New research from Barclaycard has revealed that busy Brits are demanding faster service and more convenient ways to pay when eating out and ordering takeaways for delivery.
Barclaycard said that, as dining habits change, the pressure is mounting on restaurant owners to respond with technology that balances both the need for speed with providing a more personalised dining experience.
More than a quarter of UK adults now dine out at least once a week, rising to over a third among 18-34 year olds. Even when it comes to eating at home, 13% of consumers admit to ordering meals from restaurants through online tools and apps such as Just Eat and Deliveroo on a weekly basis.
Dining choices are changing mostly for convenience (56%) but also as a result of increased disposable incomes (28%) with restaurant spending reaching a 15-month high, up 14.9% year-on-year in August.
The customers surveyed by Barclaycard prioritise quick service (37%) over value (21%) and menu choice (33%). And consumers report that slow service is the most frustrating part of the dining experience, with almost 60% losing patience when their food takes too long to arrive. When in a restaurant, 49% also become impatient when left to wait too long to pay at the end of their meal.
15% of consumers said they were drawn to restaurants with contactless and mobile payments.© ING Nederland
But, most importantly, the research underlines the need for foodservice companies to adopt new technologies, such as bill-splitting apps and ways to make paying quicker and easier, in order to continue to offer a quick and convenient experience.
Consumers more likely to choose venues that offer contactless payments (15%), the option to pre-order and pay with an app for both delivery and eating in a restaurant (15%), and payment by mobile device at the table (14%).
Sharon Manikon, customer solutions director for Barclaycard, said: “Time is of the essence for today’s busy Brits and this need for speed now seems to be translating to the dining experience. But instead of being a special treat, eating out and ordering food in are increasingly becoming the norm, with consumers turning to restaurants and delivery services to provide quick and easy meal-time options, whether it’s a bite to eat after work or a mid-week takeaway ordered from a mobile device on the move.
“As the restaurant sector enters a new era of ‘dining-on-demand’, the industry needs to respond with the right technology to improve the service and experience they provide, or risk getting left behind by their more savvy competitors. By introducing a personal touch, such as apps which allow diners to pre-order and pay for meals in advance, or tools that enable bills to be split per head, restaurateurs can ensure they keep customers’ appetites for enjoyable food and high-quality service well and truly satisfied.”
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024