Seventy percent of Irish consumers want table ordering technology to be a permanent fixture post-pandemic, according to Flipdish, a digital ordering platform.
The flash survey was conducted amongst members of the Restaurants Association of Ireland in September. Members of the Restaurants Association of Ireland are made up of full service restaurants, coffee shops, hotel restaurants, gastropubs, golf clubs and cookery schools. The second survey was conducted by Empathy Research and canvassed 1,000 Irish consumers for their insights into the technology used in bars and restaurants.
The research shows technology was instrumental for survival during the pandemic as many businesses pivoted online with 48% of restaurant and takeaway owners have adopted new technologies since the start of the pandemic. Forty four percent of those who deployed new technologies in their business invested over €1,500 to do so.
The most popular technology adaptations were website ordering (64%), QR code table ordering technology (57%) and the use of aggregator websites (29%). The research shows 79% of restaurant owners will continue to use technology adaptations as they come out the other side of the pandemic.
Furthermore, when asked, 70% of Irish adults say that they would like pubs and restaurants to continue to offer QR code table ordering technology when COVID-19 restrictions are fully lifted. Adults aged 18-24 (89%) and 33-44 (82%) were the age groups with the highest preference for restaurants and bars to continue to use this technology after the pandemic. Interestingly, 68% of those aged 65 and over would also prefer restaurants and pubs to continue to use table ordering technology when restrictions are lifted. 78% of females would prefer this technology remains opposed to 60% of males.
Only 1% of adults aged 18 - 24 would prefer to order drinks at the bar over Christmas compared to 9% of those aged 25 - 34. The most likely age group to order from the bar this Christmas are those aged 35-44 (16%). Overall, 15% of adults will not go out to socialise over the Christmas period.
Speaking on the research results, Co-founder of Flipdish, James McCarthy said, "We are delighted to see that the public are enjoying using table ordering technology in addition to it having been a vital tool in helping restaurateurs combat the challenges of the Covid restrictions. We are confident that this technology will remain relevant long after the pandemic ends. The benefits of this technology goes far beyond the enjoyment customers get from using it."
Source: www.businessworld.ie
