How is digitalization boosting fast-food profitability?

Today, digitalization is much more than just a trend: it can really make a difference for fast-food outlets. Do you work in the catering industry? So you know how fierce the competition is, and that every euro counts. But what would you say if we told you that investing in digital technologies could not only save you time, but also boost your profits? 

Let's take a look at how digitalization can help you cut costs, boost sales, improve the customer experience and manage your business to ultimately boost profitability.

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1. Cost reduction

Here are a few areas where technology plays a crucial role in reducing costs:

Error reduction

Human error can be costly, especially in a fast-paced environment like fast food. Thanks to digital ordering systems, such as kiosks or mobile applications, the risk of ordering or payment errors is considerably reduced. 

Customers enter their orders themselves, minimizing the risk of misunderstandings with staff and improving the accuracy of information transmitted to the kitchen. The result: less waste and lower costs for error correction. errors.

Staff optimization

Digitalization makes personnel management more flexible and efficient. By automating certain repetitive tasks, such as taking orders, managing payments or managing stock and schedules, your employees can concentrate on higher value-added tasks, such as preparing dishes or welcoming customers. This reduces the number of waiters or cashiers needed, without sacrificing service quality. 

👉 To find out more : 10 tips for improving customer service in restaurants

Inventory management: reduced food waste

Inventory management software enables precise monitoring of stock levels in real time, reducing the risk of overstocks or shortages. For example, stock management applications can alert you to products nearing their expiration date, enabling you to better manage purchases and avoid food waste. 

This reduction in waste is not only good for the planet, it also reduces the costs associated with losses.

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2. Increased restaurant sales

Digitization isn't just about cutting costs, it's also about boosting your fast-food restaurant's sales, via a number of levers detailed below: 

Additional sales

Order kiosks and online ordering systems are powerful tools for generating additional sales. By offering menu suggestions or extras directly on the interface, you encourage customers to add complementary products to their order. For example, a customer ordering a burger might be suggested a portion of fries or a drink. This additional sale increases the value of the average basket, without you having to make the slightest effort. 

👉 Going further: Understanding upselling and cross-selling for your restaurant

Multiplying sales channels 

Digitalization is an excellent way to diversify your sales channels. In addition to in-store ordering, you can offer solutions such as Click & Collect or home delivery. With digital tools, customers can order in advance from their phones, simplifying the shopping experience. What's more, remote order management via partner delivery platforms (UberEats, Deliveroo, etc.) opens you up to a wider customer base, boosting your revenues.

Customer loyalty

A study by the Harvard Business Review shows that retaining a customer costs 5 to 25 times less than acquiring a new one. Digital solutions offer personalized loyalty programs, enabling you to reward your most loyal guests with special offers or discounts. What's more, by collecting data on consumer habits, you can propose even more targeted offers, increasing the likelihood of your customers returning.

3. Better customer experience

According to a study conducted jointly by the Groupement National des Indépendants (GNI) Hôtellerie & Restauration and Sunday, 70% of restaurateurs consider technology to be an essential ally in improving the customer experience. Here are just some of the benefits it has to offer:

Reduced waiting time

Order kiosks and mobile apps enable customers to place their orders more quickly, reducing queues and improving service fluidity. Less waiting means an improved customer experience, and therefore better customer satisfaction, which can translate into more frequent returns and increased sales.

Order customization

Digitization means that orders can be highly personalized. Customers can specify their preferences (allergies, specific ingredients, etc.) directly via the digital interface, enabling more precise personalization and better service. This enhances the customer experience, while reducing errors linked to special requests not being taken into account.

Greater accessibility

Digital systems are often multilingual, attracting an international clientele. What's more, these tools generally accept all modern payment methods (credit cards, mobile payments, etc.). This makes the purchasing process much simpler.

👉 To find out more: Surpass your competitors in 2025: digitalization as your secret weapon

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4. Better business management

Digitization also enables you to manage your business more transparently and efficiently.

Real-time performance monitoring

Digital tools enable you to monitor your restaurant's performance in real time : sales, orders, peak hours, etc. This analysis enables you to adjust your strategies in line with actual data and maximize profitability. You can also spot trends and adjust your offer accordingly.

Synchronization with the kitchen

Orders placed on kiosks or via apps are immediately sent to the kitchen, reducing preparation times and the risk of confusion. Note also that perfect synchronization between front and back office allows orders to be managed more fluidly and rapidly, resulting in greater operational efficiency.

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5. Competitive advantage

Image de marque

Today's consumers expect modern, convenient services, and that's exactly what you can offer them by adopting digital tools. You'll also enhance your establishment's image by showing that you're at the cutting edge of technology and attentive to your customers' needs.

Adapting to new consumer trends

Consumer habits are evolving rapidly and continuously, and digitalization is one way of responding to these changes. Accepting mobile payments, ordering online or via kiosks, and home delivery are now part of basic customer expectations. By offering these options, you position yourself as a modern, innovative player, ready to adapt to new trends.

👉 To find out more : 8 restaurant trends not to be missed in 2025

Calculate your profitability

Ratios you need to know

To know whether digitalization is profitable for you, it's important to know certain key ratios, such as cost of goods sold (COGS), net profitability rate, and return on investment (ROI) of the technologies you deploy. These indicators will enable you to measure the real impact of your digital investments on your profitability.

Our profitability simulator

At Innovorder, we've developed a profitability simulator to help you estimate the impact of digitalization on your restaurant. Want to run your own simulation? Visit our profitability simulator.

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Digitalization is an essential lever for fast-food outlets, enabling them to cut costs, boost sales, improve the customer experience and optimize operational management. All this has a considerable impact on your establishment's profitability, so don't delay, invest in digitalization and boost your restaurant's profits!

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Would you like to optimize the profitability of your fast-food restaurant through digitalization? Talk to an Innovorder expert and find the right solutions for your restaurant!