McDonald’s is researching how to use blockchain technology to make their production chain more transparent. By linking and analyzing data from their suppliers, they can optimize the route from ‘farmer’ to ‘burger’.  "This technology offers us the opportunity to see a truly transparent picture of our investment across the digital supply chain," according to McDonald's Senior Media and Budget Manager Kat Howcroft. Nestlé and Virgin Media are also participating in the research. 

Wendy’s doesn’t just have a single technology department. In 2015 the chain launched its own in-house tech innovation lab called 90 Degrees Lab. In the laboratory, the brand optimizes digital customer experience. One recent development is the personalization of orders using customer details. Customers can indicate their personal preferences through their own account in the app. A burger without pickles, with extra sauce, no salad, etc. No more one-size-fits-all products, but instead products customized to fit the specific wishes of each customer. 

In 2018, Taco Bell received the Innovation Award for Self-Service Technology. This award recognizes the best in innovative customer experiences in public interactive solutions. For many years the Tex-Mex chain has been an inspiration for the food industry with regard to technology. Taco Bell was the first business to enable customers to place orders through a mobile app and to pay for them in advance. In their latest development, customers on the app are situated in a QSR space: a uniform approach to the restaurant.

KFC is partnering with the Chinese search engine Baidu on a technology that can recognize faces, enabling customers to pay for their orders using their face. In addition, the system analyses sex and age and tries to determine in what kind of mood someone is, based on their facial expression. Using the information analysis, the technology behind the ordering system then offers personalized recommendations. The system is designed so that customers see these suggestions before they make their choice.

You don’t always have to invent or create technological innovations yourself. Sometimes it’s just as smart, or even smarter, to make use of existing facilities. In 2018, based on that notion, Subway launched the option to place orders through Facebook Messenger.  “We’re just trying to make an order as easy as possible, and as frictionless as possible. Why do you need 27 steps to order a sandwich? We have a whole team of people trying to reduce the clicks a customer needs to order and pay,” says Chief Digital Officer Carissa Genalli.

Is Starbucks a coffee enterprise that uses technology or is it an IT company that serves coffee? The business makes intensive use of data analysis for a variety of purposes, including to determine the most suitable locations for new stores. Worldwide, Starbucks employs 20 experts who link data about population density, average incomes, and traffic flows to geographical information. Using their outcomes, the company decides which locations are suitable for new outlets. 

Cool concepts

  3 min

Technological  innovations

Cool concepts

Wendy’s doesn’t just have a single technology department. In 2015 the chain launched its own in-house tech innovation lab called 90 Degrees Lab. In the laboratory, the brand optimizes digital customer experience. One recent development is the personalization of orders using customer details. Customers can indicate their personal preferences through their own account in the app. A burger without pickles, with extra sauce, no salad, etc. No more one-size-fits-all products, but instead products customized to fit the specific wishes of each customer. 

KFC is partnering with the Chinese search engine Baidu on a technology that can recognize faces, enabling customers to pay for their orders using their face. In addition, the system analyses sex and age and tries to determine in what kind of mood someone is, based on their facial expression. Using the information analysis, the technology behind the ordering system then offers personalized recommendations. The system is designed so that customers see these suggestions before they make their choice.

You don’t always have to invent or create technological innovations yourself. Sometimes it’s just as smart, or even smarter, to make use of existing facilities. In 2018, based on that notion, Subway launched the option to place orders through Facebook Messenger.  “We’re just trying to make an order as easy as possible, and as frictionless as possible. Why do you need 27 steps to order a sandwich? We have a whole team of people trying to reduce the clicks a customer needs to order and pay,” says Chief Digital Officer Carissa Genalli.

In 2018, Taco Bell received the Innovation Award for Self-Service Technology. This award recognizes the best in innovative customer experiences in public interactive solutions. For many years the Tex-Mex chain has been an inspiration for the food industry with regard to technology. Taco Bell was the first business to enable customers to place orders through a mobile app and to pay for them in advance. In their latest development, customers on the app are situated in a QSR space: a uniform approach to the restaurant.

Is Starbucks a coffee enterprise that uses technology or is it an IT company that serves coffee? The business makes intensive use of data analysis for a variety of purposes, including to determine the most suitable locations for new stores. Worldwide, Starbucks employs 20 experts who link data about population density, average incomes, and traffic flows to geographical information. Using their outcomes, the company decides which locations are suitable for new outlets. 

McDonald’s is researching how to use blockchain technology to make their production chain more transparent. By linking and analyzing data from their suppliers, they can optimize the route from ‘farmer’ to ‘burger’.  "This technology offers us the opportunity to see a truly transparent picture of our investment across the digital supply chain," according to McDonald's Senior Media and Budget Manager Kat Howcroft. Nestlé and Virgin Media are also participating in the research. 

  3 min

Overview magazines

Food Inspiration Magazine is the online magazine for foodservice professionals in search of inspiration and innovation. With the magazine we collect, enrich and spread inspiration. The free subscription magazine is published eight times per year and is an abundant source of inspiration for food and hospitality professionals. Our readers can be found in the U.S., Northern Europe, Latin America and Asia.
Fullscreen