Digital solutions are the keys to success in the restaurant industry. Are you trying to assist in staff development? Or, is your business experiencing negative impacts from the recent labor shortage? If these kinds of situations apply to you and your eatery, labor saving devices and software will come in handy. 

To achieve efficient workforce management processes and steady restaurant success, labor solutions are a must. In this blog, we’ll discuss how they’ll make your busy life so much easier, several tried and true options, and where you can find them!

Digital Solutions: How They Make Lives Easier

Digital solutions will be some of the greatest investments your business can ever make. The sole purpose of digital solutions is to make your life easier. By putting routine tasks on autopilot and consolidating information, it becomes simpler than ever to manage busy entities. 

Within the food service industry, there are many busy roles. Whether hosts are trying to coordinate restaurant seating arrangements or the sous chef is juggling multiple orders, it can all get a bit chaotic. But with the right systems in place, it can help you avoid work overload and high-stress situations. Now that you know that they’ll be ideal for your business, let’s discuss some options in more detail.

8 Digital Solutions That Can Reduce the Labor Cost

Reducing the cost of labor in restaurants has never been easier. Ranging from physical devices to cloud technology, you have several options to review. Below, you’ll find details about eight innovative digital solutions. Read on:

1. All-Inclusive POS System

The right restaurant POS platform can automate many standard processes. So much so, that it reduces the workload for the staff. For example, a cloud based POS system keeps all information in one place, and keeps it accessible to everyone in the business. With this ability, operations can be quicker and more efficient. 

There are also app integrations and cloud computing functions for everything. Maybe you need a better system in place for tracking restaurant inventory. Or, perhaps you would like to simplify the restaurant loyalty program for a fast checkout process. With the right POS system, you can do it all, in record time and with a fraction of the labor you would need otherwise.

2. Online Ordering Apps

Delivery apps reduce the cost of labor, as they also reduce the amount of people who dine in your brick and mortar restaurant. When consumers have the luxury and convenience of ordering food from the comfort of their own home, it quickly becomes the go-to option. 

As more and more people choose to order food online, the physical location of your restaurant might get much less busy. If this is the case, you can employ fewer staff members. In turn, you’ll be able to save money while boosting cash flow. 

Third-party delivery apps are often the side that employs drivers. So even though an online ordering package might seem like a big investment, you’ll be cutting back on a lot of employee-centric expenses. And in being available on apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats, you also expand your overall reach, maximizing profits even further. 

3. Self Ordering Kiosks 

Considering that “self” is in the name of this digital solution, it’s obvious that it wouldn’t raise the cost of labor. Kiosks are some of many digital solutions that can cause this expense to drop. They deliver the most value in fast casual eateries, where customers order food to pick up at a counter–regardless of whether there’s seating. 

Entities like fast food chains, gas stations, and cafeterias are home to food and beverage kiosks. Instead of employing staff members to take orders, it can take place through a digital system. Not only does it help speed up turnaround times, but it helps produce more accurate orders. 

After making a purchase on a kiosk, the kitchen staff with have it immediately. From there, there can reference it and review it for any adjustments. The best part? You’ll only need to employ the team that prepares the food. So, kiosks are an immediate solution for a constant expense.

4. Tabletop Devices 

Tabletop devices in restaurants can significantly reduce the labor cost. In fact, some people fear that these digital Solutions will eventually replace waiters and waitresses entirely. However, this is not the case, as you will still need people to deliver drinks and dishes.

But with these devices can do, is reducing the amount of labor required from each employee. Consequently, each restaurant will be able to handle the same operations but with a smaller team. Since wages and benefits are some of the largest expenses for any business, investing in such devices can drop costs by a long shot.

From browsing the menus to paying the bill, there are many tasks that in a normal setting, require a server. But with tabletop devices, guests can handle such tasks on their own. Since they will be doing so at their own pace, these digital solutions might also boost the table turnover rate, too. In turn, this will allow for more tables to be served, and therefore, higher profits.

5. Restaurant HR Software

One of the simplest tasks HR software can complete is scheduling shifts. This feature allows you to significantly reduce the labor cost, as it prevents you from assigning shifts during slow periods. Instead of evenly distributing your staff over a calendar, pick and choose who works when based on sales data. 

