6 surprising statistics on restaurant technology

Technology may seem like a part of our everyday lives, but that’s not the norm yet in the restaurant industry.

Technology is the new normal, right?

A recent report from The National Restaurant Association studied the state of technology in the industry … and its slow adoption is a marvel.

Certainly there is no lack of technology, restaurants have a wide variety of applications and software to choose from. In fact, in May 2016 alone there was an influx of $ 115 million into the restaurant tech landscape.

So why aren’t they taking advantage of such a variety of applications and software that could help them?

To address this issue, in this article we tell you 6 of the most shocking statistics of the survey The Nationa Restaurant Association in the United States, whose results are not so different from those of any other country in the world.

1. Restaurants are technological laggards

Outside of the industry, they are perceived like this: Restaurants are slow to embrace technological change.

But the survey is done to restaurant owners, not customers or suppliers.

The result is this:

• Only 12% admit to being up-to-date
• Only 32% admit to being behind in their business

The rest proved not to be at the forefront of restaurant technology.

2. The use of technology is very limited

Okay, restaurants are not on the cutting edge of technology. The question is: where is the technology that exists in restaurants invested?

The answer is sad:

• 81% invest in POS
• 68% in Wi-Fi coverage
• 42% in tactile cash registers

In return

• Only 37% invest in online orders
• Only 32% in mobile payments
• Only 25% invest in online reservation systems

A lot is invested in classic technology, which makes no difference in their restaurants.

3. Money is not what slows down investment

When we think of technological lag in restaurants, we think it is because owners cannot / want to spend money on technology, but the study shows that they are not.

These are the reasons why they don’t:

• How will I do maintenance?
• Will customers adapt to the changes?
• Will I lose my older customers to “rejuvenate” my business?

4. Restaurants WANT to invest more

45% of owners admit that they do want to invest more in their business technology. That is, the problem is not a lack of will or resources.

In fact, restaurant investment in technology has been increasing steadily for years.

Perhaps the previous points explain this point more.

5. Industry admits the benefits of technology

The survey, aimed at those who admitted lag in their businesses in a technological nature, were asked about their perception of it.

These were the results of the question posed to them….

“Do you believe that technology:

• Provides competitive advantages
• Makes me more productive
• Increase my sales “

6. Restaurants have a “wish list”

I leave the most interesting question for last: How would you like technology to help you in your restaurant?

• 53% Predictive orders
• 36% Better digital menus (more independence from developers)
• 16% Home delivery via drones (yes, even if it surprises you)

Study conclusions

So what is the conclusion of the report?

• The adoption of current technology in restaurants is slow.
• Despite this slow adoption, the future will show that more restaurants will adopt and expect restaurant technology and applications to become part of their operations.
• The industry is slow; but inevitably, technological … and the key to faster adoption will be the use of affordable and easy-to-use applications and software.

Restaurant owners will need to prioritize the technology that will require the least effort to pay and configure, and that will have the greatest impact on their bottom line.