News

NRA: Restaurateurs want technology without headaches

August 3, 2016

Only 12 percent of restaurant operators consider  themselves to be cutting-edge in implementing technology, according to a recent study conducted by the National Restaurant Association and sponsored by American Express.

“Research demonstrates the integral role technology can play in helping restaurants enhance the customer experience, increase efficiencies and drive their businesses forward," said Danielle Wallis, vice president of Merchant Services-U.S. Industry Development, American Express

Findings showed that limited-service restaurants ranked high in use of customer-facing technologies, such as online ordering, mobile apps and mobile payment.

Although operation interest is apparent, finding technology that is user-friendly is key. The survey reported that 37 percent of restaurants offer online ordering, 32 percent of restaurants accept mobile payment, and 32 percent of operators consider their operations to be lagging when it comes to technology use.

"Operators say that costs in various forms remain the primary barrier to implementing more technology in their operations. Cost-effective solutions and strong arguments for ROI are going to make all the difference going forward,” said Annika Stensson, director of Research Communications for the National Restaurant Association

The survey polled 500 restaurant operators.