Digitally transform your restaurant operations with the Connected Restaurant Program

In this age of digitization and changing consumer preferences, keeping the competitive advantage is critical for restaurant chains. However, restaurant chain operators face challenges in monitoring and optimizing their operations, across the network. Although the emerging Internet of Things (IoT) technologies offer great promise, operators must navigate the complexity of technology, connectivity, data security, equipment diversity and in most cases, connecting to multiple cloud services. They must also address a portfolio of restaurant formats and a wide variety of restaurant equipment in various stages of advancement. Further, diverse regional weather patterns across restaurant sites is a variable that most operators do not manage. In the USA, most restaurants use energy-efficient lighting, and many use U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Energy Star®- rated kitchen equipment, but staff may not have the time or skillset to understand the technology and use it correctly. Some restaurants are yet to get ‘connected’. They still rely on offline tools to manage their operational costs. In other cases, restaurants are connected but operators do not have the expertise to analyze the data and generate insights that are actionable. Even those using analytics in some form, need to log on to multiple cloud platforms to access information about various equipment, making it difficult and time-consuming to manage. Additionally, there is the need to have a centralized team that can ensure implementation across the network by coordinating with employees, service partners, and equipment suppliers.

A full-stack IoT solution offering seamless connectivity, secure cloud services and actionable analytical insights, all implemented by rigorous centralized operations center is what restaurant operators need to dive into the digital age.

The Connected Restaurant Program uses the CORTIX IoT suite. The in-restaurant part of the solution consists of the CORTIXedge system which is an intelligent kit of robust IoT hardware modules. It includes meters, sensors, controllers, and gateway that is quick, simple and easy to install. The CORTIXedge system is also provided with regular software, firmware, and intelligence updates. It offers a simplified interface that integrates nearly all information from the IoT and Building Management System environments into a single view. Operators then have the task of prioritizing actions across the network and arriving at the best course of action. Typically, operators tend to respond to problems only after they occur. With our context-based approach and CORTIX platform, they can now run operations in a proactive manner. These predictive insights on process and equipment irregularities, enable managers to prioritize actions, sometimes even 2-4 weeks in advance.

Given that restaurant operators need to be more focused on their customers than numerous insights from the platform, the day to day implementation rigor and responsibility is taken up by our BluEdge™ Command Centers. The BluEdge™ Command Centers consist of teams of domain experts, data scientists, analysts, controls engineers who manage requisite interventions, define action plans and ensure their comprehensive completion in a timely manner. The team ensures that the predictive insights are deployed to proactively intervene on issues before they develop into major problems. They also look at the trends of developing problems and work with the operators to ensure that necessary technology and process changes are carried out to improve operations and equipment performance.

A case in point is how we reduce energy consumption for restaurants. As per the EPA, restaurants are extremely energy-intensive, using about 5 to 7 times more energy per square foot than other commercial facilities, such as office buildings and retail stores. High-volume quick-service restaurants (QSR) may even use up to 10 times more energy per square foot than other commercial buildings! Beyond the energy demand created through heating, cooling, and lighting, the cost of sanitation and the utilities required to run cooking equipment add to the energy spend and make up a significant portion of the operating expenses.

To drive down energy costs, the CORTIX platform uses our patented Service Window™ framework and understands the correlation between energy consumption patterns and operations patterns across restaurants. Service windows are the unique energy profiles of a typical restaurant during its daily operations. The energy profiles are results of business volume, weather, equipment usage, etc. Energy profiles for each of these service windows (crew setup, peak business hours, lean business hours, crew shutdown hours, and non-operational hours) are different. They are repeated every day with a fair degree of consistency. Based on effective monitoring of energy consumption in these service windows, we identify opportunities to optimize and act on them proactively. This focus, across service windows, leads to operational improvements and savings.

3 Waves Approach

Our proprietary 3 Waves approach is a comprehensive, 3-step digital transformation process that enables us to maximize efficiency, minimize maintenance costs, enhance guest comfort, and ensure occupant safety.

Restaurant operators are increasingly looking to minimize energy waste, ensure food safety, improve equipment performance and reduce operational costs. Our Connected Restaurant Program is a comprehensive solution that is designed to help restaurant operators succeed.

To learn more, reach us at [email protected] and transform your restaurant chain today.