A third of respondents to Boost Capital’s survey believe that technology such as tablets, mobile payments and apps can speed up the service at a restaurant, while 29 per cent read online reviews on a regular basis and the same figure looks at a restaurant’s website or social media before selecting where to dine.
Thirty per cent of the 2,003 UK adults surveyed say that Wi-Fi hotspots are important when deciding where to dine, with the figure peaking on a regional-level in London where 49 per cent say that it affects where their dining-out choices.
Boost Capital’s director of sales and marketing, Willem van Lynden, said that technology is now becoming an expectation rather than a luxury in the restaurant industry but warned that a human touch is still required.
“By incorporating technology into your restaurant, you can keep current customers engaged, attract new clientele and make your restaurant stand out from the crowd of 56,000[7] UK competitors, ultimately leading to business growth.
“However, whilst the use of technology can enhance the business, attract new customers and help speed up service, restaurant owners still need to train their staff well, create the right ambience, and reward regular customers to keep people coming back for more.”