It’s no secret that restaurants are a dime a dozen — or so it often seems that way to the paying public. Combine that with the fact that the restaurant industry is one of the toughest in which to succeed, much less survive, and it might seem like you have a recipe for disaster. Fortunately, there are plenty of creative and innovative restaurant trends that you can adopt to make sure your own culinary enterprise thrives.

1. Streamlined Ordering and Checkout Processes

With the continued focus on delivering experiences and products on-demand, that thought process has trickled into the restaurant industry with no signs of abatement. As 2018 demonstrated, the dining public is eager to embrace cashless payment opportunities in the form of ApplePay, Venmo and SamsungPay.
Ordering, too, is more streamlined in 2019 with McDonald’s and Panera Bread just two of the bigger names in the business that offer their diners the option of using self-ordering kiosks. Pair your restaurant up with the right POS and not only will your customers benefit but your staff will notice fewer awkward moments during the ordering and payment processes.

2. Play Around With Experiences

Hosting an experience for diners has traditionally been limited to things like a live band or a joint promotion with a distributor. Many restaurants aimed for events that complemented the dining experience — but didn’t distract from it. With the rise in popular activities like paint nights and meditation at breweries, though, restaurant goers are heading to a particular place because of the experiences that are available with the dining aspect being a nice addition.
Because these experiences tend to be highly-social events, and because they often encourage attendees to stick around and order more food and beverages, it’s worth it to test the concept out in your own restaurant. You don’t have to make it complex though. Start with something easy and simple like adding a trivia night or board game night. You could also rent a gif booth or photo booth and brand the pictures with your restaurant’s logo for some extra mileage.

3. An All-in-One Technology Solution for Restaurants

For 2019, more restaurants will be opting for POS systems that integrate all aspects of management including inventory, back office, online order taking and more. By relying on the Internet of Things (IoT), top-notch systems deliver the features a restaurant needs to run smoothly — even if you’re off-line.
By upgrading to a POS that is comprehensive and forward-thinking, your restaurant will run more smoothly, your customers will be happier and your staff will be thrilled. Even your management will find their jobs easier because the right POS provides the ability to generate a variety of reports, makes scheduling easier and more.
Incorporate one — or all three — of the easy ideas highlighted above and watch your efforts return increased visibility and profits for your restaurant. Be sure to keep your social media followers informed about your latest efforts to improve their experience and give back to your community by keeping your accounts current!