditional ordering methods due to speed and convenience.

There is a growing popularity in self-order kiosks as customers enjoy the convenience of ordering via easy-to-use digital displays, and the digitally native consumer finds this a more relaxing experience in comparison to ordering with a human. They can also review and personalize their order autonomously – meaning it’s less likely for small yet irritating slip-ups to occur, like forgetting to add a sauce or side, for example.

For the restaurant owner, aside from the obvious potential to reduce front-of-house staffing costs and increase the speed of order fulfillment, service kiosks offer them the opportunity to increase the average order value with upsell prompts. Some digital menu boards have integrated AI technology able to upsell dynamically based on trending products or the weather.

     2. Loyalty Software Is on the Rise

As rising inflation affects consumer spending, customer retention remains a significant challenge for small food businesses. To address this issue, the food and beverage industry has increasingly turned to customer loyalty software, which promotes repeat purchases through rewards and follow-up offers.

Tech Co.’s survey revealed that, while only 25% of businesses currently use this software, 65% adopted it within the last year. This indicates a growing trend as businesses navigate fluctuating customer traffic, highlighting the rising cost of living.

With many POS systems now incorporating customer loyalty features, integrating loyalty data with your overall business information has become quick and easy.

     3. Contactless Payment

Contactless payment has gained significant traction in the restaurant industry, enabling diners to settle their bills using smart watches, smart phones, or smart cards through apps or touchless devices. This technology goes beyond just online ordering, offering a seamless payment experience.

The recent COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of contactless payment methods, as it became essential for minimizing germ transmission through cash exchanges. According to a 2020 Juniper Research study, about 53% of global transactions processed through POS systems are expected to be contactless within the next five years. With the elimination of cash, contactless payments provide a quick, convenient, and hygienic option for both customers and staff. To stay competitive, restaurants must prioritize investing in mobile and table-sidepayment solutions.  Our mobile and table-side payment solutions are ideal for restaurants that want to accept electronic payments table-side from their customers.

If you are a restaurant that is looking to modernize and streamline how you take payments and enhance your customers’ overall buying experience, contact us today, so we can review your needs and find the best platform for your business!

If you need help with your business’ payment solution, Contact us today!