There are likely times when the eatery is busier than usual. So, why not have more people working during these shifts, than dispersing them across times that don’t require as much attention. Time will fly for employees, and the customer service will be much better.

6. QR Code Menus

QR codes function similar to tabletop devices, except their much simpler and less expensive. By combining of a user-friendly app and a code, customers instantly have access to many features, like viewing the menus and placing orders. Again, since this is one of the digital solutions that lets people handle processes on their own, fewer staff members are required to be present. In turn, it helps cut the labor cost. 

Want to create a custom QR code sooner than later? Book a demo with SproutQR today! It’s super easy and will give your restaurant an extra touch of innovation.

7. Pre-Order Menu Functions 

Mobile food ordering apps are instantaneous. Let’s face it–that’s one of the main reasons why people use them so often. After all, what’s better than having access to delivery or takeout whenever the restaurant is open?

Though this might be the case most of the time, many consumers will want to pre-order their meals in advance. No matter the reason, this allows the restaurant staff to multitask. By having orders to prepare ahead of time, they can delegate different tasks accordingly. 

This is a proven way to optimize your staff and make the most of your time and resources. In turn, it can reduce the overall labor expense. 

8. Marketing Automation Software 

Restaurant marketing efforts can take up the bulk of your time. After reaping the benefits of restaurant marketing done right, you might assume it’s in your best interest to hire a marketing professional. Though this might be a good idea in the end, this position can cause your labor cost to skyrocket. 

In the United States, the average salary of a Marketing Specialist is $58,000. For a Social Media Manager, the average salary is $57,000. Just stating the obvious, this role can bump up your monthly labor cost by thousands of dollars. 

So what can you do instead? Well, we recommend investing in automated marketing tools. Things like scheduling software and reporting tools can do the bulk of the work for you. Plus, these are options that let you do work in batches, so that you can temporarily forget about the nitty-gritty labor. 

Where You Can Find Digital Solutions for Your Restaurant 

Hospitality software companies offer one-off products and packages of digital solutions. Depending on what you wish to accomplish in your business, sales may look a bit different from one client to the next. Since SaaS products are flexible, such companies can work with you to deliver exactly what you need to scale your restaurant.  

At Revolution Ordering, you can quickly begin utilizing an advanced suite of off-premise solutions. Maybe you want to streamline operations for your staff when it comes to delivery and takeout. Or, perhaps you want to maximize your reach to achieve maximum profits. No matter what your goals are, our tools can swiftly steer you toward success. 

Getting in touch with us is easy, too. Schedule a demo today, and a member of our team will be in touch, ready to help elevate your business!

Frequently Asked Questions About Digital Solutions

Digital solutions can consist of so many products and services. Plus, what works for one company may not work well for another. With this in mind, it’s vital that you understand which areas of your business can use some extra help. On that same note, it’s just as important to have goals and expectations as to how you want these digital solutions to impact your business. 

To help you in your search, we’re about to cover some frequently asked questions about the topic. See below for the details:

What Are the Best Digital Solutions?

The best digital solutions of all time include the following tech options:

• Computers 
• Phones 
• Mobile applications 
• Wireless systems 
• Cloud-based solutions

What Does a Digital Solutions Team Do?

A digital solutions team is responsible for helping clients resolve technical issues. Let’s say a software company offers digital solutions to its customers. This team would consist of the people who would be readily available to assist in the event that there are any issues. Always remember that employing such a team is essential to great customer service.

What Are Three Examples of Digtital Solutions?

Three examples of digital solutions are:

1. Mobile delivery apps
2. Self-serving kiosks 
3. Digital QR code menus

What Are Five Examples of Digital Technology?

Five examples of digital technology include:

1. Mobile devices, like phones and tablets
2. Cloud-based POS systems 
3. Marketing automation tools
4. Food and drink ordering apps
5. Third-part app integrations 

What Is the Best Example of a Digital System?

The best example of a digital system is the personal computer. For the last few decades, computers have been essential for everyday life. From giving people the ability to communicate with one another to conducting extensive research, computers are vital. In fact, they have contributed to the digital age more than anything else. 

Digital Solutions for Every Need 

Digital solutions have so many valuable purposes. Some businesses opt to use them in order to streamline operations. On the other hand, many business owners will invest in digital Solutions to reduce labor and related expenses over time. Regardless of which ones you choose, just ensure that the solutions are tailored to your brand and its specific needs.