Tablets are popping up in a variety of restaurants, from freestanding units on tables in fast-casual restaurants to discreet hand-helds that can be found even in higher-end establishments. How do you know if tablets are right for your restaurant?
Who are your customers?
Are your typical guests likely to embrace technology? To some, tablets may seem impersonal – taking the human element out of the transaction. Others love gadgets and may enjoy the opportunity to control their dining experience. Consider whether your customers are likely to be attracted or repelled by tablets.
Can your staff adapt?
When you add tablets to your business, it will change the flow within the restaurant. Can the front of the house quickly learn the technology and concisely teach diners to use it? Do you have a system in place to address any bugs? Your system for managing tickets and collecting payment must be efficient. Glitches in either can really kill your business.
Can you keep up with technology?
Tablet technology changes so fast that it’s obsolete practically out of the box. Handwritten tickets have been much the same for decades. But today’s sleek, state-of-the-art tablet is tomorrow’s clunker. How are you going to address this? How easy is it to change and update the system? Restaurants change daily, whether it’s 86ing an item that runs short or adding dishes that use locally available produce. Can your technology keep up?
Making the most of tablet technology
One of the best reasons to adopt tablet usage is the wealth of data they can collect. That is just wasted if you don’t take advantage of it. Put a system in place to manage and analyze that data. Gather information you can use for marketing or to make smarter business decisions.
To best add tablets to your restaurants you must begin by choosing the right tablet and system, having clear goals for the technology and ensuring it is compatible with your current systems and goals.
Looking for the latest in technologies for your restaurant? Need help finding the best possible staff for your restaurant, hotel or resort? Contact Horizon Hospitality today. We are the experts in hospitality industry recruiting.
