3 F&B Tech Trends of 2014

We truly are in the midst of the digital age now. Before the computers take over and Skynet rules the world, why not make use of the newest tech at our disposal? These are some of the latest tech trends in the F&B industry that could benefit your business tremendously in the years to come. 

Payment Technology

Gone are the days when cash was king. Nowadays less and less people carry much cash with them, instead opting for plastic, web payments or even just their mobile phones- think Apple Pay, Google Wallet and the like. A restaurant, café or any F&B business that keeps up with the times will be able to provide their customers with more modern and convenient payment solutions. Given that mobile payments are forecast to exceed [1]one trillion dollars in 2014, it’s best to grab a slice of that potential cash-flow. Customers that get turned away because you don’t accept their payments will likely never return, nor will they recommend your business to friends and family. Just think of all that potential revenue lost.

Online & Apps

Now that dial-up modems are a thing of the past, the internet is your best friend! Online ordering is an extremely popular trend that many F&B businesses are making use of these days. Having a web presence, being listed on popular review sites or social media is sure to get people to your webpage. If you also have an online ordering service, you can almost be assured people will be placing orders online for delivery or pickup in no time. Even more popular these days are ordering apps. If your restaurant has a dedicated app, customers can enjoy the ultimate convenience of ordering, queuing or even paying for meals directly from their mobile phones. Offering an estimate for when customers can pick up or expect their orders to be delivered is even better. Such an experience is almost essential now for quick-service businesses since it not only saves time, but also frees up restaurant space that would otherwise be used up by grumpy queuing customers. 

Self-Service Tech

Change the way customers interact with your business by providing them with self-service kiosks and e-menus. Not only does this give customers the ability to feel in charge and make orders that are less likely to have errors in them, but it also helps reduce the number of staff required in your establishment. Many self-service options have included payment modules so that everything from the order, to the order being fired to the kitchen and even the payment can be done at once. Online menus can be programmed to show enticing photos, have different menus at different times of the day and omit sold out items. There is also a wow-factor that customers feel when being able to order in such a convenient way. It can often make your business stand out from the crowd, leading to repeat business. Technology really is amazing!

[1] http://blog.unibulmerchantservices.com/mobile-payment-volume-to-exceed-1-trillion-in-2014/