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2022 Delivery & Pizzeria Technology Trends

Posted by Elizabeth Kelly

Elizabeth was the Marketing Specialist for SpeedLine Solutions from 2017 to 2021. As the previous Managing Editor for the On Point Blog, she ensured our audiences got the restaurant and delivery technology information and news that we're known for.

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As we look forward to 2022, we expect many restaurants will take what they’ve learned this year, and use that new knowledge to thrive. As unknown as 2022 will be, we’re once again putting together a few predictions for the new year:

 

Increased Cleanliness

If there is one good thing that comes from the last couple of years, it will be that people wash their hands more. COVID-19 has educated the average person on the real risks that viruses and bacteria pose. This means that your employees will likely be more mindful of food safety and regular cleaning. 

It also means they will be less likely to come to work while sick. And while that may make scheduling difficult, it will also lead to less flu and cold outbreaks among your staff. 

 

Delivery is Here to Stay

The restaurants that fared best during the pandemic have been those that already had delivery in place. They already had their processes down pat and the technology they needed to keep orders going. 

When we surveyed pizzerias, we found that 57% of them had actually seen an increase in sales from March to August. Pizza is traditionally a meal that is ordered for delivery, and with many people unable to go out to restaurants, they turned to it as a dependable alternative. 

Pizzerias also adapted to keep customers even safer, 60% added curbside pick-up, and 65% added contactless delivery options. Many have stated that they intend to continue offering these options even after the pandemic ends. 

"We don’t have dine-in. So we were built for pickup and delivery from the start, whereas a lot of places weren’t and started hurting." - Tom Dioguardi

In order to remain open, many other restaurant concepts copied the typical pizzeria model and introduced new menu items designed for delivery. Many have introduced full meal packages designed for families, including drinks, appetizers, and sides. Some depended on third-party delivery companies, while others began offering delivery themselves. 

These restaurants will continue to rely on delivery as we enter 2022.

 

Diversified Restaurant Models

Even pre-pandemic, many sit-down restaurants were seeing the rise of delivery as a convenient option for customers. As 2022 begins, we believe restaurants will begin accepting that having multiple revenue channels is the best way to keep themselves safe from disruption. 

This means offering delivery, opening new patios, partnering with other businesses, introducing new ordering methods, offering pre-prepared frozen meals, and more. 

Some restaurants are even operating separate brands for delivery out of their kitchen. These are called virtual restaurants, or ghost kitchens, and allow traditionally dine-in restaurants to experiment with delivery without harming their brand.  

 

Happy 2022!

No matter what challenges 2022 brings, the SpeedLine team will be here to support you. 


Posted on Wed, Dec 23, 2020 @ 07:12 AM.
Updated on November 30, 2021 @ 5:29 PM PST.


Tags: Restaurant Technology

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