Restaurants were known to be very slow to adapt to new technologies. But after the coronavirus pandemic, the food industry has undergone several years’ worth of progress in a few months. Restaurants were among the most affected businesses since the pandemic because it entails physical contact. For the coronavirus-stricken restaurants to resume operations embracing technological trends was a must. It was necessary to ensure their client’s and staff’s safety. Even though everyone is hoping for things to go back to normal, some of these technological advancements will stay longer because of convenience. Here is how technology has helped restaurants remain afloat during the pandemic.
Virtual Reality
Most restaurants are turning to virtual brands and ghost kitchens to help boost sales. Also, menus pass through many hands in a restaurant, and as you can imagine, that became very problematic with the pandemic. For that reason, the dine-in establishments adopted virtual menus. Even though most establishments adopted very strict protocols that included wiping menus after every use, virtual menus are the safest. To make customers comfortable, digital menus were offered that can be accessed through smartphones or portable units at the table. That is the best way a restaurant can be sensitive to the customer’s fears and needs. An investment in the right technologies like virtual reality will ensure steady operations.
Contactless Payments
Paper currency is a perfect way of transferring germs and, in this case, the coronavirus. Restaurants are now using a contactless payment means to avoid any physical contact and to keep everyone safe. Using mobile technology, customers can settle their bill without handing over cash or cards. Contactless payment had existed before the pandemic, but restaurants were yet to adopt the trend. Today most restaurants have set up mobile payment strategies that allow diners to pay by waving their card or phone over a device. It will enable their information to be transmitted over a short distance. The payment method is also very convenient for the customers and restaurant staff; it also saves a lot of time. The extra precaution helped build confidence in clients who had started keeping away from such establishments.
Online Ordering
Most restaurants now have online ordering software. The traditional sense of restaurants does not include delivering food or online ordering. But these are not traditional times, things changed very quickly in the past few months, and the businesses had to adapt. They only allowed dine-ins, but now they partner with delivering services to retain their loyal customers. The pandemic saw the rise of dark kitchens and food delivery services. Since most people preferred to rent a kitchen and only prepare meals for delivery, restaurants had to compete by allowing online ordering. If you don’t wish to sit and eat at your favourite restaurant, you can order your favourite meal and have it delivered. The software has helped most restaurants thrive in such a challenging period and remain relevant to the changing trends in the food industry.
Digital Marketing
In today’s tech-driven world, it was time restaurants started using digital marketing. Most of them were sluggish in the past in embracing these marketing strategies, but the pandemic had everyone building an online presence. Websites, email advertising, influencer marketing, and online reviews are some of the ways restaurants are coping. It’s had to use the traditional methods of advertising when everything is locked down. That is why most restaurant owners had to be creative and start using digital marketing to engage their customers. Consistent communication with clients is very important even when the business is shut down. If you want them to remember your name when you resume operations and your meals, you have to engage them through marketing. Today an advertising campaign once every year is not enough; you have to be consistent.
Mobile Apps
For takeaways, delivery, ordering and reservations, some food businesses use mobile apps now. For fear of transmitting or catching the coronavirus, people are increasingly seeking contactless everything. That’s why drastic changes had to be made everywhere; restaurants adopted apps to help in offering services. An app is also the best way to give your customers a personalised dining experience. One of the precautions these dining establishments are taking is asking health-related questions to customers when they book a table through the apps. That will ensure they are not risking any of their diner’s health trying to provide services. It also ensures extra precaution is taken for when they come for their dining experience if they have medical conditions.
Conclusion
Technological advancements and new trends have been the saviour of many coronavirus-stricken businesses. For a while, delivery services were the primary source of revenue for many restaurants. Since they could not provide dine-in services, it was the next available option to stay in business. However, the food industry is still a profitable venture; the setbacks should not discourage you as a potential investor. With a commercial kitchen for rent near me, you can find the perfect kitchen for rent space to help you start a food business.