Mobile technology is revolutionizing nearly everything consumers do. From browsing price comparisons in the store to checking movie times for nearby theaters while you’re still on the road, it’s possible to streamline virtually every activity using your smartphone. Dining is one of the most recent additions to the world of mobile conveniences. Having a smart device powered by a fast 4g network like the sleek Samsung Galaxy S6 in hand when your stomach starts rumbling can make it easier than ever to find, order, and enjoy your meal.
Starbucks has established itself as one of the forerunners with mobile ordering. Customers with the app can place an order for their caffeine fix before they stumble out of the house so the steaming cup is waiting when they stroll in the door a few minutes later. Several pizza restaurants are utilizing similar technology by offering mobile ordering through their apps. Consumers are extremely receptive to this type of technology, with 74 percent of those aged 18 to 34 saying they would order delivery or takeout through a mobile device if it was available.
If you’re in the mood for a more leisurely meal, your smartphone can help here, too. Restaurant finder apps are hardly new, offering locations, phone numbers, menus, and reviews on the fly, so you can pinpoint the best options in your vicinity. Reservation apps are joining the scene as well, making it easy to snag a table before you arrive to minimize your wait.
Mobile conveniences extend all the way into the restaurant. Thirty percent of consumers have used a restaurant’s app to pay their bill. Forrester predicts that mobile payments will reach $142 billion by 2019 as people ditch their wallets for the convenience of paying with a smartphone. Thanks to smartphones, the traditional dining experience may never be quite the same again. Read on to learn more about how technology is changing the way we dine.
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