Restaurants Continue Automating Amid Staff Shortages, Demanding Consumers 

The pandemic was a boom time for some restaurants, with a 200% increase in the early months of the worldwide health crisis. Even now as eateries welcome diners back to table service and indoor seating, digital ordering and delivery are likely here to stay.

The problem is keeping up with the demand as quick-service restaurants (QSRs) and fast-casual restaurants continue to suffer from staff shortages and consumers become increasingly impatient and vocal.

Some eateries have turned to robotics and other ways to automate processes to help fill orders and are searching for more ways to reduce the human factor to get orders out of the kitchen.

The Order to Eat Tracker®, a PYMNTS and Paytronix collaboration, explores how QSRs and fast-casual restaurants are tackling the issues affecting frontline workers. It also looks into the many ways eateries are leveraging technology to meet demand and offer an experience that’s satisfying to all.

Restaurants of all types and sizes are faced with welcoming diners back inside while also meeting the demand of people who have grown accustomed to reaching for their phones when it’s time to eat and pay. Digital orders surged 79% at Taco Bell, 40% at McDonald’s and 29% at Burger King year over year in September 2021.

While automation can help ease the burden on restaurant staff, the human factor is still a necessity and something many food service establishments are struggling with as consumer demand intersects with staff shortages. Some restaurants are upping the ante to attract and keep workers, offering perks like gas discounts, tuition assistance and advancement initiatives so people can move up in the business.

It’s anticipated that the food service sector will grow by an estimated 400,000 jobs by the end of this year. Further, 96% of eatery operators said that there has been a delay in obtaining supplies and shortages of central items.

The April Order to Eat Tracker® can be downloaded here.