The global food service market reached a significant value of US$1,721.5 billion in 2022, with optimistic projections for the coming years. According to Market Research Future's "Food Service Market Trends" study, this segment is expected to reach US$1,249.067 billion by 2032 (i.e., a value close to R$1,35 billion), with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11,501,000.
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 boosted the sector. Given this scenario, investment 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 specializing in food service management, many establishments still face challenges in transitioning to the digital environment, resulting in financial and operational efficiency losses.
"The transition to a paperless environment is an essential step toward modernizing the industry. Although many resist the change, adopting digital technologies can bring significant benefits, such as greater operational efficiency and a better customer experience."
One example is the use of technology to fulfill tax and business obligations, where many documents have deadlines and require storage. Or, alternatively, 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. "Serving customers in a more personalized way and integrating different contact methods improves operations and leads to loyalty," explains Francisco Gioielli, CEO of Atena.ai, a company specializing in automation.
When it comes to inventory, going paperless is essential both to avoid waste and to ensure responsible consumption. After all, keeping inventory organized and up-to-date saves time and money. "With digitalized inventory and real-time information, it's possible to avoid unnecessary purchases, eliminate the depreciation of unused supplies, and even increase market competitiveness, as it's possible to negotiate prices with suppliers based on your establishment's true demand," Drechmer points out.
Paperless Food Service: How to Take the First Step?
First and foremost, food service owners must remember that "you can't bite off more than you can chew," as the saying goes. "In other words, it's a gradual process that will require investment in advanced technology. Furthermore, open communication with different generations of professionals will also be essential, since younger people tend to be more technologically inclined," comments Gioelli.
Initially, online forms will help replace printed forms and offer an alternative way to fill out data. These forms must also be kept up to date and comply with the General Data Protection Law (LGPD). For this to happen, and for the next step, data analysis, a management system is required.
Drechmer states that one of the main challenges facing the sector today is still resistance to digital technology. He believes it's essential to embrace a new cultural shift. This includes involving employees in all phases of the digital transformation process, providing effective training and ongoing support. Furthermore, it's crucial to highlight the benefits of a paperless system, such as greater cost reduction, reduced rework, environmental sustainability, and optimized operations.
A new feature to be launched soon by ACOM reinforces the company's commitment to further expanding its digital footprint. The new solution focuses on supporting business activity control, managing the sales process, and monitoring operating expenses. Ultimately, this translates into faster and more strategic business analysis using tools such as the Income Statement (DRE). The solution 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 both in management and in results. We want the client to benefit, whether through agility, increasing the number of customers, or optimizing the workforce, which is already scarce. The goal is for them to become more competitive and ensure consistently more satisfactory results in the end," emphasizes ACOM's CEO.