Ranking the Top High-Tech Restaurants
With what seems like an infinite evolution of tech innovations, our current era has set whole new standards and advanced expectations across an array of industries. Whether it’s in the consumer sector, the retail world, or in the service space, customers are becoming more and more open to new tech trends with every experience – it’s upping the ante on expectations as well.
One industry that is especially open to the tech enhancements of the twenty-first century is our restaurant and foodservice space. Since owning and operating a restaurant is one of the most difficult endeavors one can undertake, more establishments are open to the idea of implementing inventive automation and service solutions to streamline the most difficult aspects of business.
At Bear Robotics, we stand at the crossroads of outstanding service and solution-oriented automation and we salute any restaurant that can balance the two. Here is a quick rundown of the ones doing this right.
Chili’s Gets Automated
The great American go-to for everything from baby back ribs to Big Mouth Burgers, margaritas, and meal deals, Chili’s has been serving up fast-casual favorites since 1975. They top our list for a couple of reasons – the first being their pioneering prowess in introducing automation across several service angles.
You may remember Chili’s as the first big restaurant chain to introduce innovative kiosks to allow patrons to order and pay at the table. The Chili’s PrestoPrime tabletop devices has made a huge difference in how patrons interface with their dining experience. Features include intuitive order and payment, intelligence gathering surveys, even games for kids – all while adding to the experience of having an actual server.
Chili’s also just announced the introduction of a new service employee with Rita the Robot, their very own custom version of our Servi solution. Just like all of our Servi models Rita the Robot takes the hard work out of service jobs like running food, bussing tables, and delivering drinks. If you notice your Chili’s servers in a better mood lately, well you can probably guess why. With streamlined ordering and an extra set of helping hands, Chili’s employees are freed from the constraints of repetitive work and can focus on what matters most – their guests.
McDonald’s Puts You in Control
McDonald’s should probably earn a trophy for innovation just by existing. They are the first restaurant to nail the fast-food game and have spawned an entire culinary culture from their example. They’re certainly pioneers in the progression of service.
They’ve upped their game recently though to include an array of computer-based ordering systems to streamline the take-out process. Their new kiosk-based ordering system, “Create Your Taste” allows patrons to fully customize their order right from an intuitive, HD screen. You can even pay at the kiosk and scan your table tent so that the service team knows exactly where to find you when your order is ready.
So, if you were wondering how far the food industry has come in terms of innovation, look no further than the names on this list. At Bear Robotics, we can’t wait to see what the future holds for America’s dining industry.
If you own or operate a restaurant and want to learn how you can quickly upgrade the automation tech and transform customer experiences, check us out and explore options for bringing your eatery into the next phase.
TOCA Social Takes Dallas
Gaming restaurants are garnering a lot of attention lately, especially in places like Texas where a combination of tech-savvy guests and super-hot summers invite innovative indoor dining experiences.
TOCA Social takes this concept to the next level, combining interactive immersive gaming with world-class cuisine. As of right now, they’re located exclusively in London but they’re looking to extend their reach to the Dallas Design District in 2023. Upon arrival, guests can expect upscale pub-style eats combined with futurist arcade action and fully immersive virtual soccer experiences.
4Food
New York City has long been known for encouraging innovation across all areas of the culinary scene. With nearly 30,000 restaurants within about 300 square miles, creativity, curiosity, and originality define this dining destination.
One such restaurant is reimagining fast food with a health-forward menu and a unique dining experience. 4Food, located off Madison Avenue, uses iPad technology to guide users through a truly unique menu and ordering process.
This tech-driven take on the traditional burger joint starts customers off with a burger patty shaped like a donut, the interior of which can be filled with a variety of add-ons. Customers are encouraged to build their burgers with an interactive iPad experience. A live social flow is also displayed throughout the restaurant where patrons can participate in active conversations across Facebook, Foursquare, etc. No wonder they’ve got everyone talking.
