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10 key technology trends and disruptors of 2021

From automation as a labor solution to the evolution of third-party delivery, here were the biggest restaurant technology stories of the year

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

December 21, 2021

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While 2020 was a transitional year for restaurants as operators scrambled to invest more in digital and contactless technology during the pandemic, this year the industry solidified what the post-pandemic tech of a successful restaurant looks like.

From ordering and paying for food tableside, to robots frying chickens and delivering pizzas, technology solutions are beginning to take the place of traditional manual labor jobs as the definition of hospitality evolves.

This year, we also saw the expansion of omnichannel ordering as guest demands for experiencing foodservice wherever and however they want continue to grow. Out of these changes in consumer needs, third-party delivery companies expanded their offerings to include alcohol and grocery delivery, and operators used consumer data to deliver more personalized digital options than ever.

Here’s a roundup of the biggest technology innovations, trends and disruptions of the year.

 

About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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