The global food service market reached a significant value of US$ 2,721.5 billion in 2022, with optimistic projections for the coming years. According to the "Food Service Market Trends" research by Market Research Future, this segment is expected to reach US$ 7,249.067 billion by 2032 (approximately R$ 35 billion), with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.50%.
Among the main drivers are changes in tastes and food preferences, with a growing demand for ready-to-eat foods. Furthermore, the search for more innovative and personalized meal alternatives has driven the sector. In this scenario, investing in technology is essential to keep up with changes in consumer behavior, especially in the current context where delivery and apps have played a significant role.
However, according to Carlos Drechmer, CEO of ACOM Sistemas, a technology company for management in food service companies, many establishments still face challenges in the transition to the digital environment, resulting in financial and operational efficiency losses.
“The transition to a paperless environment is an essential step towards modernizing the industry. Although many resist the change, the adoption of digital technologies can bring significant benefits, such as greater operational efficiency and a better customer experience.”
An example is the use of technology in fulfilling tax and business commitments, where many documents have delivery deadlines and require storage. Or also, the use of omnichannel platforms, which integrate different communication and sales channels. This approach not only improves the customer experience but also optimizes internal processes. "Attending to the client in a more personalized way and integrating different contact methods helps in the operation and leads to customer loyalty," explains Francisco Gioielli, CEO of Atena.ai, a company specialized in automation.
Regarding inventories, paperless is essential both to avoid waste and to ensure conscious consumption. After all, keeping inventories organized and up to date is synonymous with saving time and money. "With the digitized inventory and real-time information, it is possible to avoid unnecessary purchases, eliminate depreciation of unused supplies, and even increase competitiveness in the market, since it is possible to negotiate prices with suppliers as the actual demand of your establishment is known," emphasizes Drechmer.
Paperless Food Service: how to take the first step?
First of all, it is important for food service establishment owners to keep in mind that "you can't take a step beyond your means," as the popular saying goes. In other words, it is a gradual process that will require investments in good technologies. Furthermore, honest communication with the different generations of professionals will also be necessary, since the younger they are, the greater their inclination towards the technological world, comments Gioelli.
Initially, online forms will help replace printed ones and provide an alternative for data entry. These must also always be up to date and comply with the provisions of the General Data Protection Law (LGPD). For this to happen and for the next step, which is the analysis of this data, a management system is necessary.
Drechmer states that one of the main challenges in the sector today is still resistance to digital. For him, it is essential to embrace a new cultural change. This includes involving employees in all phases of the digital transformation process, providing effective training and continuous support. Furthermore, it is essential to highlight the benefits of the paperless system, such as greater cost reduction, decreased rework, environmental sustainability, and optimized operation.
A new feature to be launched soon by ACOM reinforces the company's commitment to increasingly expanding the digital environment. The new solution focuses on supporting the control of business movements, managing the sales process, and also monitoring operational expenses. Ultimately, this results in a faster and more strategic business analysis through tools like the DRE – the Income Statement from accounting. The solution in question is already in the testing phase with some clients.
“Our goal is to facilitate the analysis of a company’s strengths and weaknesses, which can benefit the restaurant in terms of both management and results. We want the client to gain, whether in terms of agility, increasing the number of customers or optimizing the workforce, which is already scarce. The purpose is for the client to become more competitive and always ensure more satisfactory results in the end,” emphasizes the CEO of ACOM.
