Digital Tools for Full Service Restaurant

Welcome to the course. Today, we live in a digital age where technology plays a critical role in every industry, including Full Service Restaurants. Email, scheduling apps, and communication tools are some of the digital tools that are instrumental in enhancing operations in this industry. For instance, Olive Garden uses digital tools to take orders, manage staff schedules, and communicate with customers and staff. This course will equip you with knowledge and skills on how to use these digital tools effectively. You'll learn how to use email for communication, managing reservations, and marketing. You'll also get familiar with scheduling apps that can help manage staff shifts and reservations. Lastly, we'll explore communication tools that can facilitate seamless communication between the kitchen, waitstaff, and management.

Now, let's delve into the core concepts. Starting with email, it's not just for communication, but also for managing reservations, and for marketing. You can use tools like MailChimp for creating newsletters and promotional emails. Scheduling apps like 7shifts and OpenTable can help manage staff shifts and reservations. These apps allow for easy shift swaps, time-off requests, and monitor staff availability. Communication tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams can be used for instant messaging, file sharing, and video conferencing. Remember PACT: Prioritize (focus on urgent and important communications), Automate (use apps to automate tasks), Consolidate (keep all information in one place), and Time-block (schedule specific times for checking and responding to emails). These are practical tips that you can apply in a Full Service Restaurant setting.

Let's look at a real-world application. Consider Applebee's during a busy dinner rush. The hostess uses OpenTable to manage reservations and table assignments, the manager uses 7shifts to manage staff shifts, and communication between the kitchen and waitstaff is facilitated through Slack. This integrated use of digital tools enables the restaurant to operate smoothly even during peak times. Key takeaways are the importance of digital tools in a Full Service Restaurant, the various uses of these tools, and how to apply the PACT technique. Your next step is to familiarize yourself with these tools and start implementing them in your daily operations.