More than ever, people are choosing contactless food pickup options. Perceived as more convenient and safer when compared to traditional pickup options, many restaurants adapted and adopted them during the heart of the Covid pandemic, and now the convenience they provide is something to which consumers are accustomed. The technology behind contactless food pickup is growing and evolving rapidly. And when appropriately instituted, it can lead to a more seamless process for customers and staff.
Without a doubt, the rise of contactless food pickup was driven by the coronavirus pandemic, when additional precautions to minimize social contact increased the demand for contactless options. Even though pizzerias led the way, this trend has spread throughout the restaurant industry. Since 43 percent of Americans eat pizza at least once weekly, it took only a short time until customers demanded changes in other restaurant industry sectors to match the ones they saw in pizza parlors.
To adjust the contactless food options, restaurants need an easy way for customers to know when their order is ready, identify which order is theirs, and pick it up without exposing themselves to other people. That has led to the growth of some new benefits and technological changes.
Contactless food pickup has several significant benefits for customers and restaurants. It is far more convenient for customers because they do not have to worry about waiting for someone to hand them their food. As soon as they know their food is ready, they can drive to the restaurant, pick it up, and walk out the door. Of course, because people are no longer coming into physical contact with one another, this is another deterrent for illnesses to spread.
The lobbies of restaurants also will be less crowded since people won't be waiting around for their food to be ready and given to them. Contactless pickups also reduce wait times for customers who want to eat in-house since staff can focus on seating and filling orders instead of handing out to-go orders. All of this will lead to improved customer satisfaction.
The long-term impact of contactless food pickup is that it has shifted demands from customers and expectations placed on restaurants. While numerous dining trends continue to emerge, it is clear that contactless food pickup demands are here to stay. While this may require restaurants to adjust, commercial kitchens and the takeout industry can meet these challenges by implementing the latest technology on the market.
Technology has had to evolve to ensure restaurants meet customers' demands, and Hatco has led the way. Providing the technology to allow customers to order through mobile apps and have orders picked up with a personalized QR code, the Hatco Minnow MPP Pickup Pod automates tasks to allow staff to work on fulfilling orders instead of taking orders and processing payments. Online ordering options not only shorten the time customers need to wait for their food but has also been shown to increase sales and order size. With a touchless interface that reduces the spread of germs and cubbies that ensure food safety, the Minnow MPP Pickup Pod can help increase customer satisfaction and improve sales without any additional effort from staff.