Prerna MishraLast Updated on by My Rasoi
The use of Technology in HORECA has boosted sales of several firms. People are not only admiring it but also finding it way more convenient. Your restaurant is the heartbeat of your business. You know that the food you serve is the most important part of the experience your customers have when they visit.
But the food isn’t the only thing that makes a great restaurant experience. The atmosphere, the service, and the technology used to run the restaurant all contribute to the overall experience. Let us discuss the influence of technology in HORECA boosting restaurant sales, in this blog.
What is HORECA?
Horeca refers to the, which includes Hotels, restaurants, and cafes. The sector refers to as the ‘food service’ industry, as it serves an important role in society by providing affordable food and drink to the general public. It is a significant employer, accounting for 10% of total employment in the Netherlands. The sector is also an important contributor to the Dutch economy, accounting for 1.8% of GDP.
Horeca is a sector that is seeing a lot of changes in the way people dine out. Customers now look for new experiences that are tailored to their needs and want. This is driving the demand for digital ordering and payment systems. In order to meet these changing customer expectations, it is essential that the HORECA industry focuses on the importance of a digital footprint.
Power of Technology in HORECA
Since the time of covid-19 crisis restaurant have switch to other alternative of dining. Though online delivery was prevalent before pandemic time, but during the covid-19 crisis it became the major cord of business.
With the rise of delivery companies like Deliveroo and Uber Eats, consumers have changing needs, which can represent a big part of business income for some chains. Due to the convenience and speed of such platforms, more and more people decide to order food through them, especially during the COVID-19 crisis. Due to this, this industry is experiencing even more rapid change.
Installing digital kiosks is another improvisation in Technology in HORECA industry. With the help of a screen and a payment terminal, people can order goods or services. An attractive visual representation of the food is provided here. The customer also has the opportunity to think about the food. This makes the kiosk a useful marketing tool.
There is no doubt that social media has been a major driver of change in this industry. Instagram photos set the trend for aesthetic photos. In addition to sharing information, restaurants started posting menus and attractive photographs of their food on social media. In any industry, but particularly in hospitality, this is an extremely powerful marketing tool.
Importance of digital footprint in restaurants
The digital footprint refers to the online presence of a business, which can be measured in a number of ways. The most obvious indicator of a digital footprint is the amount of online content that is produced by a business. This could include a number of things, such as social media posts, blog posts, online menus, and online ordering systems. Another important indicator of a digital footprint is the presence of a digital payment system.
A strong digital footprint not only provides the necessary information for customers to make an informed decision about where to dine, it also provides the horeca industry with the opportunity to interact with their customers in a more personal way.
How can technology help grow your business?
As a restaurant business owner, one of your biggest challenges is finding ways to keep your restaurant startup profitable while also growing your brand. Fortunately, today’s technology in HORECA has made it easier than ever to grow your business—without increasing your headcount or adding more infrastructure. With the right tools and strategies, you can automate processes that used to require manpower, connect with new customers on their preferred platform, and grow your revenue without adding employees. This allows you to increase your output and provide the same level of service as larger companies, without the higher costs or complexity.
Technology in HORECA has helped restaurants boost sales in a variety of ways. For starters, having a website has allowed restaurants to better showcase their menus, so customers can get a better idea of the food they serve. This has led to increased sales, as more people are aware of a restaurant’s offerings and are more likely to visit. Some restaurants have also used digital footprint to improve their online ordering experience, which has led to even more sales.
Drawbacks of using Technology in HORECA
New technology in the HORECA industry has helped people in providing convenience but it also has drawbacks. Below mentioned are some drawbacks which can come up with people using technology for the first time.
1. Unfamiliar with Technology in Horeca
The use of digital kiosks for online payment may not be convenient for people using it for the first time. So it may be uncomfortable for them to adjust with this technology. This creates frustration among the customers as they are used to the traditional way of ordering.
So there should be people who can continuously take care of how people can easily use the technology.
2. Popping of complex problems
In some cases while using technology people cannot remove an item from their order. So this points out that there is a very limited option available in the automated restaurants. This may lead to reduced customer satisfaction. In contrast, the traditional customer service has waiters who communicate in the kitchen for the removal of any item.
3. Technological glitch
Totally depending on the technology for customer service is also a drawback. There are times when Technology can fail and that will directly impact the customer. Therefore having stuff alongside Technology it’s helpful in these times. In case of any technological glitch the staff can help customers to solve the issue. This also retains the customer relationships better.
Case study of KFC India
Through Facebook video ads, the fast food company highlighted its special offers. Also, encouraged people to visit its restaurants across India, resulting in over 57,000 customers visiting. Checkout this blog related to how promotional campaigns help boost sales.
KFC India aimed to boost sales by increasing visitation to its stores across the country. Furthermore, it aimed to establish itself as a brand with value for money in the minds of consumers.
There were two Facebook campaigns run by KFC India to introduce various sales offers. These included the Wednesday Offer campaign and the Big Bucket campaign.
Store visits were also used as a campaign objective, targeting people with a greater likelihood of visiting a KFC outlet. Location-based targeting was used in both campaigns to reach people within two miles of a KFC store.
In February 2019–March 2020, KFC’s two Big Bucket Offer campaigns achieved the following results:
- More than 57,000 visits to stores (during Wednesday Offer and Big Bucket campaigns)
- Total reach of 120 million
- Wednesday Offer’s return on ad spend is 89% higher than last year’s.
- Return on ad spend from Big Bucket Offer increased by 37% compared to last week
- An increase of 20% in Big Bucket purchases during the campaign period
How can My Rasoi help?
Now it is understood by us that the digital transformation has helped people and restaurants mutually. My Rasoi helps to upgrade the restaurants with Free QR Code Based Digital Menu and Restaurant Management System.
Your restaurant can be online within 15 seconds with My Rasoi. Share your menu with your customers now. In just a few clicks, you can get your business online and enjoy 24×7 support from our team for free.