Nutrition & Foodservice Edge Magazine - May/June 2023 - 31

technology
12 WAYS
IS SOLVING
THE LABOR
CRISIS
BY GREG GORGONE, CDM, CFPP
2. Online Ordering
Implementing an online ordering
system allows customers to place their
orders directly through a website
or mobile app. This eliminates the
need for phone orders, reducing the
number of staff necessary to take
orders.
3. Automated Cooking
Equipment
Investing in automated cooking
equipment, such as conveyor ovens,
can reduce the need for skilled cooks
and kitchen staff.
4. Point of Sale (POS) Systems
POS systems can automate many
tasks, including order taking,
payment processing, and inventory
management. This can decrease
the number of employees needed to
handle these tasks.
5. Robotics and Automation
Food preparation and cooking can
be automated by using robotic
systems that can chop, mix, and cook
ingredients. This may help cut the
number of kitchen staff required to
prepare food.
6. Inventory Management
Software
Foodservice organizations can use
inventory management software to
track stock levels, monitor product
usage, and forecast demand. This can
help reduce the number of employees
needed to manage inventory manually.
Many of the major food distributors
offer software to their customers to
help automate inventory and trigger
auto ordering.
7. Digital Menu Boards
Digital menu boards can replace static
menu boards and can be updated
easily with new pricing, promotions,
or menu items. This may help decrease
the need for employees to change
menu boards manually, freeing them
up to handle other important tasks.
8. Food Safety Monitoring
Systems
Automated food safety monitoring
systems can help ensure that food
is stored and prepared according
to safety guidelines, including 24/7
monitoring of refrigeration. This can
reduce the need for employees to
perform time-consuming manual food
safety checks.
9. Online Training and
Communication
Online applications or software can
also be used to deliver training and
communication to employees, both
in-house and remotely. This may
reduce the need for in-person training
sessions and meetings, and can help
ensure safety and proficiency in the
workplace.
10. Automated Warewashing
By using an automated three
compartment sink or a warewashing
machine, you can cut the number of
staff members needed to wash dishes
and clean up after customers.
11. Scheduling Applications
There are many choices available
today to help manage schedules
and provide tools to your team to
manage their shifts and to better
coordinate production and shift
coverage. According to a recent Boston
Consulting Group study, 50 percent
of at-risk deskless workers have
considered quitting due to a lack of
flexibility and poor work-life balance,
so adopting one of these tools puts
more control back into the employees'
hands, which could help decrease
turnover.
NUTRITION & F OOD SER VICE EDGE | MAY-JUNE 2023 31
Nutrition & Foodservice Edge Magazine - May/June 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Nutrition & Foodservice Edge Magazine - May/June 2023
