Restaurant margins are thin. Technology reduces waste, increases throughput, and improves the guest experience. Use this checklist to identify where your operation needs modernization.
Point of Sale System
- Cloud-based POS with real-time reporting
- Tableside ordering via tablet
- Menu management with modifiers and specials
- Split checks and flexible payment processing
- Integration with kitchen display and inventory
Online Ordering and Delivery
- First-party online ordering through your website
- Third-party delivery platform integration (DoorDash, Uber Eats)
- Order throttling during peak times
- Pickup time estimation
- Commission tracking for third-party orders
Reservation and Waitlist Management
- Online reservation system
- Digital waitlist with SMS notifications
- Table management and floor plan optimization
- Guest preference and allergy tracking
- No-show tracking and management
Kitchen Operations
- Kitchen display system (KDS) replacing paper tickets
- Prep list automation based on reservations and history
- Recipe management with cost tracking
- Waste tracking and reduction monitoring
- Temperature monitoring for food safety compliance
Inventory and Purchasing
- Digital inventory tracking with par levels
- Automated purchase order generation
- Vendor price comparison
- Food cost percentage monitoring
- Waste and spoilage tracking
Staff Management
- Digital scheduling with availability management
- Time clock with labor cost tracking
- Tip pooling and distribution
- Training documentation and tracking
- Performance metrics per server
Customer Engagement
- Loyalty program with digital rewards
- Email and SMS marketing
- Review management and response
- Gift card program (physical and digital)
- Customer feedback collection
Website and Online Presence
- Modern website with menu and ordering
- Google Business Profile optimization
- Local SEO for cuisine and location searches
- Professional food photography
- Social media content strategy
Reporting
- Daily sales and labor dashboards
- Food cost and margin analysis
- Server performance metrics
- Peak hour and day analysis
- Year-over-year comparisons
Next Steps
Start with the sections where you have the most manual processes. POS and online ordering typically deliver the fastest ROI.
Ready to digitally transform your restaurant? Contact us to plan your technology roadmap.