How Innovative Tools and MRGN Insights Accelerate Every Shift
In today’s restaurant world, speed is a necessity. Diners expect quick, seamless service whether they’re enjoying a meal inside, grabbing takeout, or waiting for a table. Restaurants that deliver on speed see higher sales, better reviews, and more repeat business. The secret to staying ahead? Embracing technology that streamlines every step of the guest experience.
Handheld POS Systems: Orders and Payments, Anywhere
Handheld POS systems have revolutionized the way servers operate, and the benefits ripple through the entire dining experience. At Jongro BBQ in New York City, servers use handheld devices to take orders and process payments right at the table. This means orders reach the kitchen instantly, and guests can pay without delay, which results in faster, more accurate service and quicker table turnover.
For staff, handheld POS systems reduce physical strain and make shifts more manageable. Instead of running back and forth to a stationary terminal, servers can focus on hospitality and guest needs. This efficiency leads to less stress and a more productive workday. Patrons, in turn, enjoy quicker service, fewer errors, and the convenience of tableside payment-making the dining experience smoother and more enjoyable.
Restaurants like Chubby Cattle have seen reduced wait times and increased throughput by using handheld POS and table tablets. Kyuramen, with over ten U.S. locations, cut labor costs by about 30% after making the switch, all while maintaining high service standards.
Digital Kitchen Display Systems: Streamlining the Back of House
Behind the scenes, digital Kitchen Display Systems (KDS) are transforming kitchens into models of efficiency. Lena, a vegan restaurant owner, saw her kitchen’s performance soar after installing a KDS. Orders now appear on digital screens, organized by priority and updated in real time, which reduced order fulfillment times by up to 40% and cut food waste by as much as 25%.
KDS technology benefits everyone involved:
- For staff: Communication between the front and back of house becomes seamless, reducing miscommunication and helping prioritize tasks, especially during rush periods. This creates a calmer, more organized kitchen and fewer mistakes, allowing staff to focus on preparing quality dishes rather than sorting through paper tickets or clarifying orders.
- For patrons: Meals arrive faster and are more likely to be accurate, even during busy times. The entire dining experience becomes more reliable and satisfying.
Reservation and Waitlist Apps: Smoother Guest Flow
Reservation and waitlist apps are changing the way restaurants manage guest flow. At Taste of Texas, a renowned steakhouse, a digital waitlist platform led to a 40% increase in customer traffic. Guests can join the waitlist remotely, track their status in real time, and receive a text when their table is ready. This minimizes crowded lobbies and long waits, while helping staff optimize table turns.
The benefits are clear:
- Staff spend less time managing crowds or answering phone calls about wait times, allowing them to focus on greeting guests and managing the floor efficiently.
- Patrons enjoy the flexibility of joining a waitlist from anywhere and receiving timely updates, which means less time standing around and a more relaxed, enjoyable visit from start to finish.
Self-Service Kiosks: Speeding Up Fast Casual
Fast-casual and quick-service restaurants are also turning to self-service kiosks to accelerate service. Machi Machi in New York City lets guests place orders directly at in-store kiosks, which reduces lines and frees up staff for food preparation. The kiosks guide guests through the menu, ensure order accuracy, and deliver a faster, more efficient experience.
This approach allows staff to focus on food quality and customer service, while patrons benefit from shorter lines, clear menu information, and the ability to customize orders at their own pace.
MRGN Insights: Bringing It All Together
What truly ties all these innovations together is the ability to harness data for continuous improvement. With MRGN, restaurants can integrate data from POS systems, kitchen displays, reservation platforms, and more-turning raw numbers into clear, actionable insights. Managers can quickly spot bottlenecks, adjust staffing, and refine menus, ensuring every piece of technology delivers maximum value and keeps service moving at top speed.
This integrated approach means:
- Staff benefit from smarter scheduling, balanced workloads, and less guesswork.
- Patrons enjoy a consistently excellent experience, no matter how busy the restaurant gets.
The Bottom Line
Technology is the key to delivering faster, smarter restaurant service. By embracing these tools and leveraging MRGN’s insights, restaurants can create a seamless experience that delights guests, empowers staff, and drives profitability shift after shift. When technology works for everyone, everyone wins.
