As of 2019, there are over one million restaurants across the US, each competing for a limited pool of customers. Heading into 2020, competition is only set to increase. With seasonal fluctuations, changing laws around labor, and increased expectations for speed and service from customers, the pressure is on restaurant owners to find new ways to set their businesses up for success in 2020.
The best tool you have at your disposal is your restaurant technology. Here is the best restaurant tech to consider leveraging in the next year:
Point of Sale
Point of sale (POS) systems can make or break restaurants during peak seasons. They serve as the central hub for all restaurant technology and operations. The system you use will determine how efficiently you operate, and therefore, how satisfied your customers are.
Slow systems lead to long lines, disorganization, and order errors. All of these equal unhappy customers. Consider upgrading your legacy POS system to one that is faster and more capable of handling increased competition.
Fast CPU
A fast POS computer requires a fast CPU (central processing unit) to keep up with demand. The CPU is what powers your restaurant technology—essentially the brains of your operation. Most restaurants will need at least 1.8 gHz, but larger ones may need more depending on their needs.
It’s also critical that you have sufficient RAM (random access memory) to ensure data can be accessed quickly. The more solutions and processes you run through your POS terminal, the more RAM you will need. For maximum efficiency, opt for no less than 2GB.
All-in-One System:
An all-in-one POS makes it easy to handle fast-paced operations within a small footprint by innovatively combining all of the hardware and software required into one compact space. Many all-in-one system’s offer touchscreen capability for quick and easy order enter, especially ideal for optimal productivity.
Kitchen Display Systems
Your kitchen display system (KDS) is the communication link between the front- and back-of-house staff within your restaurant. This innovative restaurant tech helps optimize your kitchen, cut costs, and reduce order errors.
A KDS consists of four main parts:
- Controller
- Monitor
- Bump bar
- Software
All of these work together to help restaurants create fast and accurate orders for enhanced service and positive customer experiences.
Gift Cards
During this past holiday season, you may have heard customers ask if you have gift cards. You may have even received a gift card yourself. Gift cards are a great way to market your business and get new people in the door. They’re also guaranteed revenue—when someone purchases a gift card, you receive the full amount whether it is used or not. Customers also tend to spend more than the value of the gift card when they use it.
Online Ordering
Online ordering is another way to boost your online presence and extend the reach of your brand. It puts your menu where your customers can see it, and if it is integrated into your POS, it can help you streamline your orders for better kitchen management. Especially during the beginning of the year, when the holiday rush is over and weather conditions are bad, online ordering gives you an added stream of revenue during slow periods.
Heading into 2020:
Moving into a new decade, it’s imperative that business owners have the right technology in place to position them above the competition and meet customer demands. Logic Controls has a long history of working with restaurant owners, providing the restaurant tech they need to address the challenges of today and tomorrow.
CTA: Contact Logic Controls for your 2020 technology needs!
