Restaurants, Mobile Technology and the Future

July 12, 2017

Technology and in particular, mobile technology, is the future. It has encompassed every aspect of our lives and is further integrating into everything we do. But, as a reader of this blog, you already knew that! So why are we talking about this? Because my friends, the future is here.

Let’s talk about what Amazon is doing. Over the past year or so, Amazon has been opening small grocery stores called Amazon Go. If you are unfamiliar with Amazon Go and their plans for world domination, here is a small excerpt from their site:

What is Amazon Go?

Amazon Go is a new kind of store with no checkout required. We created the world’s most advanced shopping technology so you never have to wait in line. With our Just Walk Out Shopping experience, simply use the Amazon Go app to enter the store, take the products you want, and go! No lines, no checkout. (No, seriously.)

How does Amazon Go work?

Our checkout-free shopping experience is made possible by the same types of technologies used in self-driving cars: computer vision, sensor fusion, and deep learning. Our Just Walk Out Technology automatically detects when products are taken from or returned to the shelves and keeps track of them in a virtual cart. When you’re done shopping, you can just leave the store. Shortly after, we’ll charge your Amazon account and send you a receipt.

In addition to the above description, here is a video:

Pretty amazing, right?

And with the recent purchase of Whole Foods, Amazon will be rolling out this experience in a BIG way.

So how does this relate to you and your restaurant?

Expectations.

The restaurant industry is known to be slow-adopters of new technology, but that does not mean you have to be. Mobile ordering, payment, curbside pick-up or delivery-by-drone are things that are happening NOW. Do not get left behind in the race to keep up with your customers’ expectations. We guarantee that if you won’t do it, someone else will, and that is a competitive advantage battle most independent restaurants cannot afford to lose.

We are not saying go out and invest in every single new piece of technology or new fad. No. The message we are trying to convey is: keep up with your customers. Match the experiences they have everyday in terms of convenience and technology. If you have their interests and an improved experience at the forefront of what you do, your customers will keep coming back and love you forever. And that means a strong and consistent ROI.

Need to pass the time between our next post? Then check out Custom Business Solutions for all your restaurant technology needs!