Weekly Roundup: Restaurants, Hotels Need Digital Technology During Labor Shortages
Here’s your weekly roundup of tech related news pulled from various restaurant industry sites around the web for August 2-8, 2021.
Technology Supports Quick-Service Restaurants
Consumer demand is growing for quick service restaurants to add digital experiences with a labor shortage. In April it was reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics that 2.8 million hospitality jobs were lost because of the pandemic.
According to QSR Magazine, these labor challenges, matched with consumer preferences for touchless technology, show just how important it is for restaurants to digitally transform to meet both business needs and those of consumers and employees.
Gartner predicts that by 2024, 80 percent of ordering, checkout, and payment services will be contactless. In the quick service restaurant industry, businesses must act quickly to prioritize the health of their bottom line. Much of that reprioritization can be done with contactless technology. You can read more here.
Communication Technology Helping Hoteliers Survive
According to Hotel Technology News, as leisure travel begins to return and hotel occupancy increases, operators will be challenged to provide a high level of service to every guest on a limited staff. Hotels are not alone in seeking out new hires, as retail, restaurants, delivery services, and more are all bringing their workforces back at the same time.
According to Edward Gallier, head of Learning & Development at Jurys Inn & Leonardo Hotels UK & Ireland, a number of prior hotel employees were forced to find new positions during the pandemic. A significant portion of them are either not returning to hospitality or are actively considering new sectors.
Finding digital technology and communications are important factors in seeking and onboarding new employees. You can read more here.
Restaurants are Being Saved by Tech
As we are starting to return to normal in our lives, restaurants are fighting through a labor shortage and relying more and more on digital automation. The hospitality industry is putting a greater reliance on cutting expenses, maximizing employee production, and retaining customers.
As Total Food Service points out, restaurant automation is happening with point-of-sale integrations, apps that enable remote management and bespoke beverage delivery services, among other innovations in the food-tech space. And savvy startups that cater to these market niches are already ahead of the curve. You can read more here.
