Technology Revolution in Restaurant Industry amid COVID-19

Human Interaction was indispensable until Covid-19 happened to this universe. Bustling high streets, crowded tubes, busy restaurants, and boisterous pubs were once the events of life. However, lockdown after coronavirus restricted human activities all around the world from western democracies to communist dictatorships. The world has changed now with all its new norms, routines, and protocols. Being alive is more important than anything else in this era. Therefore, lockdown restrictions after Covid-19 have received major acceptance and are being followed in all corners of the world. 

The pandemic came with a strong impact on all kinds of businesses that usher to the era of shutdowns, hybrid working environments, and even reversals in many regions, especially where variants caused a surge in cases of coronavirus. These crises subsequently urged businesses to change the model of working and accelerate the search for a new workforce, particularly with technical skills like information technology. In today’s evolving world, adaptability must be nurtured to recognize the mindset and learning environments of a workplace to cope with the situation after lockdown.

Nonetheless, restaurants businesses suffered terribly during the pandemic as lockdown completely shut down the activities of dining outside. All kinds of big and small restaurants were closed during the lockdown for the public and they could be closed again in the future following any worst situation of Covid-19. However, restaurants have adapted to the new working environment to stay afloat and connected to their customer. During the havoc of the pandemic, around 110,000 restaurants closed in the US only as per the factual reports of INSIDER.

In a few months, the Restaurant business has transformed into a hybrid business model after adapting digital technology that might take years if Covid-19 doesn’t happen. Restaurants have formed their digital portfolios in the form of websites, mobile applications, and blogs to make sure of their online availability. Moreover, they have created a strong presence on all social media platforms especially Facebook and Instagram which are the most used social applications on the internet by all groups of people. 

With the help of touchscreen software, online ordering has become more accessible and convenient for customers, making it a crucial tool for restaurants and delivery services to capitalize on the trend of online ordering and maximize their profits. Along with restaurants, delivery services also predate the pandemic and generated billion dollars in profits during the lockdown with the help of the technological revolution. Restaurants that adapted technology worked like ghost kitchens and exclusively deal in takeaways and home delivery to capitalize on this trend before in-house dining regain its dominance. Even after the reopening of restaurants, some people still prefer to order online for safe dining. Ordering online has also boosted the business of delivery services as ghost kitchens collaborate with the best home delivery organizations and work efficiently.

Restaurants have now used QR-code menus, and online ordering technology to run their business during the lockdown and attract new customers too. In Dublin, all types of fast food stores and restaurants remained open and run their business as normal during lockdown because of the online presence. Domino’s Pizza, Zouq Restaurant, Romayo’s Pizza, Kitchen 28, Hung Wun Chinese restaurant, and many more were available for home delivery and takeaway near my home in Dublin 15 during the lockdown.

Technology has made the restaurants business not only efficient but safer in the coming future too. Nowadays, when restrictions are getting off, reopening of restaurants is attached to following all the safety measures such as wearing a mask, 2-meter distance, and hand sanitization but after the pandemic, these measures will likely fade with the virus but the use of technology will persist. Restaurants have to invest more than anything into technology to ensure the long-lasting impact of their business and to avoid any uncertain future crisis.

The use of Technology devices has become crucial for the restaurant business to stay alive and in competition in today’s economic environment. Even small size restaurants are doing investments in acquiring these devices to streamline their working model and earn a delightful customer experience with huge remuneration after lockdown. Some of the devices are listed below which are considered quite efficient and safe to run a restaurant business.

1. Radio Frequency Identification (RFD) for Contactless payment
2. Near-Field Communication for Contactless Payment
3. Contactless Ordering like Kiosk which is introduced by KFC in different countries
4. Motion Sensor for hand sanitization
5. Motion Sensor for door openings
6. QR-code scanning via mobile apps in Smartphones
7. Screen takeover technology

All these technical devices are helping restaurants and delivery chains to move in that direction where they could not only survive but earn as pre-Covid-19 economic circumstances. Although this shift from traditional to a technical business model would be a turning point in history for the restaurant industry, it will take time and initial disturbances until the pandemic subsides. Altogether, the post-COVID restaurant environment will be entirely different and better by using digital technology. We hope that all big and small-value restaurants will be cleaner, safer, profitable, and efficient after this technological revolution in the near times.