If you want a real challenge, try running a marathon in flip-flops.
Most restaurant operators live by the adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," which often serves them well. Unfortunately, this mindset can also discourage restaurants from adopting innovative technologies that could dramatically improve efficiency, enhance guest experiences, and boost revenues.
Here are three common technologies you still find in restaurants that are overdue for an upgrade.
1. Phone Trees (AKA IVR Systems) Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems, commonly known as phone trees or automated phone menus, have long been the go-to solution for handling incoming restaurant calls. At first glance, IVRs appear efficient—they automatically route callers without staff intervention. But dig deeper, and the cracks quickly appear.
Why IVR Systems Hurt the Guest Experience Today's guests expect immediate, personalized interactions. IVR systems, however, often lead callers through frustrating loops, impersonal interactions, and lengthy hold times. This frustration frequently translates into abandoned calls and lost business, negatively impacting your restaurant's bottom line and reputation.
Furthermore, IVR menus struggle during peak hours, overwhelming the system and compounding guest frustrations. Guests seeking quick answers—such as hours of operation, unique menu offerings, or last-minute reservations—are often left dissatisfied when trapped in automated loops.
The Smarter Alternative: AI-powered Voice Assistants Modern voice AI technologies, such as Slang.ai, provide guests with immediate, human-like interactions regardless of time of day or the number of guests calling simultaneously. AI-driven voice assistants seamlessly handle reservations and common inquiries with 24/7 coverage, preventing missed calls and improving caller satisfaction.
Renowned hospitality brands like Texas de Brazil rely on Slang to automate thousands of calls across locations. Even though AI manages such a high volume of calls, Texas de Brazil witnessed an impressive 96% caller satisfaction score (CSAT). If you’ve ever had to trudge through a long, drawn-out phone menu, you know how unlikely this creates a positive caller touchpoint.
2. Manual Reservation Books There’s absolutely an argument to be made for when paper is just better. This is not one of those cases; digital technology is the way to go.
Handwritten reservation books or Excel spreadsheets might seem straightforward, but they hide significant inefficiencies that quietly drain your business.
The Hidden Costs of Manual Reservations Manual reservation management is prone to human error, resulting in double bookings, missed reservations, and inefficient seating inventory. Let’s not forget that a reservation book can only go so far to surface valuable guest data.
Over time, these small inefficiencies and errors add up to substantial lost revenue and guests wanting better. Additionally, manual systems severely limit your ability to analyze guest patterns or effectively manage your restaurant’s capacity, especially during peak hours.
Digital Reservation Platforms: A Proven Upgrade Transitioning from handwritten reservation books to digital platforms like OpenTable can significantly enhance a restaurant's operations by automating the reservation process with customization options to optimize seating arrangements. Many modern reservation platforms also provide valuable insights into guest preferences and dining patterns, enabling personalized service and targeted marketing efforts.
Suggested Reading: Slang.ai + OpenTable: An Innovative New Integration for Restaurants
By adopting digital reservation systems, restaurants can boost efficiency, guest experience, and revenue. Digital platforms also simplify communication between front-of-house staff and managers, improving real-time decision-making capabilities.
3. Paper-based Staff Scheduling Many restaurants still rely on paper schedules pinned in break rooms or emailed Excel spreadsheets. While seemingly harmless, this method frequently causes headaches for managers and employees alike.
Paper Schedules Create Chaos Manual scheduling is time-consuming and error-prone, often leading to miscommunications, scheduling conflicts, and missed shifts. This, in turn, can aggravate staff frustrations, leading to higher turnover rates and decreased morale.
Paper schedules are also tricky to adjust on the fly, leaving managers scrambling when last-minute changes inevitably occur. This yields operational disruptions and unnecessary stress for the entire team.
Simplifying Staff Scheduling with Digital Solutions Modern digital scheduling platforms like 7shifts or HotSchedules eliminate these problems. These intuitive tools offer things like:
Access on mobile devices Real-time notifications Shift-swapping features Automated compliance tracking Improved employee-manager communication If you’re looking for a way to reduce turnover and prevent scheduling headaches from happening, digital scheduling platforms can help.
When “Good Enough” Holds You Back Sticking with old technology might seem safe, but it's quietly costing your restaurant time, money, and guest satisfaction.
By replacing outdated phone trees, manual reservation methods, and cumbersome paper scheduling systems, you can immediately boost efficiency, enhance your guest experiences, and unlock higher revenue potential.
It's time to put away the flip-flops. The right investment will make your marathon a breeze.
Ready to capture more revenue and improve efficiency? Sign up for a 10-minute demo to learn more about Slang.
