Restaurant Automation for Improved Operations

Foodservice businesses have writhed in pain for the past couple of years. The pandemic accentuated the usually dismal long-term success rates for restaurants. Approximately one-third of restaurants will fail each year, yet small restaurants are the most common type of new business. How can you help ensure that yours survives? One valuable way is to streamline your restaurant operation with automation.

Improve Ordering Speed

Online ordering is fundamental for small restaurants and casual operations. Customers now demand the ability to order from home or while on the way to your location. Payment options must be flexible and include credit cards and digital payment options. Then, customers can quickly grab their order and be on their way (or opt for delivery services for extra convenience).

Engage Your Customers

Automated apps collect customer data, too. Phone numbers and emails provide ways for you to contact prior customers and encourage repeat business. From Taco Tuesdays to Boozy Brunch invitations, online communication with customers keeps your restaurant offerings in front of those who already like what you sell. Retaining customers is key to a successful restaurant. Another good way to keep customers ordering your food is by offering incentives. Point-based loyalty programs reward customers for continuing to buy from your restaurant—a true win-win strategy.

Employee Scheduling

Eliminate paper or excel-based methods for scheduling employees with a simple (and free) cloud-based application. With real-time communication and options for employees to swap schedules and receive their schedules on PCs and phones, restaurant owners gain valuable time. Labor costs are also better controlled.

Automated Reservations

Taking reservations boosts a restaurant’s ability to plan and order supplies accordingly. For customers, it automatically sends confirmations and reminders as a date approaches. These functions reduce no-shows and help fill tables that become available.

Food Costs and Menu Pricing

No one makes money selling an item at a loss. With detailed ingredients and costs, food costing software gives restaurant owners insight into what each dish costs to prepare. Add your profit margin above overhead, and you have a reasonable price for each food item.

Inventory Management

You can’t sell what you don’t have. Automated inventory management reduces 86’d items and ensure that your site has the necessary product for sale—all while saving time. The software tracks what sells best (and what doesn’t) to optimize menu offerings, too.

Financial Tracking

Accounting and cash management can be costly, but it is critical for the successful management of the financial side of a restaurant. A solid financial system will monitor daily revenue and cash flow to ensure that you have what you need for payroll and other expenses.

Software applications focused on restaurants and small business operations work to enhance your operation. They will sustain high customer satisfaction while saving time and money. Improving your operation is easier if you utilize the many automated options for restaurants.

Author Profile Jon Forknell is the Vice President and General Manager of Atlas Business Solutions, Inc., a software marketing company specializing in employee scheduling software, including ScheduleBase employee scheduling software, and other business software solutions. In the past, Jon has been recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration as a SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year. For many years, Atlas Business Solutions has been named one of Software Magazine’s Top 500 Software Companies.