From Bytes to Bites: How Restaurant Technology Elevates Dining Experiences
It comes as no surprise that there are numerous technologies that can help restaurants improve efficiency, communication, and customer service. From the game-changing impact of OpenTable and Toast POS and KDS to the creative possibilities of Glowforge, the right tech can work wonders for improving operations and making guests happier.
In this blog post, we’ll share examples of how RMD Group has used technology to improve our own restaurants, and offer tips on how you can choose the right technologies for your business.
Choosing the Right Technology
With so many tech options available, it can be overwhelming to figure out which is the best fit for your business. That’s why it’s a good idea to first carefully evaluate your specific needs.
After all, no technology is a one-size-fits-all solution.
RMD Group partner, Mike Georgopoulos, explains, “You really need to make a weighted list of the features your specific business needs and use it to figure out which technology product gets you closest to what you need.”
When making your list of required features, start by identifying the pain points or challenges that your restaurant is facing. This will help you focus on finding the technology that addresses those specific needs.
This is a good time to get input from key staff members on what pain points need to be addressed and what features would be most beneficial to your operations.
Order those features into a weighted list with the most important features at the top. Keep the list handy as you begin to compare the features of different platforms based on your specific criteria.
During this process, you’ll want to take into consideration each technology’s ease of use, integration with other systems, and reporting capabilities. Other factors such as customer base, developer availability, and online resources and support will also make a difference.
Table Management Software: OpenTable vs Competitors
When RMD was considering Table Management Software options, we used the same method as described above. We came up with a weighted list of features then drew up a comparison of features between our two leading options, Open Table and Seven Rooms.
| Feature | OpenTable | Seven Rooms |
| Centralized restaurant group management | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Comprehensive guest profiles | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| POS integration | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| The largest diner network | ✔️ | ✖️ |
Ultimately, we opted for Opentable. While both platforms satisfied most of our needs, we decided that the large customer base that OpenTable offers was important to our business goals.
Pablo Aguilar, RMD Group Vice President of Financial & Systems Operations, says, “OpenTable’s large diner network allows us to get in front of a broader audience that might not be looking for our restaurants in particular, which means we’re not only able to enhance the experience of our existing regulars, but we’re also actively adding new customers to that list of regulars.”
The Impact of POS Technology on Operations and Guest Experience
Needless to say, technology has had a significant impact on the operations and guest experience of the RMD Group restaurants. In fact, it’s become more of a necessity for success than an option.
Another technology that has made an impact on our operations is the Point of Sale (POS) system. We use Toast as our POS since it checks a lot of boxes when it comes to the features our group needs. Primarily it’s ease of use, mobility, KDS, and loyalty program.
Ease of Use
POS systems can be complex, so it’s important to choose one that is easy to use for your staff.
“The decision to adopt Toast stemmed from its ease of use and how that aligns with the technological expectations of our staff. The platform is easy to program and has an intuitive user interface that really helps to simplify our day-to-day operations,” explains Aquilar.
Loyalty Program
We were also looking to implement a customer loyalty program so that we could reward our customers and encourage repeat business.
We needed something that was flexible so that we could offer rewards in various ways, which is why we chose Incentivo. We needed to be plug-and-play with our point of sale so that it would be easy for our customers and employees to use, and save us time and money on implementation.
A Variety of Hardware Options
On the hardware side of the POS, we required handheld devices so that we could improve mobility by taking contactless orders, which was another key factor in the decision to switch to Toast.
We also wanted to incorporate KDS in our kitchens. They allow for better organization and efficiency in our kitchens by providing cooks with real-time information about orders. This helps to reduce errors, improve food quality, and speed up the serving process.
In addition to the operational benefits, KDS also has cost and environmental benefits. By eliminating the need to print paper tickets, we can save money on paper and ink and also help to reduce our environmental impact by reducing paper waste.
Thinking Outside of the Box
While table management systems and point of sale systems are commonly found in restaurants around the world, there are also types of technology that are being adapted for use in the food industry that are a bit less traditional.
For us, that’s a Glowforge.
We originally anticipated using the Glowforge to create custom menus for private events. For example, we recently used Glowforge to create custom menus and charcuterie boards for a private event we hosted. We engraved the hosts’ logo on the menus and added a personal message to the guests from the host, making the event even more personalized and special.
However, we’ve been able to do so much more with it, and we are constantly finding new ways to use it to create unforgettable experiences. We’ve created custom sushi boards with Lumi branding (below), custom signs, table numbers, and centerpieces just to name a few of the ways we’ve found to use the machine.
The Right Technology Can Make Your Restaurant More Efficient, Communicative, and Customer-Centric
By leveraging technology to adapt and improve, we’ve been able to elevate our restaurant experience while staying true to our core values.
If you’re looking to implement new technology at your venue but don’t know where to start, reach out to RMD Group! We can help you choose the right technologies for your business and implement them successfully.