Key Benefits and Tools for Restaurant Workflow Automation

The restaurant industry is constantly evolving, so restaurants need to be able to adapt quickly. One way to do this is by automating workflows. Workflow automation can help restaurants streamline their operations and improve efficiency, which can lead to increased profits.

What is workflow automation?

Workflow automation is the use of software to automate repetitive tasks and processes. This can free up employees to focus on more important tasks, improve accuracy and efficiency, and reduce costs.

Benefits of restaurant workflow automation

There are many benefits to restaurant workflow automation. Some of the key benefits include:

Increased efficiency: Automation can help to streamline processes and eliminate manual tasks, which can free up employees’ time and help them focus on more important tasks. This can lead to a significant improvement in efficiency. For example, a restaurant that uses a POS system can automatically track inventory levels and generate reports on sales trends. This information can then be used to make better decisions about ordering, pricing, and marketing.
Improved accuracy: Automation can reduce errors by eliminating human intervention. This is especially important in tasks that require a high degree of accuracy, such as inventory management and order processing. For example, a restaurant that uses a KDS system can ensure that orders are sent to the kitchen accurately and in a timely manner. This can help to reduce food waste and improve customer satisfaction.
Reduced costs: Restaurants incur significant costs on manual labor, and automation can help alleviate that. This can be a significant savings, especially for restaurants with a high volume of transactions. For example, a restaurant that uses an online ordering system can reduce the number of employees needed to answer phones and take orders. This can free up those employees to focus on other tasks, such as preparing food and serving customers.
Improved customer service: Automation can help to improve customer service by streamlining the ordering process and providing faster service. This can lead to happier customers and increased sales. For example, a restaurant that uses self-ordering kiosks can allow customers to place orders and make payment without standing in lines or waiting for service staff. This can save customers time and hassle and increase customer satisfaction and retention.

Tools for restaurant workflow automation

Point of sale (POS) systems: POS systems are essential for any restaurant that wants to automate their operations. POS systems can help to track inventory, process orders, and manage payments. Some popular POS systems include Toast, Square, Lightspeed, and Clover.
Kitchen display systems (KDS): KDS systems are used to communicate orders from the front-of-house to the kitchen. This can help to improve communication and coordination between the two teams, which can lead to faster order fulfillment. Some popular KDS systems include Orderbird, Toast, and Square.
Online ordering systems: Online ordering systems allow customers to place orders online, which can help to reduce wait times and improve customer satisfaction. Some popular online ordering systems include Grubhub, DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Postmates.
Learning management solutions (LMS): Learning management solutions can be used to automate the employee training process, which can be costly and time-consuming with traditional training methods, especially for multi-units and franchises. LMS can help to ensure that all employees are properly trained and up-to-date on the latest procedures. A popular learning management solution for restaurants is spoon.tech, which leverages AI for restaurants to easily create engaging and interactive gamified training programs from pre-existing documents, and monitor progresses of employees.
Inventory management systems: Inventory management systems can help restaurants to track inventory levels, order supplies, and prevent stockouts. This can help to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Some popular inventory management systems for restaurants include Crunchtime, MarketMan, Lightspeed and Toast.
Self-ordering kiosks: Self-ordering kiosks allow customers to place orders and pay for their food without having to interact with a human cashier. These kiosks can help reduce wait times and improve customer satisfaction. Some popular self-ordering kiosk providers for restaurants include Lightspeed, Presto, Toast and TouchBistro.
Scheduling and staffing tools: Scheduling and staffing tools can help restaurants to optimize their staffing levels and ensure that they have the right people working at the right times. This can help to improve efficiency and reduce labor costs. Some popular scheduling and staffing tools for restaurants include 7Shifts, When I Work, and Deputy.
Reservation systems: Reservation systems can help restaurants to manage reservations and track customer preferences. This can help to improve customer experience and prevent overbooking. Some popular reservation systems for restaurants include OpenTable, Resy, and Yelp Reservations.

These are just a few of the many tools that can be used for restaurant workflow automation. The best tool for a particular restaurant will depend on the specific needs of the business. However, all of the tools mentioned above can help restaurants to improve efficiency, accuracy, and customer service.

How to implement workflow automation in a restaurant

The implementation of workflow automation in a restaurant can be a complex process. However, there are a number of steps that restaurants can take to make the process easier. These steps include:

Identify the tasks that can be automated: The first step is to identify the tasks that can be automated in a restaurant. This includes tasks such as inventory management, order processing, and customer service.
Choose the right tools: Once the tasks have been identified, the next step is to choose the right tools to automate them. There are a number of different tools available, so it is important to choose the ones that are the best fit for the specific needs of the restaurant.
Integrate the tools and train employees: Once the tools have been chosen, the next step is to implement them. This includes training employees on how to use the tools and integrating them into the restaurant's existing systems.

In conclusion, workflow automation can be a valuable tool for restaurants of all sizes. Workflow automation can be a complex process, but it can be worth the effort. By automating repetitive tasks and processes, restaurants can improve efficiency, accuracy, and customer service. This can lead to increased sales and profits, as well as a better overall experience for customers. There are a number of tools available that can be used for restaurant workflow automation, so it is important to choose the ones that are the best fit for the specific needs of the business.

If you are considering implementing workflow automation in your restaurant, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Start small and scale up as needed.
Get buy-in from your employees.
Be patient.

If you found this blog helpful and want to streamline the employee training process for your restaurant, spoon.tech can help. Get in touch with us by filling out this contact form. Alternatively, you can call us via phone at (+43 670 655 56 82) Or email us at hello@spoon.tech.