During the COVID 19 pandemic, the restaurant industry saw an increased demand for mobile and third-party ordering. Since in person dining dropped due to safety concerns and restrictions, restaurants were forced to adopt the latest technology to meet new consumer demands and support digital and curbside orders.
This shift has had a long-term impact on how restaurants operate, causing many establishments to prioritize online ordering and delivery options. These services quickly became a standard for restaurants due to their ease and convenience, driving new IT deployments to streamline operations and meet growing demand.
Currently, new technology is being deployed to support omnichannel ordering, as well as automations for streamlined operations and efficiency. Ultimately, these investments help restaurants improve the customer experience.
Let’s take a look at the IT deployments transforming the restaurant back of house.
A key tool for any restaurant aiming to streamline back of house operations and boost efficiency is a kitchen display system (KDS). These systems optimize workflows by providing real-time order information, displaying orders as they’re placed, making sure every order is prepared quickly and accurately.
By leveraging a KDS you keep all your orders in one place, ensuring your restaurant staff can stay organized and prioritize tasks by urgency. This not only enhances operational efficiency but also allows staff to get orders out as quickly as possible. Additionally, digital displays ensure smooth communication between the front and back of house, minimizing potential errors and ensuring happy and loyal customers.
Restaurants can take this a step further by adopting an all-in-one POS system in addition to a KDS to maximize their efficiency by managing orders from multiple channels and sequencing them appropriately. The combination of these two systems helps staff easily identify which orders need to be packed up and ready for pickup or delivery.
In addition to the KDS, unified, all-in-one POS systems are driving back of house digital transformation. A unified POS system provides restaurant staff with an extensive view of all orders regardless of point of purchase. For example, an order that came through a third-party app will appear in the same system as an order that came through the drive-thru.
Upgrading your POS system to one that handles all orders is the key to streamlining operations and improving efficiency. By eliminating the need for different systems your staff can easily manage and access orders from third-party apps, the company website, drive-thru, kiosks, etc. This reduces the confusion and potential errors that come from multiple order sources.
By having all orders in one place restaurant staff can stay organized and prioritize orders effectively. This not only enhances operational effectiveness but also speeds up order delivery, leading to happier customers and leaving less room for error.
As a result of increased order volume, restaurants have started implementing new ways to manage their inventories. Automated inventory management systems utilize technologies like RFID to provide accurate, real-time tracking and monitoring of inventory, reducing errors and ensuring greater accuracy.
Automated inventory management systems not only provide restaurants with real time tracking but also help streamline ordering and replenishing. These systems can automatically create orders when inventory is below a predetermined level, ensuring your restaurant never runs out of stock.
Moreover, automated inventory management systems enhance efficiency by eliminating the need for manual inventory checks. With RFID technology, businesses can quickly scan and update inventory levels, freeing employees to focus on more important tasks, such as serving customers.
Restaurant IT innovation doesn’t just stop at the front of the house. By adopting these trends, restaurants can streamline their operations, reduce errors, and handle higher order volumes without compromising on quality. These technologies not only help restaurants meet current demands but also position them for future growth, enabling them to stay ahead of the competition and provide exceptional dining experiences.
Take the first steps towards more efficient back of house operations by letting Level 10 help navigate your digital transformation. Our advanced solutions are designed to meet the specific needs of modern restaurants, providing efficient, reliable, and innovative technologies that fuel back-of-house digital transformation.
Contact us today to digitally transform your restaurant operations.