Last year’s pandemic forced the closings of many restaurants. Now, those that survived are facing challenges of higher labor costs and supply chain shortages. But technology solutions have proven to be business-savers. Technology investments are being made in mobile order and pay apps, online order fulfillment, and contactless payments.
The digital sales channel is becoming the ordering method of choice for many consumers. Chipotle, Domino’s, Dunkin’, and Starbucks are seeing expanding volume growth in mobile ordering. These order and pay solutions also increase staff productivity and allow for more cost-effective restaurant operations, exactly what these restaurants need in a rising cost environment.
The following excerpt from a QSR article reports more on the topic:
As of April, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the leisure and hospitality industry—including restaurants—had lost 2.8 million jobs since February 2020, mostly related to COVID-19. As the economy reopens and the industry rebounds dramatically, tight labor markets have made it difficult for many restaurants to find enough workers.
There are a number of technologies to not only help restaurants through this tough time, but also enable quick-service restaurants forward to become digital-first experiences for their consumers. With a future-forward strategy to transform into a more digitally-native storefront, quick-service restaurants can not only avert challenges in hiring and retaining employees, they can also create increased brand and store loyalty amongst their consumer base.
Restaurants need to reinforce their operations with contactless technology to reap the benefits of the next chapter of the quick-serve industry where customer demand is far outpacing staff levels. Self-service kiosks not only deliver a personalized consumer experience by decreasing order time and increasing customer throughput, they also decrease the number of staff needed to take orders and relay them through to the kitchen and staff interacting with consumers in the dining area.
Overview by Raymond Pucci, Director, Merchant Services at Mercator Advisory Group
