Digital Restaurants: What Tech Will Help Restaurants Moving Forward?

Digital Restaurants aren’t literally digital. Technology hasn’t
evolved to the point where digital food is a thing. And if it
were a thing, are people ready to eat it? Probably not.


But whether it’s a QSR with online ordering apps, a popular
sit-down restaurant chain using online ordering and delivery, or
even the favorite local establishment utilizing tabletop QR codes
to display menus and integrated POS systems, digital restaurants
are enmeshed into the fabric of the restaurant industry.


During the pandemic, digital transformation saved the restaurant
industry, and customers liked the innovations. The seamless
online ordering experiences customers used to get restaurant food
during the pandemic continued long after restaurants were able to
re-open their doors. And with staffing a continued issue for
restaurants, technology innovations from ordering to
back-of-the-house operations solutions are making a difference in
keeping customers satisfied with less help.


For restaurants, navigating those digital waters can take time
and effort. There is so much technology available. What software
to get? What’s the best digital strategy to handle the needs and
be an effective and efficient digital restaurant?


Barbara Castiglia, the host of The Main Course podcast, reached
out to someone in the restaurant industry helping digital
restaurants with all these issues and challenges to ensure they
know what technology will best propel them forward. Joe
Reinstein, The Executive Director of the Digital Restaurant
Association, said any restaurant relying on digital technology to
operate its restaurant is considered a digital restaurant.


“It could be online ordering for take-out and delivery, working
with third-party delivery services, but it also could just be in
managing their inventory, their food, their operation, their
staffing, banking; all aspects of the restaurant business are
digital these days,” Reinstein said.


Castiglia and Reinstein also discussed the following during the
episode:


1. How the pandemic affected the digital transformation of
restaurants


2. How the Digital Restaurant Association helps restaurants with
their digital technology needs and challenges


3. What customers want from restaurants in terms of digital
technology and services


“The customers want convenience,” Reinstein said. “There’s no
question; they want to be able to get the food they want when
they want it, where they want it, how they want it. And they’re
willing to pay for that convenience. That is wonderful. The
third-party delivery services have been fantastic for the
restaurant industry, saving the industry during the pandemic and
even now.”


Joe Reinstein works at the intersection of digital media,
technology, and public policy. He helps restaurants move from
digital disruption to digital transformation. Reinstein is a
transformational marketing professional, brand builder, and
growth architect with the vision and leadership necessary to
steer the DRA (Digital Restaurant Association) to generate
awareness, increase membership, launch strategic partnerships,
and provide educational resources and technology solutions for
DRA restaurant members. He helps restaurant owners increase
online revenue, improve performance, and streamline operations.
Reinstein received his BA in government, economics, and art
history from Oberlin College.