By Tobias Foster, Contributor
Big data is a relatively new business concept, which is why so many entrepreneurs and sales managers consider it to be relevant only to a handful of industries such as IT of finance. However, the truth is that big data can improve all sorts of businesses out there, including restaurants, sports bars, and coffee shops.
Our goal is to help you understand the new approach to sales analysis, so keep reading to learn:
The definition of big data
How to collect enough information for data analytics
11 ways to utilize big data to increase restaurant sales
The main issues with big data deployment
We have a long way to go, so let’s get right to it!
Big Data: Definition & Stats
Big data represents a massive volume of both structured and unstructured data that is so large and difficult to process using traditional database and software techniques. As such, the process is capable of drawing meaningful conclusions out of datasets that seem completely irrelevant to the human brain of even a less powerful computer program.
Big data is quickly turning into a gigantic industry because businesses realize the impact it can have on their results. Here are just a few stats to help you figure out the magnitude of the big data industry:
The big data analytics market is set to reach $103 billion by 2023.
Data-driven organizations are 23 times more likely to acquire s than their less agile peers.
Businesses using big data can expect an average profit increase of 10%.
How to Collect Information for Big Data Analytics
The very name big data tells you that the system demands a lot of information in order to function properly. Therefore, the main question restaurant owners and managers are facing is how to collect information for big data analytics? The answer is fairly simple – you can obtain relevant data in a few easy steps:
POS system. It all starts with your POS system as it keeps a perfectly accurate record of all orders and financial transactions per guest.
Phone calls. Many visitors call restaurants to book a table, which gives you the chance to learn more about their preferences and add information to the big data platform.
Social media. Your marketing manager must be running at least a few social media accounts, so let it become another source of user-related information.
Online surveys. You can directly ask customers to tell you more about their experiences in your restaurant through online surveys.
Email. This is still the most popular channel of business communication, so don’t hesitate to utilize it and ask your guests for feedback.
Live chat. Facebook Messenger and other live chat platforms can collect tons of useful information about each consumer separately.
Chatbots. The process is even simpler if you rely on chatbots for professional communication. Modern chatbot tools will store user-related information directly to the system and allow you to analyze it quickly.
11 Ways to Utilize Big Data to Increase Restaurant Sales
Now that you know the basics of big data, it is time to check out 11 strategies that can help you to increase sales in your restaurant. Without further ado, let’s take a look:
1. Customer profiling. The first way to make use of big data is to conduct a customer profile analysis. With so much information at your disposal, you can figure out the traits of a typical restaurant visitor and learn where they come from, understand their style, personal preferences, and so on.
2. Improve menus. The second strategy goes hand in hand with the previous one. Namely, big data can help you to identify the worst and the best items from your menu, while you can also pinpoint dishes that require continuous promotion or special discounts. Besides that, you can compare guests’ interests based on periods of the day or days in the week to come up with a highly customized menu.
3. Monitor employee performance. Big data is not biased, it doesn’t get distracted, and it doesn’t forget anything. Therefore, you should exploit the platform to objectively monitor employee performance and figure out who is fulfilling your professional standards.
4. Improve scheduling. The vast majority of restaurant managers are having a hard time making schedules and planning who should work which shift. Big data can solve the problem easily, so you just have to let it create a schedule on your behalf. With all the variables taken into the calculation, big data will quickly give you both short- and long-term schedules.
5. Track inventory. Tracking inventory is another major aspect of the restaurant business because you don’t want to overstock and run out of stock. Big data successfully recognize cooking and ordering patterns, which gives it the ability to track and plan inventory better than any human manager can do.
6. Enhance guest experience. Restaurant visitors pay for experiences as much as they pay for food. In such circumstances, you should take advantage of big data to enhance guest experience based on previous interactions with the same visitors, ordering preferences, reservation habits, and many more.
7. Boost customer loyalty. Do you know that it costs five times as much to attract a new customer than to keep the existing client? Loyalty is a major concept in the hospitality niche, so do your best to boost customer retention using big data services.
8. Maximize marketing efficiency. Modern marketing relies on a broad scope of communication channels and content formats. From websites to emails to Facebook and Instagram, you are probably having a hard time evaluating the performance of each channel in particular. Big data gives operators a hand here by enabling the marketing department to analyze the results and find ways to improve promo activities.
9. Sales forecasting. Another important benefit of big data is accurate sales forecasting. Using big data to forecast business will help you with all the details related to organization and planning, so you never have to worry about unpleasant surprises.
10. Trend prediction. Eating habits of restaurant visitors can change over time, which is why it is essential to keep an eye on the latest trends in your niche. Big data actively listens to the target audience using multiple communication platforms, so it can warn you about the coming trends and future needs of your clients in a timely manner.
11. Cost reduction. With everything we’ve mentioned so far, the only logical conclusion is that big data can help you to reduce operating costs in the long run. You can minimize the number of employees, reduce food waste, and make a number of other corrections to prevent unnecessary costs.
The Main Issues with Big Data Deployment
Although being one of the most advanced and powerful sales boosters, big data also comes with a few disadvantages of its own. Here they are:
Big data requires additional investments. Big data is a super-efficient system, but it comes with a hefty price tag. It can be a burden for restaurants that are already struggling to make ends meet.
Big data requires staff training. Your chef and waiters probably don’t need to know how big data functions, but your sales and customer service staff definitely does.
Big data is not suitable for smaller outlets. Small restaurants with a limited number of guests and modest menus probably don’t need to use big data. The platform is developed with the purpose of helping out big systems and it delivers the best results when applied to large restaurants and franchises.
The Bottom Line
Restaurant management is getting increasingly complex because guests demand highly personalized experiences. The only way to solve the problem and boost your restaurant sales is by embracing big data technology.
Have you already thought about using big data for restaurant management purposes? Which big data benefit do you consider to be the most important? Feel free to share your ideas or questions in the comments – we would love to discuss this exciting topic with our readers!
About the Author
Tobias Foster is a sales strategist at some of the best dissertation writing services, including the essay writing service UK. Tobias specializes in sales data analytics, but he also enjoys helping out his colleagues from the digital marketing department. Tobias is the father of two kids and a passionate long-distance runner.
