Technology
Is your restaurant following these smart standards?
Now, more than ever, fast food managers are looking for ways to serve food safely. The good news is that the rapid development of the Internet of Things is making it easier for fast food outlets to achieve these objectives.
December 30, 2020 by Matthew Margetts
Fast food doesn't mean sloppy standards. Although consumer trends change over time and market demands evolve (particularly in the time of a global pandemic), the goal of any fast food operator is to ensure maximum efficiency, maintain good food quality and stay profitable. No matter the type of food being served, food safety and customer service should always be top priorities.
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, food safety measures have become even more important in preventing the spread of the virus. Now, more than ever, fast food managers are looking for ways to serve food safely. The good news is that the rapid development of the Internet of Things is making it easier for fast food outlets to achieve these objectives.
In the fast-food environment, food needs to be moved, cooked and processed quickly and safely. Here are some examples of ways that smart technology is optimizing fast food operations.
- Improved safety
- Food temperature and humidity monitoring
- Real-time temperature tracking sensors through the supply chain allows businesses to closely supervise food safety data points, ensuring effective cold chain management.
Food temperature sensors will help your business follow food safety guidelines with automatic and consistent monitoring of temperatures. Equipment such as refrigerators, ovens and food warming items can be wirelessly connected and provide real-time reporting of temperature, humidity and other data points. If the condition of these items moves out of predefined thresholds, automated alerts can trigger for the temperature to be amended. This allows the equipment to automatically adjust to changing conditions and keep food inventory fresh and safe.
Another benefit here is the ease of reporting—with access to data at your fingertips, you'll be able to access automatically-created temperature logs that are compliant with HACCP guidelines.
Fire suppression
Fast food outlets, suppliers and transporters use high-value, flammable equipment in their daily operations. That's why it's essential to have resilient fire suppression systems in place. Smart fire suppression tags can be wireless installed onto a piece of equipment and detect any rapid rise in temperature. If this occurs, the tag sends out an immediate alert to the relevant parties.
Food supply chain management logistics
Incorporating smart technology into the food supply chain trims down waste, costs, and risks. Access to meaningful and consistent data through the manufacturing, production, and transporting process helps ensure compliance and adherence to food safety regulations.
With the help of radio frequency identification transmitters and GPS systems, the fast-food distribution chain can be effectively monitored from the factory to the hands of the customer. This comprehensive visibility comes with a number of benefits:
- Automation of delivery and shipping processes.
- Effectively cold chain monitoring.
- 24/7 location tracking.
- Superior levels of traceability and accountability from farm to plate.
- Improved inventory management.
- Faster lead times
By analyzing the location data, companies can become better acquainted with the preferences of customers, reply to market requirements with agility and decrease surpluses and waste.
Reduced waste
The UK's fast food industry wastes around £312 million of food per year. This is why reducing food waste is a major concern for any fast food restaurant.
One of the many ways that smart technology helps to decrease wastage is through smart inventory management. IoT-enabled inventory tools can be integrated into existing point-of-sale systems so that outlet managers are able to keep track of inventory levels at all times. Instead of relying on time-consuming (and potentially inaccurate) manual stocktaking, replenishing of replacement orders can be generated automatically whenever an item falls below the minimum level.
Increased efficiency and productivity
Having complete visibility of your fast food business' daily operations allows you to remotely monitor and manage multiple aspects of the business remotely.
For example, an IoT-enabled kitchen allows fast-food business operators to remotely monitor ovens and other cooking equipment for optimal cooking efficiency and consistent product quality.
Predictive and preventative maintenance
Maintenance of equipment in the fast-food industry is often done reactively or at set intervals, but not predictively. Smart sensors can be attached to key equipment to troubleshoot existing problems, anticipate potential equipment failures and alert teams of required maintenance actions. Addressing issues before they become a problem reduces the instances of reactive maintenance and lengthens the lifespan of equipment, saving both time and money.
With real-time data enabled by the IoT, the fast-food industry is better equipped to maintain the highest quality standards and consistency while keeping customers satisfied, safe and ensure great productivity, agility and profitability.
About Matthew Margetts
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