Technology and Restaurants: What You Need to Know

Technology is an important aspect of a restaurant business because it powers cooking equipment, storage products, transaction devices, and more. If you need information about the most practical options for a casual or upscale business, this guide can help.

Touchscreen Terminal

A touchscreen terminal is found on restaurant POS systems, and convenient software powers the main interface. By tapping icons and buttons on the screen, you can take orders fairly quickly since prices and menu items can be programmed and configured using custom setup tools.

These point of sale terminals are highly beneficial because they speed up transaction times, which is vital in the foodservice industry. If you want to move food to tables faster, invest in a  restaurant POS system that has a card reader. This accessory will give you the ability to accept credit cards. After a card is swiped, a customer can complete a transaction by signing an area on the touchscreen.

Receipt Printer

Although paperless options help the environment, many people still want receipts because they play a key role during tax season. In the business world, a manager has the following receipt printer options:

• Impact: An impact printer is a great option for a busy kitchen since it produces a loud noise throughout the printing process. If cooks are focused on cooking as orders roll in, the sound of the printer will alert them so that they can begin prepping more dishes.

• Thermal: Thermal printing devices are much quieter and are ideal products for cashiers. They perform well in the front of the house because the printing process happens fast. If these printers print hundreds of receipts, you won’t have to spend a lot of money on replacement ink cartridges since the hardware doesn’t use ink. They use advanced technology to create receipts by generating thermal heat.

Cash Drawer

Cash drawers have been used in business environments for over many decades, so the technology hasn’t changed in a dramatic way. However, the hardware was updated to make it compatible with the latest technologies. For example, cash drawers for POS systems can be synced so that they will track every transaction.

When shopping for a cash drawer, pick a unit that has a lock. After the POS system is powered down, you should always lock the locking mechanism. If your restaurant generates a lot of cash throughout the day, empty the unit regularly; this strategy will boost security and provide peace of mind.

Advanced Kiosks

In a dining spot that has quick-service options, there are many kiosks scattered around the environment. These kiosks are unique because they’re loaded with self-order software. If your business doesn’t get consistent sales, you may want to consider investing in self-order kiosks as they’re great upselling tools. The upselling happens after customer’s place orders; they can choose to buy more products shortly before the transaction is complete.

Another benefit is that these kiosks shorten long lines. When lines are lengthy, some people may exit a restaurant in order to get faster service elsewhere. By installing self-order kiosks, you’ll avoid losing sales and repeat customers.