Source: Shelby Food Service
By Karen Bremer, Executive Director Georgia Restaurant Association
Restaurateurs, chefs and managers often embrace changes that help their bottom line and that allow their restaurants to run more effectively and efficiently. Often, that comes with embracing new technology and trends ranging from adopting the latest culinary trends to implementing gadgets in their restaurants.
By Karen Bremer, Executive Director Georgia Restaurant Association
Restaurateurs, chefs and managers often embrace changes that help their bottom line and that allow their restaurants to run more effectively and efficiently. Often, that comes with embracing new technology and trends ranging from adopting the latest culinary trends to implementing gadgets in their restaurants.
Each year, the National Restaurant Association releases its "What’s Hot" culinary forecast predicting which trends will be seen in the restaurant industry for that year. While the top trends for 2015 include local sourcing, environmental sustainability and healthful kids’ meals, several technology trends were predicated as well. The top technology trends include the use of tablet computers (e.g. iPad) for menus, wine lists and ordering, smartphone and tablet apps for consumers', chefs' and restaurateurs' use, and mobile and wireless payment options.
With so many options out there, it can be a little overwhelming choosing the best operating system, app or company for a restaurant’s specific needs. To help ease this decision, and to help make the day-to-day operations of running a restaurant easier, the Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA) works in partnership with several companies that provide innovative and beneficial services to restaurants to help them succeed with their goals.
One of the reasons restaurants invest in technology is to make their daily work more cost-effective and efficient. GRA’s allied partner, Orderly, specializes in this by using technology to streamline the restaurant ordering process. Operators can order ingredients and supplies on any mobile device while making informative purchasing decisions for their restaurant. Another partner, Barmetrix, uses a combination of technology, process, information and training to maximize the inventory and service experience, while Easy CO2 helps operations by using innovative technology to supply CO2 for restaurants by eliminating venting and product loss.
Advanced reporting and measurement tools are also beneficial for restaurants. GRA partner Guestmetrics offers a free enterprise reporting solution as well as competitive benchmark reporting for beverages and food, while Wyngspan, Inc. is an online community where consumers, professionals and businesses share resources they trust.
Restaurants are also taking advantage of another popular trend – mobile apps. Whether you are looking to create an app for your restaurant, or implement one that will help with your marketing needs, there are several options available. For example, The Mobile Vine designs mobile apps and websites to help increase orders, visits, customer loyalty and ultimately revenue. Meanwhile, JoinMe@ is a mobile app that utilizes restaurants’ current customers to perform digital word-of-mouth marketing with their friends.
While not all trends become permanent, it is still valuable for restaurant operators and owners to acknowledge the importance of implementing certain factors that will help them keep up with the changing needs and trends of their customers. Some trends will also help make operating a restaurant easier and will ultimately allow operators to stay competitive, innovative and ahead in the industry while helping their business grow.
With so many options out there, it can be a little overwhelming choosing the best operating system, app or company for a restaurant’s specific needs. To help ease this decision, and to help make the day-to-day operations of running a restaurant easier, the Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA) works in partnership with several companies that provide innovative and beneficial services to restaurants to help them succeed with their goals.
One of the reasons restaurants invest in technology is to make their daily work more cost-effective and efficient. GRA’s allied partner, Orderly, specializes in this by using technology to streamline the restaurant ordering process. Operators can order ingredients and supplies on any mobile device while making informative purchasing decisions for their restaurant. Another partner, Barmetrix, uses a combination of technology, process, information and training to maximize the inventory and service experience, while Easy CO2 helps operations by using innovative technology to supply CO2 for restaurants by eliminating venting and product loss.
Advanced reporting and measurement tools are also beneficial for restaurants. GRA partner Guestmetrics offers a free enterprise reporting solution as well as competitive benchmark reporting for beverages and food, while Wyngspan, Inc. is an online community where consumers, professionals and businesses share resources they trust.
Restaurants are also taking advantage of another popular trend – mobile apps. Whether you are looking to create an app for your restaurant, or implement one that will help with your marketing needs, there are several options available. For example, The Mobile Vine designs mobile apps and websites to help increase orders, visits, customer loyalty and ultimately revenue. Meanwhile, JoinMe@ is a mobile app that utilizes restaurants’ current customers to perform digital word-of-mouth marketing with their friends.
While not all trends become permanent, it is still valuable for restaurant operators and owners to acknowledge the importance of implementing certain factors that will help them keep up with the changing needs and trends of their customers. Some trends will also help make operating a restaurant easier and will ultimately allow operators to stay competitive, innovative and ahead in the industry while helping their business grow.
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