Top Innovative Technology Trends to Watch in Food Industry 2022

by Sophia Mills Mobile app development

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted businesses of nearly every size in the food industry. The global food system has been tested unlike any time prior as both businesses and consumers faced the realities of its inherently complex and intricate nature.

This level of disruption wasn’t unique to consumer purchasing behavior alone. Businesses in the food space felt powerful of wildly fluctuating supply and demand, reduced labor availability, and myriad food safety and security challenges.

As a result, several businesses resorted to technology, unwillingly adapting to a new reality. A Myriad of technology trends witnessed bringing the food industry to the forefront. Therefore, to stay current and even ahead of the competition in 2022, as a business owner, know about the latest trends in a post. The below post brings you everything to get started.

Restaurant Technology Trends to Watch in 2022

1. Delivery applications and online ordering systems

With customers facing imposed restrictions and convenience at peak. Online food ordering has come to the rescue. Such systems let users enjoy their favorite cuisine anytime without much fuss. Since users prefer to order directly from restaurants, restaurants need to follow the trend of major fast-food chains in building their integrated web platforms and apps. This digital intimacy allows restaurants to maintain a tight relationship with their consumers despite the distance. And businesses who are far from providing the same, third-party Food Delivery App development Service such as UberEats, Foodpanda, or DoorDash are the ultimate options. Such platforms have brought together the systems and functionalities to render online food deliveries hassle-free.

2. Contactless Payment

Contactless technology is becoming more common, and it's not just for placing an order online anymore; it's also for paying using a smartphone, wristwatch, or smartcard via an app or touchless device. New payment systems have been steadily gaining traction in the worldwide restaurant business. Contactless payments are expected to increase hassle-free online food deliveries from $2 trillion to $6 trillion by 2024, and having such choices is crucial to 34% of customers. There is no need for human touch because there is no currency - it's more hygienic and safer – and it's quick, instant, and accessible. It's also more cost-effective in terms of cash flow. Restaurants that haven't yet invested in and planned for mobile and digital payment strategy should do so in the coming year if they don't want to lag.

3. Online Reservation System

Calling a restaurant to reserve a table is becoming obsolete as online table reservation technology gains traction. Customers can check available slots and make their reservations. They can go with apps like Eat App, Table, and OpenTable. Restaurants can manage seats, waitlists, customer loyalty, and dining preferences and collect crucial client data for contact tracing and market insights, employing technology-enabled reservation systems.

The concept has even been expanded upon. OpenTable's Experiences project allows establishments to promote unique culinary events and dining experiences in addition to regular bookings. Users can schedule their next exceptional dining experience quickly, directly, and according to what tickles their taste buds.

4. Digital Kitchen Boards

There's no longer any need to grab a pen and paper, fret about smeared printed tickets, or go back and forth between the kitchen and front-of-house. Kitchen Display Systems (KDS) is a computerized menu board that helps restaurants streamline their back-of-house operations. The screen directly linked to the restaurant's point-of-sale (POS) system automatically prioritizes orders and flags any specific dietary needs. This technological solution offers better communication, accuracy, more explicit workflows, and a more sustainable kitchen operation by tracking meal delivery timings and monitoring inventory to alert when a product is out of stock.

5. Automated Inventory management software

Tracking food and beverage supplies, forecasting quantities, and arranging reorders are no longer time-consuming, laborious processes. When you automate your inventory management, you cut down on food waste. Inventory management software lets restaurants track the stock they need. They never allow customers to face any shortage or excessiveness within the restaurants. Moreover, the inventory management software saves time and money for restaurant businesses.

6. QR (Quick Response) codes

QR codes, which are already common in mobile-first nations like China, are now being seen in eateries worldwide. Auto-scanning barcodes with smartphone cameras on posters, tables, coasters, doors, or websites in this 'no-touch' era allows customers to view online menus, order, and pay – all without making physical contact, keeping diners and employees safe. This technology, which does not require the installation of an app, has also been critical in assisting restaurants with contact tracing, which is now required in many parts of the world for them to reopen during the pandemic. QR code technology is a must in 2021 and is still a must in 2022, offering several simple benefits at relatively modest prices for eateries.

7. Air purificaPurificationogy

The restaurant sector is increasingly focusing on improving sanitization systems using various air purification technologies to promote "clean air."It will be vital to make diners feel safe and comfortable at restaurants.

Bipolar ionization, a non-harmful to humans technique that filters the air and surfaces in indoor spaces by neutralizing impurities, is already demonstrating encouraging results and finding a market. Systems that utilize ultraviolet light, which is effective for air and surface sanitization, are also included.

While these ideas and solutions aren't yet ubiquitous, they're quickly becoming the most potent, hassle-free online food deliveries restaurant technology in a virus-averse world.

Restaurant Industry Is Witnessing The Pace of Digitization: A Quick Overview

There is a silver lining to every cloud. The COVID-19 outbreak may have disrupted business as usual in the restaurant industry and caused extreme changes. Still, it has also roused many F&B professionals to an opportunity to accelerate tech trends, quicken change, and re-imagine businesses.

Restaurants may use technology to differentiate themselves and owners can use it to run their operations more efficiently. As a result, more time and energy can be spent delighting guests with exquisite food and new memorable dining experiences, whether on-site or off. Isn't this a win-win situation?

Emergent Tech Impacting the Supply Chain

Direct to Consumer
SaaS
Machine Intelligence
IoT
Engineered Food
Blockchain

Ready to dominate the food and beverage industry?

It is needless to say that technology plays an important vital role in boosting the restaurant industry’s success rate. All the above trends are blooming, and adaptation brings industry to the forefront.

Hope with this blog post you got a clear overview about the lurking technology and ready to enjoy them. So, what are you waiting for? Get started making the most of the technology in bringing success for your businesses.