How Smart Technology, the Human Touch Shape the Future of Restaurants
A report by YouGov and a me&u interview panel of industry experts throughout the US, Australia, and the UK predicts what bars and restaurants of the future will look like and the trends that will redefine the drinking and dining experiences; the report found that 49% of consumers prefer venues with smart technology options, such as personalized menus that offer food and drink recommendations catered to their tastes.
Eric Seymour, VP of Channel Programs at me&u USA , provides a few insights into some of the main ingredients for the bars and restaurants of the future:
- Smart technologies are not only efficient; QR codes provide meaningful data on guest foot traffic as well as their behaviors and preferences to better predict service requirements, facilitating data-driven decision-making for businesses.
- The future of dining could include meta-events, taking diners on a virtual trip to the vineyard where the wine they’re drinking came from.
- Venue operators will need to think beyond the main course by offering fun activities, such as mini-golf and arcade games.
- AI will usher in a new era of hospitality with hyper-personalized venues tailored to every visitor’s unique background.
“Heart remains the cornerstone of hospitality," Seymour said. "While technology is an asset to any venue, dining out is still about social interactions and making connections with people. In an industry that’s experienced significant changes in the last three years, the one constant that we know will exist in the future will be the people. While we can’t predict what will happen in the next decade or what technologies will emerge, we see a future of full hearts, venues, and appetites — and our industry and its people are shaping it. For centuries, bars and restaurants have been the beating heart of communities. While technology is evolving how we navigate venues, genuine interactions, and human connections cannot be replaced by artificial intelligence.”
Designed for casual and premium dining, me&u flex offers a two-way ordering system where both customers and servers can order and add items to the table. Ordering is synchronized, ensuring everyone eats together. To find out more about me&u flex, visit www.meandu.com/flex.