7 Tech Tools For Franchise Owners To Improve Restaurant Revenue
Today, restaurant franchise owners aren’t just in the food business, they’re also in the tech business. Restaurant concepts are looking to tech tools to improve restaurant revenue profitably in this post-pandemic era. Franchise owners are finding innovative solutions, focusing on how to increase restaurant revenue — while improving profitability and customer experience.
Technology is helping franchisees improve their restaurants on many levels. Here are some of the top technologies in use throughout the restaurant industry, along with several benefits they can bring to a restaurant franchise.
1. Point-of-Sale (POS) System
As a franchisee, if you were able to invest in only one piece of technology what would it be? The answer is your POS, as it’s the workhorse, multi-tasker of restaurant tech. A POS system can help franchise owners in many ways such as:
- Integrating online orders
- Easily updating the menu
- Completing inventory tracking
- Managing staff
- Generating financial reports
- Processing payments
- Collecting a wealth of data to use for targeted marketing
- And much more…
2. Self-Ordering Kiosks
Take Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken for example. When they strategically implemented contactless ordering via self-ordering kiosks, the result was a “rise” in sales. They even found an increase in certain types of menu items, including orders of side items.
The moral of the story is, guests expect a smooth customer experience. That means delivering things fast and easy… and with fewer human touchpoints. By offering tech solutions like kiosk ordering or online ordering through your franchise brand’s app, you’re creating a win-win. Benefits for both the franchisee and the customer can include:
- Improving the customers experience (or customer satisfaction)
- Boosting sales for franchise owners
- Improve operational efficiencies
- Lowering labor costs
3. Inventory Management Software
Inventory management software helps manage stock levels, purchase orders and menu costs. This tool helps franchise owners reduce food waste and lower costs. IoT enabled equipment can also work by alerting you when items need to be ordered and can even identify spoiled food.
4. Tableside Tech
During COVID, the less interaction people had with others became the norm and the technology that facilitated this persists today. Technology solutions like SkyTab used by Taffer’s Tavern, lets customers order and pay tableside.
Guests can easily split a bill and choose whether to receive an email or paper receipt — or both. For franchisees, this technology can result in using less labor, and even turning tables more quickly. Data is created allowing owners to create customer profiles that along with other POS tools data can be used to create intelligent, targeted promotions and marketing.
5. Automats and Food Lockers
Is dining in at QSR restaurants a thing of the past? Probably not, but customers have voted with their wallets and they are demanding more takeout options. In 2021, 80% of traffic was take-away and delivery.* While it’s convenient for guests, it can be labor intensive for staff. To address this issue, several QSR brands found a solution in using storage.
At Brooklyn Dumpling Shop, an Automat system dispenses orders for customers while at Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken, temperature controlled lockers keep orders ready for delivery driver or guest pick up. Automats and food lockers are providing a great service.While customers may want to experience the benefits of dining from home, they also want more takeout options that provide seamless customer experience.
6. Technology That Helps People With Food Allergies In Understanding Menus
It’s estimated that 33 million Americans have a food allergy.* For a restaurant operator ensuing that no customer is served a dish with ingredients they are allergic can be problematic. It’s time consuming for staff and if a guest is advised incorrectly, it’s a potential liability issue. Now software by CertiStar offers a program covering all the 170+ food allergens that integrates with a restaurants’ menu. Whether guests have one or multiple allergies, our searchable menus can process any combination. The technology is in use at Fazoli’s nationwide.
7. Kitchen Display Systems
These systems link front of the house with the kitchen. Items can be fired when entered into the ordering system, tickets are routed to the right cooks immediately, staff can see where each order is the process and tickets are never lost. Restaurants are able to increase operational efficiency, identify any staffing issues and turn tickets faster.
If you’re looking for the top emerging franchise concepts using the latest in restaurant technology, contact Fransmart today to start your franchising journey. Fransmart is the global leader in franchise development.
*Sources
https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-many-Americans-have-food-allergies
https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/how-5-new-qsr-designs-optimize-the-off-premise-experience/608317/
