Food and Technology

Thus far in class we have learned how technology and information systems are impacting many different industries and business functions. One industry that has been a slower adopter to the technical revolution has been the resturant industry. The article that I higlighted for my class reader explores how Panera Bread and Chili’s are using information technology to gain an edge on their competition. Like in many other industires, these two giant resturant chains are finding that relying on technology are allowing them to automate processes, increase order accuracy, reduce wait times, and even offer higher margin food items (at the cost of replacing a tablet with a waiter). While tablets replacing servers entirely in these resturants is not in the immdiate future, its clear that these resturants are closely monitering the competitve advantages that technology is offering.

Here is the article: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/21/business/latecomers-to-technology-restaurants-dig-in.html?_r=1

Food for Thought:

1. Do you think tablets are a realistic option to entirely replace servers within the next 5 years?

2. Have you expirienced a tablet solution at a Panera or Chili’s?

3. What other ways could a resturant use technology as a competitve advantage?

Thanks for reading!