5 Food and Beverage Technology Trends that made an Impact in 2023

2023 has been a year of settling into what many consider the 'New Normal' for the F&B industry. Artificial Intelligence and Automation efficiencies took up many of the headlines regarding technology, and that will likely continue, but most advancements came in the form of wanting to reduce the labor burden. Looking forward, we believe these 5 technology trends will play a major role in 2024:

1. Autonomous Delivery & Meal Prep: Restaurant operators like sweetgreen and Chipotle Mexican Grill introduced automated prep and kitchens into their lineup this year. Human-lite or even human-free restaurants are becoming an attractive option with rising labor costs.
2. Personalized Ordering/Loyalty Programs: As addressed in our Q4 Virtual Chapter meeting with Taco Bell , the personalization of mobile ordering will continue to develop. As data continues to be compiled and more insights are gathered on guests who interact via digital channels, more developments will come to personalize the ordering experience.
3. Self-Service Kiosks: While the technology for self-service kiosks has been around for quite a while, many companies didn't start implementing them until 2020. Shake Shack said kiosks were the chains most profitable channel during a Q3 earnings call, yielding higher check sizes, higher margins, and allowing for better labor utilization. ?
4. Contactless Payments: According to research by Juniper Research 53% of global transactions running through POS will be contactless in the next five years. Some consumers, especially from younger demographics, don't even carry cash or credit cards. Waffle House, Inc. and Panera Bread introduced contactless systems this year.
5. Artificial Intelligence: This one really doesn't need much of an explanation. Dominating much of the conversation in 2023 and likely to continue the trend in the form of chatbots, taking orders, gaining insights, etc. - the list goes on and on in the ways which AI will continue to change the food and beverage landscape.

As for the IFBTA, we are thankful to our members and supporters who gather, learn, and share throughout the year to better the industry. As 2023 comes to a close, we are excited to continue to provide education and networking opportunities to the foodservice, hospitality, and technology industries globally.

Upcoming Industry Events

NRF 2024 Dinner

• Monday, January 15 2024, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
• Quality Meats - 57 West 58th Street New York, NY
• Join?the IFBTA and your industry peers for an evening of great food, drinks, and networking during the National Retail Federation (NRF)'s Big Show. Seating is limited and open to IFBTA members and industry operators. If you have questions about attending, including eligibility, please email [email protected].

Don't forget to check out the Foodservice Innovation Zone (FIZ), curated by the IFBTA, at the NRF Big Show. The FIZ focuses on the latest in F&B technology innovation and showcases the 'Center of the Plate' and various activations throughout the hall.

IFBTA Atlanta Chapter Meeting (Q1 2024)

• Tuesday, January 30, 2024, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
• 5Church Buckhead - 3379 Peachtree Rd NE Ste 125 Atlanta, GA
• Chapter Chairs: Kevin Bentley, MBA, MSIS, CSM, Prosci - VP, Head of Technology, Jollibee Group , and Jared Hinshaw, PMP? , Sr. Director IT, PMO, Inspire

IFBTA Washington D.C. Chapter Meeting (Q1 2024)

• Wednesday, January 31, 2024, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
• Founding Farmers - 1904 Reston Metro Plaza Reston, VA
• Chapter Chairs: Kathleen Chugh - CIO, Nando's, and Todd Kaufman, VP of IT, SSP America .

IFBTA Florida Chapter Meeting (Q1 2024)

• Thursday, February 1, 2024, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
• North Italia - 7335 W Sand Lake Road Suite 143 Orlando, FL
• Chapter Chairs: Lori Ness, Director of Store Systems, Hard Rock Cafe , Elizabeth Ochoa, Director, Payment Technology Services, Universal Orlando Resort , and Tom Seeker, CIO, Earl Enterprises .

IFBTA Dallas Chapter Meeting (Q1 2024)

• Wednesday, February 07, 2024, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
• Sixty Vines - 3701 Dallas Parkway Plano, TX
• Chapter Chairs: Carissa De Santis, PMP?, CTO, BRIX Holdings , and John Doyle, CIO, Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc.

IFBTA Southern California Chapter Meeting (Q1 2024)

• Thursday, February 08, 2024, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
• Spaghettini - 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy, Seal Beach, CA
• Chapter Chairs: Michael English, Technology Head, In-N-Out Burger , and Kathy Alcaras, Director of IT, NORMS Restaurants .

IFBTA Chicago Chapter Meeting (Q1 2024)

• Tuesday, February 13, 2024, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
• Flat Top Grill - 30 S Wabash Ave Chicago, IL
• Chapter Chairs: Samuel Stanovich ?? - SVP Franchise Leadership, Big Chicken , and Douglas Davis, Information Systems Coordination, Monicals’s Pizza

Digital Content Highlights

Hughes | Interview with Carl Udler & Tim Tang, CFE

Conversations from IFBTA's Digital Community

On the trend they're watching most in 2024:

32% of The IFBTA's digital community is mostly looking at Prep and Delivery Automation most in 2024.

Join the Conversation

In the News

Located in Pasadena, CA, CaliBurger in partnership with Miso Robotics is preparing to embark on what is being dubbed as the world's first fully autonomous restaurant - CaliExpress by Flippy - in December 2023 and initially by reservation only. Customers will be greeted by an integration of artificial intelligence and robotics.

Watch the latest episode of ACCELERATE

IFBTA's weekly podcast about the evolution of the Foodservice and Hospitality industries. TechNovator and leading voice of F&B technology, Rob Grimes, presents engaging conversations through a lens outside of the norm, featuring thought-leaders from a variety of industries, and teaches you how to create opportunities to accelerate your business.

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