Staying Relevant In The Competitive QSR and Fast Casual Market = Change

In an effort to stay relevant in today’s competitive QSR market, many organizations are turning to digital technology. The interesting part is what technologies they are investing in.

Most places have realized the benefits of utilizing a POS (Point of Sale) system. This enables them to track inventory and sales, so adjustments can be made in what to order and how much to charge per item, etc. A very useful tool.

Some have also turned to digital TVs as a way to engage customers. These are usually in the eating area and display the news or weather channels. Most people don’t watch them (too busy looking at smart phone) and usually people can’t hear the TV because of the noise from other customers. I was in a QSR dining area and a news item came on the TV about employees being disgruntled about their treatment from their employers, and the employer was the QSR I was eating at!

With the digital screens, the QSRs are so close to having an actual business tool. One place everyone looks when they come in is the menu boards. Everyone. One of the benefits of having digital menu boards is the ability to control easily what the customer, the captive audience, is looking at. Promos can be changed, prices updated, menu items switched out, dayparting, all the while tied in to the POS, so many of these changes happen automatically. Not only does this give the customer a more targeted dining experience, but it makes for better management of inventory for increased profits.

While there is a recognition of the benefits of digital technology, it is the know how of best usage that brings the mostly gain for all.