By Orit Naomi, RTN staff writer - 8.8.2024
A new restaurant technology testing bed, dubbed The Restaurant Technology Innovation Center, is set to open its doors in Chicago. Owned and operated by Point B, a management consulting firm specializing in business and technology transformation, and scheduled to launch in early 2025, the facility aims to provide a practical resource for restaurant operators navigating the increasingly complex landscape of restaurant technology.
Recognizing the challenges faced by restaurants in evaluating and implementing new technologies, the facility will reportedly serve as a centralized hub showcasing a curated selection of leading restaurant technologies. The center will feature a fully integrated technology ecosystem, allowing operators to understand how different systems can work together to address specific operational needs.
“After collaborating with numerous restaurant customers to transform their tech stacks, Point B recognized that the rapidly changing digital landscape of restaurant technologies was often causing more confusion than clarity,” noted the company in a press statement. “The new Restaurant Technology Innovation Center will address this by being the first of its kind to feature a fully integrated restaurant technology ecosystem that showcases the capabilities of multiple leading technologies side by side. This center will include best-in-class commerce platforms, back-office systems, kitchen displays, kiosks, loyalty, tipping systems, digital menu/order confirmation boards, AI woven throughout, and more.”
According to the press statement, the Restaurant Technology Innovation Center will offer a hands-on experience, enabling restaurant operators to test and interact with various technologies in a simulated restaurant environment. Operators can experiment with different concept data sets, representing various service models such as quick service, table service, and fast casual, to determine the best fit for their business.
“This facility will provide a dynamic environment where customers and prospects can see how various technologies work together seamlessly to improve guest and employee experience. Customers will have the opportunity to test and try modern technologies in a ‘live’ environment using various restaurant concept data sets (Quick Service, Table Service, Fast Casual, etc.) and explore the art of the possible with a digital appetizer – a customer-tailored workshop focused on exploring a potential future state.”
Key technologies featured at the center will include:
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Commerce platforms for online ordering and delivery management.
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Back-office systems for inventory control, financial management, and reporting.
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Kitchen display systems to improve order accuracy and kitchen operations.
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Self-service kiosks for customer convenience and order customization.
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Loyalty and tipping systems to enhance customer engagement and retention.
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Digital menu and order confirmation boards for improved communication and order clarity.
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AI-powered solutions for task automation, data analysis, and personalized experiences.
The facility is designed to help multi-unit restaurant operators leverage technology to achieve specific business outcomes, including:
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Increasing average unit volumes and overall revenue.
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Driving adoption of digital ordering and delivery channels.
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Streamlining operations and improving efficiency.
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Establishing a scalable technology infrastructure to support growth.
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Enhancing the customer experience and building loyalty.
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Leveraging data insights for informed decision-making.
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Optimizing speed of service and order fulfillment.
The facility aims to provide a pragmatic and accessible resource for restaurant operators seeking to navigate the evolving technology landscape. By offering a centralized location to experience and evaluate leading technologies, the center aims to facilitate informed decision-making and support the successful integration of technology solutions within the restaurant industry.
In an era defined by rapid technological advancements and evolving customer expectations, the value of this type of resource is clear. By offering a centralized hub for exploration, experimentation, and collaboration, the Restaurant Technology Innovation Center can help restaurant owners and operators confidently embrace the transformative power of technology.
