Restaurant industry shielded from tech disruption
While all sorts of industries, from hotels and motels, taxis, financial advisers and newspapers, are being disrupted by technology, restaurants are somehow insulated.
Merivale Group's Justin Hemmes, who owns more than 65 restaurants, bars, pubs and hotels, puts it down to the craving for real social interaction that you get in restaurants.
Speaking at the Australian Top Restaurants of Food Forum at Sydney's The Star on Monday, Hemmes said that technology was increasingly being used as a tool by restaurants trying to get closer to their customer but the aim was to "streamline dining process but not interrupt it".
"I feel that we're one of the few industries that will be less disrupted by technology than most," Mr Hemmes said.
"It drives people to embrace the social element of dining and drinking...because people crave more social interaction. I feel that thankfully, it's not going to disrupt our industry, it will probably enhance it."
Technology’s impact on the industry, including trends like UberEats, was a subject of much panel discussion involving some of the country's top chefs and restaurant owners.
The panel discussions were moderated by Terry Durack, Jill Dupleix and Max Allen.
In the discussions, there were some who said technology did have an impact.
UberEats' Queensland general manager Susan Anderson said business in Australia was doing better than expected.
"When we talk to our retailers, we're not getting feedback that there is impact on in-room dining," Ms Anderson said.
"It's the food industry going through e-commerce change. There's a different experience that some customers want...we're seeing breakfast, we're seeing a lot of healthy food as one of the top searched for terms...people are busy so they use it as a way to feed their families.”
Bar Liberty co-owner and sommelier Banjo Harris Plane said technology had an impact on the way wine lists were selected.
"In terms of knowledge, technology is a wonderful things...customers, guests come into the venue knowing a hell of a lot more than they did 10 years ago," Plane said.
by Leon Gettler, June 21st 2017
