tech Solution : Adopting QR order & pay can help struggling restaurants rebound /
Eric Seymour
- Vol 30 (6) pages 40-41 : illustrations ; 27 cm
Despite record sales in 2023, the restaurant industry remains fragmented. While takeout, delivery, drive-through and curbside sales are above pre-pandemic levels, according to the National Restaurant Association, on-site restaurant traffic lags. Furthermore, the cost of essential operational products and services has continued to rise. In 2022, 88% of restaurant operators reported higher food and beverage costs compared to 2019, while 94% said their other operating expenses, including supplies and general administrative costs, had also increased beyond 2019 levels. In a 2023 survey conducted by the National Restaurant Association, restaurant operators said they are dealing with a tight labor market, with 79% reporting difficulty in hiring and 62% indicating they are currently understaffed. Even before the Great Resignation, restaurants struggled with staffing. Workers have proven difficult to retain due to extended hours, low wages and burnout. The pandemic and ensuing shutdown exacerbated these challenges, prompting restaurant employees to leave the industry with no desire to come back.
Qr code Technology quick-service and casual dining