Restaurant POS News

Restaurants saw September as a month of highs, lows, and technological revelations. With changing times, restaurants are thinking on their feet to keep prices down, profits up, and customers coming through the door. In this post, we'll recap some of the biggest news pieces released for the restaurant industry last month and the key takeaways that you can bring into your business.

Let's take a look at what's trending at Toast in this edition of the Toast Top 5.

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1. Healthy at a Cost

Restaurant-goers have spoken - and they want healthy food at an affordable price. However, it seems that some restaurants have been struggling to do both. To please customers, Hospitality Magazine found that 67% of small business restaurants have added healthier menu items, but 50% have absorbed the added cost themselves through schedule changes.

While we think there's merit in keeping prices for customers down, there are other ways of absorbing the cost. For example, engaging in predictive sales forecasting and taking control of your restaurant inventory can help you reduce waste and portion properly so you can serve healthy options are a mutually beneficial price point.

2. Lunch Prices Up, Lunch Sales Down

When Mom and Dad aren't giving us lunch money anymore, it's tough to justify buying lunch every day. Restaurant Hospitality is reporting that restaurant lunch sales are on the decline, with possible attributions being higher prices, an increase in telecommuters, and more online shoppers which keeps people off the streets and out of food courts. To account for this trend, try making it easy for your customer to come to you! Offers like online ordering, loyalty programs, and mobile payment increase efficiency in your restaurant and result in repeat customers.

3. Mobile Tech On The Rise

Everyone is addicted to their smartphone these days, so why not use that to your advantage? Hospitalitytechnology.com found that more than half of diners base their decision of where to eat based on whether or not a restaurant has mobile payment capability and if they have a user friendly app. Some restaurants need to catch up though, as only 49% allow mobile payment and 41% have an app. If you want to read more about the importance of mobile payment and its future in restaurants, check out our blog on the topic!