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Industry insiders predict top tech restaurant trends of 2019
FastCasual interviewed executives from a variety of tech vendors to reveal some of 2019's most promising tech trends. Part 1 of this series features executives from Paytronix and CoInspect.
January 1, 2019 by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com
Robots, artificial intelligence and virtual reality have been industry buzzwords for the past few years, but as we enter 2019, FastCasual wanted to hear from a variety of tech gurus about what exactly is in store when it comes to restaurants embracing technology. We tapped executives from a variety of tech vendors for their predictions.
Part 1 of this series features executives from Paytronix and CoInspect.
Aaron Cohen, co-founderandVP of Business Development,CoInspect
CoInspect’s Aaron Cohen predicted that removing humans from safety management and replacing them with technological solutions, such as robots and sensors is coming this year. He said other tech tools, including artificial intelligence, data analytics and the Internet of Things will have positive implications for supply chain management and food safety. They included:
Robots. Restaurants are using robots to cook and plate food, ensuring consistency and elevating food safety protocols. Automation means tools will never touch both raw and cooked hamburgers. Less bare hand contact results in less contamination. Robots are programmed to execute tasks the same way every time, while humans are often inconsistent. Food producers are also investing in robotics: CMC Food, a N.J.-based egg producer, built an automated production facility, replacing human egg handlers with two robots that can manage more than 100,000 eggs per hour. Today, nine out of 10 food processing and packaging companies use robots to improve food safety, decrease worker injuries, and increase efficiency, per a recent study by the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute. As costs for these technologies continue to decrease, more companies will adopt them.
Sensors. Sensors can monitor various elements of food safety, such as ensuring that foods are being held at proper temperatures. Centralized, continuous refrigeration monitoring systems signal when temperatures in coolers or freezers rise above safe holding temperatures, reducing food spoilage and waste due to improperly working units. Cooking equipment with built-in sensors – like innovative meat thermometers that change colors when proteins are cooked to safe temperatures – make it easier and more accurate to ensure foods are being cooked properly and safely.
Smart kitchen equipment. The latest coolers, blast chillers and ovens include wireless systems that track and record temperatures automatically. Virginia Tech utilizes large storage coolers that automatically alert staff if temperatures rise above a certain point, preventing food spoilage and potential foodborne illness outbreaks.
Artificial intelligence. Predictive-AI will be instrumental in analyzing supply chain data and using it to anticipate and identify problems before they cause any harm. Future technologies will be able to identify product irregularities and/or potential security breaches to reduce or eliminate hazards in our foods.
The Internet of Things. IoT-connected sensors transmitting large amounts of data, is revolutionizing the supply chain. Food businesses will be better able to track their products and identify/address any operational issues. The IoT will significantly improve transparency and visibility. Sensors will carefully monitor products throughout the supply chain life cycle to identify and address any possible food safety issues or concerns.
Andrew Robbins, Paytronix, president and co-founder
As a gift and loyalty provider to restaurants around the country, Robbins has tapped into what CMOs are prioritizing in the coming year. He said they include the following:
Frictionless interactions: Customers will continue to demand convenience. That includes getting in and out of the restaurant as quickly as they see fit. One way to achieve this is through mobile payment wallets like Google Pay and Apple Pay. In both situations, the payment is quicker, and the loyalty identifier is passed with a single tap of the phone. Panera Bread has installed Apple Pay with NFC Loyalty in all its locations and more restaurants are following suit. Convenience store chains are seeing the advantage, too. In 2019, we will see an uptick in the adoption rate of these two prolific payment/loyalty mechanisms.
Labor costs: As the cost of labor continues to increase, marketing team size will decrease and that means platforms need to do more for marketers. Paytronix is investing heavily in tools that enable marketers to do more with fewer people and fewer discounts. That means highly targeted, automated programs that leverage machine learning, predictive analytics, and easy-to use interfaces for quick learning and action.
About Cherryh Cansler
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