The restaurant industry is unique when compared to other industries. On the one hand, restaurants must embrace the past, paying reverence to traditional methods of cooking. At the same time though, the culinary industry is valued for its innovation in flavors, fusions, atmosphere and more. One area that is seeing the most innovation is in the way restaurants are incorporating advances in technology.
Every year seems to bring something new that will permanently change the face of the culinary industry. 2019 is no different, and the following are some of the major ways that technology is changing the restaurant industry.
Bluetooth Temperature Sensors
Rarely will you find a kitchen worker who doesn’t hate checking food safety checklists. This is why many restaurants have begun to use Bluetooth temperature monitoring systems. These ensure that food and equipment are at the proper temperatures.
Managers can program customized limits for every food item and piece of restaurant equipment so that they will be alerted if temperatures become unacceptable. In addition, these sensors have the ability to record readings eliminating the need for employees to do this. This will not reduce errors in employee readings but will also reduce paper usage. Above all, these types of devices will protect customers from becoming ill after eating questionable foods.
Mobile and Online Ordering
Smartphones and mobile devices have become one of the most important tools for restaurants. A major problem for urban dwellers is the lack of space and time to cook at home. This is why apps like Uber Eats or DoorDash have become so popular.
Diners can now enjoy their favorite meal from their favorite restaurant while relaxing at home. Restaurant owners love using these apps because they require a very limited amount of overhead while providing a large return on investment.
With so little technological know-how needed to be able to set up a platform for delivering food, it makes sense why so many restaurants have begun to explore using these types of programs. As recently as the 1st quarter of 2018, over $7billion has been invested in mobile food delivery apps. That amount of investment is expected to continue growing exponentially over the next few years.
Scheduling Software
One of the most difficult jobs for restaurant managers is creating the schedule. With employees always requesting days off or asking for vacation requests, and having to factor in school schedules, making the weekly schedule can be tricky. Fortunately, new programs like ZoomShift are designed to simplify the scheduling process.
Scheduling software usually will have features like a database where you can enter the hours an employee regularly works. It then will automatically schedule the employee with minimal effort for the manager.
This type of software also has a function for vacation requests where an employee will ask for time off in advance. That way, if a manager tries to schedule them during the vacation, an alert will be sent. Another benefit of this type of software is that the schedule will be available online.
This will stop employees asking about when they work next during a meal rush since they can
look it up on their phone.
With technology always progressing, it makes sense to embrace it, especially as it will definitely have a big impact on the restaurant industry in the coming years. From the increase in people ordering meals for delivery with their mobile devices to the use of technology to help check food safety and create work schedules, there will be several ways that technology will greatly affect the culinary industry in 2019.
The key is to not forget your past while embracing the future, so you can run the best spot in town.
