Fast Casual: 6 Ways Technology Can Conquer 2017’s Top Challenges

Between increases in minimum wage and same-store sales growth across most segments of the restaurant industry, restaurant operators had a busy 2016.

“We're such a huge part of the U.S. and global economy — a huge part of the lives of a lot of people who dine with us daily,” writes David Cantu, co-founder and chief revenue officer of HotSchedules. “As a result, we're always going to be at the center of change and we'll always have to deal with a degree of unpredictability. Looking forward to 2017, the technology trend line will be in lock step with the complexity trend line.”

For Fast Casual, Cantu laid out how technology can help the restaurant industry manage the challenges ahead, including wage increases, overtime regulations, labor forecasting and brand makeovers.

“What we know for sure in 2017, is that technology is no longer a nice-to-have, it's a competitive edge with your consumers and your employees,” writes Cantu. “Staying competitive, means restaurants will have to cultivate a culture of technology, engagement and collaboration and then empower their teams to use to navigate, control, optimize, plan or power through and succeed in spite of whatever the market throws your way.”