Seven technologies to improve restaurant management

Brazilians value a good dining experience. Research used as a reference in presentations by executives from the Brazilian Food Industry Association (Abia) show that 84% of people think that going to a restaurant with family and friends is the best way to enjoy leisure time. And 67% prefer to spend money on a restaurant experience rather than shopping in a store.

A study carried out by Instituto Foodservice Brasil (IFB) in partnership with the market intelligence company Mosaiclab calculated that Brazilians spent R$ 216.2 billion on eating out in 2022. This represents an increase of 27.6% compared to the previous year.

"Despite the favorable scenario, competition is fierce and improving management is fundamental to optimizing processes and improving business efficiency," says Sergio Marcondes, co-founder of Linked Tech, a commercial automation startup that serves companies in the out-of-home food segment, such as restaurants and cafeterias, and a member of Grupo Entre, an ecosystem of companies focused on the payment methods market, aggregated digital services and financial solutions. "In today's scenario of intense and constant transformations, innovation is essential in order to maintain and grow in the market," says Antonio Carlos Freixo Junior, Mineiro, CEO of Grupo Entre.

Investing in new technologies can bring operational benefits, improve the customer experience and help with decision-making. There are various solutions available on the market that can help boost sales and win more customers:

1) Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) - These technologies are being used to predict demand, optimize stocks, personalize offers and improve the customer experience.

2. Digital menus and online ordering - Automation allows customers to order directly from their mobile devices, reducing errors and speeding up the process.

3. Automated stock management - Automated systems monitor stock in real time, preventing waste and ensuring that ingredients are always available.

4. Contactless payments - Automation facilitates fast and secure payments, whether through apps or QR codes.

5. Marketing automation - Autom ated tools help segment customers, send personalized promotions and keep customers engaged.

6. Data analysis - Automated data collection and analysis allows restaurants to make more assertive decisions about prices, menus and marketing strategies.

7. Robots and automation in the kitchen - From food preparation robots to automated cleaning systems, the kitchen is also benefiting from automation.

Linked Tech, for example, has as one of its main products subscription-based software for the operation and management of restaurants and establishments of all types and sizes, from pizzerias and franchise stores to hot dog stands.

Its scalable business model allows it to remotely serve establishments all over the country, of different sizes, with different needs in terms of the complexity of the operation. The platform includes operations such as counter service, tables, commands and delivery, with integration with various complementary service applications, such as delivery apps.

_{Photo by Jay Wennington on Unsplash}