top of page
Search

Peng's Chinese Takeaway (2) – Potential Business Innovation and Technologies

  • Writer: CHIBUIKEM ECHEGWISI
    CHIBUIKEM ECHEGWISI
  • Aug 12, 2022
  • 3 min read

Updated: Aug 25, 2022


This blog is the second series of a three-part blog on a Chinese takeaway owned by Peng. In the first blog, we were introduced to Peng, who had successfully run a Chinese restaurant business which expanded rapidly within ten years to 8 branches across England. We were also informed of his intent to revamp the company to meet emerging technological trends in the sector and address increasing labour and sales. We could derive the existing Business process model and the SWOT analysis of the restaurant. These tools enabled us to ascertain the digital transformation goals for the takeaway.


A horizon scan of similar businesses in the UK was conducted to determine what innovative and technological trends are emerging in 2021/2022 that Peng can incorporate in the takeaway.


Horizon Scan


With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant industry had to restrategize to stay afloat by turning to tech as the industry was driven to off-premise consumption. Some of the future changes expected in the sector are enumerated below.

  1. Building an Online Presence: Restaurant owners are beginning to create websites and social media profiles for their businesses to facilitate marketing and discoverability. They have made several touchpoints across social media, Email, and search engines to increase their visibility. In addition, they have constantly updated their social media and websites with proper names, addresses, and phone numbers. (EHL Insights, 2022), (Square, n.d.)

  2. Online Ordering: These online platforms developed by restaurants are embedded with a Call-to-Action prompting customers to order online. Although restrictions are being eased and people are coming out to eat at restaurants, online ordering is here to stay. (EHL Insights, 2022), (Square, n.d.)

  3. Digital Kitchen Boards: The Kitchen Display System (KDS) replaces pen and paper with a ticketing system, simplifying restaurant background operations. It is linked to the point of sale system, tracks orders, monitors stock, and will improve sustainability in the kitchen. (EHL Insights, 2022), (Square, n.d.)

  4. Takeaway and Delivery Service: Research showed that 62% of 1000 consumers in the UK prefer using restaurants' delivery apps or websites. They would not like to bear the added cost of delivery that third-party food ordering apps bring into the process. (Square, n.d.)

  5. Contactless Payment: Contactless payment will continue to be the most preferred payment method. It is convenient, hygienic, and fast. Restaurants will do well to invest and plan to key into this payment method. (EHL Insights, 2022)

  6. QR Codes: QR code is becoming the leading means for accessing a restaurant's online menu, placing orders, and making payments. They are beginning to pop up on posters, tables, coasters, doors, and online platforms of restaurants. (EHL Insights, 2022

(PublicisSapient, 2020)

Peng needs to adopt the trends above across his branches. Of course, this depends on how much funds he has and how much he is willing to assume. He could implement these innovations as a test run in one branch, measure successes and failures, and implement learning points across the other branches.


Furthermore, developing a Gap Analysis will help to determine what steps need to be taken to move the takeaway to where we want it to be.


Gap Analysis

With the steps needed to be taken highlighted in the gap analysis, we can proceed to implement the digital transformation process in Peng's Chinese restaurant.


In the next blog, suggestions will be made on the digital transformation option and process, including consideration of the proposed solution to potential challenges ahead so that Peng can effectively implement the proposed strategy.


Please leave a comment and share your thoughts. I look forward to hearing from you.


Connect with me on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram


References

EHL Insights. (2022). 7 restaurant technology trends to watch in 2022. Hospitality News & Business Insights by EHL. https://hospitalityinsights.ehl.edu/restaurant-technology-trends



PublicisSapient. (2020, August 13). How restaurants can be a model for digital transformation. Publicis Sapient | Digital Business Transformation & Consulting. https://www.publicissapient.com/insights/how-restaurants-can-be-a-model-for-digital-transformation

Comments

bottom of page