Publisher's Commentary: Industry Insights — Streamlining Pickup and Delivery Services
By Troy Del Favero, E&M Consulting, Inc.
The National Restaurant Association said in their 2022 State of the Restaurant Industry Report that 54% of adults say purchasing takeout or delivery food is essential to the way they live.1 At the start of the pandemic, restaurants started offering curbside pickup, delivery through third-party services, and online ordering to encourage customers to continue eating at restaurants from the comfort of their homes. Two years later, curbside pickup has started phasing out as staffing shortages make it difficult to allocate staff between food delivery and preparation.2 Delivery and takeout are still going strong, and restaurants are finding ways to create more efficient processes for both their staff and customers — and that includes introducing technology.
Seven out of 10 adults report that they’re likely to order online and pay using contactless or mobile payment options.3 This has led restaurants to invest in service-based technologies, including online or app ordering, mobile payment and delivery management. Many restaurants incorporated shelving units for customers or delivery drivers to pick up their order without interrupting the speed of service. However, these led to orders being stolen or the wrong ones being picked up.? Smart lockers were introduced to alleviate these issues. Orders are placed in a locker with a digital lock, whose code and locker number are sent via text message to the customer or driver upon pickup to ensure the correct order is taken.? This is only the start in making pickup and delivery services more efficient.
Sources:?????????????
5. www.foodservicedirector.com/operations/smart-food-lockers-enhance-order-pickup-process