In conclusion, restaurants investing in technology can know their customers better, leading to more personalized dining experiences that attract more people willing to pay an extra price for unique products. Also, promoting engagement can allow customers to remain loyal to the brand and increase repeat sales leading to more revenue. However, a question remains how can we protect ourselves from technology being invasive of our privacy? 

Student A

The global COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of new technology trends, such as food delivery apps offering customers more convenience, various restaurant choices, and social distancing lowering contamination risk. Customers enjoy having more time when ordering online to browse menus, control the accuracy and trace their orders, leading to increased customer satisfaction and repeat visits (Cheng et al., 2021; Kimes & Laque, 2011). Therefore, restaurants need to use technology to reach customers and adapt to their evolving customer’s preferences to stay competitive. 

Nowadays, we live in a very connected world with many new technologies that allow people to get, share and communicate information instantly across different networks and places, blurring the boundaries of distance. Especially new generations (Millennials and Gen Z) are more tech-savvy, implying that demand for technology will only increase as the population grows. These generations are used to comparing prices and services with others and looking for customization but are willing to remain loyal customers if those brands give them reasons to do so (Burnett, 2019). Therefore, food and beverage companies should invest in technology trends such as mobile app loyalty programs similar to the Starbucks App that allow them to view menus, customize orders online, use rewards, and offer deals based on preferences. A mobile app allows for collecting data such as past customer orders to better understand consumers’ preferences and provide tailored products to increase repeat and new sales. In addition, these new generations like to post photos and videos on social networks to share unique dining and location experiences. For example, I recently saw on Instagram a friend eating at Sublimotion, an immersive, multi-sensory dining restaurant in Dubai that uses high-tech LED visuals to create a stage, which excited me to visit now on my bucket list even though I have to pay more. Thus, restaurants that understand and respond to these trends can offer enhanced products and services and will thrive in the years ahead.

In conclusion, restaurants investing in technology can know their customers better, leading to more personalized dining experiences that attract more people willing to pay an extra price for unique products. Also, promoting engagement can allow customers to remain loyal to the brand and increase repeat sales leading to more revenue. However, a question remains how can we protect ourselves from technology being invasive of our privacy? 

Student B

Technology is the first productive force. In today’s increasingly large catering market, this statement is increasingly important, some new technologies and new equipment are being applied to catering one after another. Robot restaurants, unmanned restaurants, etc. have long been nothing new, and the introduction of technology in catering is becoming more and more common. However, not every appearance of technology can have an impact on the general environment of the restaurant. The restaurant needs not only a sense of technology, but practicality is also the most urgent needs.
1, Immersive interactive restaurant, so that the dishes become extremely spiritual. For example, there is a limited supply of restaurants in Japan, with only eight customers a day, the special nature of the environment is that it is the natural beauty of Japan, such as flowers and birds as elements to present the four seasons.

2, 3D Café, print your exclusive milk froth. Through face scanning can generate their own exclusive expressions in real time to share their circle of friends, 3D food printer printed-out cookies can really eat, and customize their own exclusive 3D milk froth coffee. There are also 2 minutes to carve yourself into the crystal 3D crystal carving machine, 3D cell phone case printer, 3D printing machine, VR games, and so on. All kinds of food are made with 3D technology, and all of them give people a sense of the dream.

3, intelligent pick-up cabinets, and intelligent delivery links. The smart pickup cabinet is an intelligent hardware product developed and patented by West Sixth Floor, which can be independently heated in a single compartment and supports a variety of pickup methods such as cell phone one-key pickup, card pickup, code pickup, face recognition, etc. It has a strong sense of technology and can be used as a delivery terminal for take-out, group meals, etc. It can also be used as a storage container for internal deployment management and has been laid out in many cities with strong practicality.
In conclusion, the application of technology in the catering industry can not only bring freshness to consumers but also save the company’s labor costs. The application of technology in the catering industry is a future development trend and is very popular.