NFS tech group

When the UK government announced its immigration plan in December, it was greeted with dismay by the hospitality industry. Kate Nicholls of the industry body UK Hospitality , told The Caterer: “The central plank of government’s immigration policy, to cut off lower-skilled migration with a salary threshold, is  fundamentally flawed  and will damage the hospitality sector and the wider UK economy.” It’s another worry for a hardworking industry that is already facing severe skills and labour shortages – to the point where The Observer newspaper carried a story in 2018 entitled: “The  great British chef shortage  – why eating out is under threat.” As Brexit has approached, the UK hospitality workforce – which is estimated to be around 6m people – has been disappearing. In fact, it has been suggested by the British Hospitality Association that the industry could face a staff shortfall of over a million workers by 2029. The natural result of this skills and...

With profits falling, calls for calorie labelling on menus and the growing requirement for tight allergen controls, the necessity for efficient, accurate restaurant management software has never been greater.  Thankfully, technology brands are stepping up to the plate, developing cutting edge software and creating strategic partnerships to give the hospitality industry the tools to make their operations safe and profitable. Kitchen CUT are thrilled to announce their partnership with NFS Technology – the provider of leading restaurant  EPOS system Aloha .   With Aloha and Kitchen CUT working in tandem, hospitality teams have the tools necessary to keep tight control of ingredients, recipes, menus and all important profits. NFS Head of Sales for Hospitality, Chris Cartmell, identified the benefits of the new collaboration, saying: “The system allows tight cost controls and highlights any potential allergens in ingredients.  This live information is the...

A recent survey showed UK venues feel they’re making slow progress towards digital transformation – yet venue management technology makes a significant contribution to streamlining operations. Our new infographic shows 5 ways software improves venue operations, helping sales teams and managers run their businesses more efficiently. Luis De Souza, CEO of NFS Technology, said: “The survey of UK venues gave us a major insight into how venues are using software – and how they have a huge need for more flexible venue management technology. “The venue business is booming, and we’re evolving our own Rendezvous venue management technology to meet the complex and changing demands of these vibrant businesses.” See what the survey revealed –  DOWNLOAD  the ebook now! Discover  the benefits of the latest venue management technology.

Predictions for the UK restaurant trade are fairly upbeat as the country heads even further into Brexit turmoil. Foodservice visits could rise by a huge  93m in 2019  according to one source, as consumers continue to choose to spend their cash on food. They have a little more disposable income, too, with UK employment higher than ever before, and with  wages rising  at the highest rate in a decade while interest rates remain low. So which 7 trends will shape dining in 2019 – and how will  restaurant EPOS  technology feed into them? Join me for brunch? All the signs are that UK diners are eating out less in the evening, and choosing less formal dining when they do. However, that’s doesn’t mean they’ve stopped eating out. It’s predicted that there will be steady growth in going out for breakfast and brunch, already a popular trend throughout 2018. Lunch will remain a big market this year and is estimated to rise by about 2%. For these bu...

What do Google, Dixons, Marriott, Fifa, Uber, Quora and Facebook have in common? On the face of it not much – but they’re just few of the famous organisations which have fallen foul of serious data breaches since  GDPR came into force  in May 2018. And with many other organisations still struggling to get to grips with the data legislation, is there something hospitality businesses need to learn from their experience? The  Cambridge Analytica scandal  may have caused Facebook some serious reputational damage and some tricky scrutiny, but it is now apparent that the regulations are hitting companies where it hurts most – their wallets. The most recent and largest recipient of a GDPR -related fine is Google, hit with a £44m fine by France’s CNIL data watchdog. Although this seems a lot, given that the maximum fine is 4% of global turnover it is a relative bargain compared to the £3 billion it could have been. It remains to be seen what the long-term effec...

Is your restaurant doing enough to stand out ? Try these 6 great EPOS promotional ideas Like all restaurateurs, you know your establishment lives and die by repeat business – making customers so happy that they’ll not only come back again but also recommend you. Building up this kind of loyal clientele, though, can be tough when there’s so much competition. One of the main problems, according to Trish Caddy, a food service analyst for  Mintel , is this: “ Foodservice operators that base their strategy around promotions are not doing enough to stand out,” she says. “Brands also need to show that they care about the well-being of their customers by responding with menu choices that cater to healthy lifestyles .” Trish has a point. Who doesn’t love a money-off voucher? It only really works, thought, if it’s giving a discount on something you really want. So what can you do to lift your restaurant promotions out of the humdrum and make them stand out? Restaurants wi...

Is it really possible that not too long ago, business experts were predicting the end of meetings? They couldn’t have been more wrong; a survey last year showed that British workers spend  more than 10 hours every week  taking part in more than four meetings each. That’s a lot of meeting space needed… So it’s really no surprise that venues across the UK are reporting a boom in meeting bookings, particularly for small or urgent last-minute meetings. And as many companies downsize their premises in response to more agile working, this demand is likely to grow, too. But is your venue well-placed to take advantage of this growing revenue opportunity? For venues looking to make the most of this trend, the keyword is ‘urgent’. Fulfilling those got-to-get-together-somewhere-fast needs is a cut-throat business where only the quickest and most efficient win. So how can your venue satisfy this urgent need – and also deliver the kind of superb meeting experience that...

We’ve seen the rise and rise of the super- demanding diner  in recent years, grazing to the latest food trends and making a meal of their ethics. For restaurants competing to win their business, it’s a constant battle to keep up with the latest ideas and innovative offerings. For example, disruptive Deliveroo has recently  announced  that they plan to let restaurants on their platform offer dish-by-dish calorie information. Big groups including Jamie’s Italian, Yo! Sushi and Pho are among those snapping up the opportunity. It’s tough to keep up with the trends: clean eating, Veganuary, ethical eating, casual dining; but crucial if you want to succeed. And that’s why the restaurant industry has a strong trend of its own – deploying restaurant management systems. Restaurant EPOS  software is proving to be invaluable in the never-ending battle between the hospitality industry and its demons: rising costs, poor efficiency and waste. Restaurant management...

Here’s some food for thought: is there really any point in your  workplace  these days? You might say: of course – but are you still thinking in outdated ways that could cost your business dearly? Until about 10 years ago, workplaces jogged along much the way they’d done forever. 9 to 5, in the office, sitting at your desk, sitting in meeting rooms… Not any more. Today, with the increasing popularity of  agile working , work is more about activity than location and increasingly, you can do it anywhere. So it’s time to rethink what your workplace is REALLY for – and how you can get maximum value our of it for your business and your staff. The number one question to ask yourself is: What does my workplace actually bring to the party? What businesses need most from a modern-day, flexible workplace is the creation of a great working environment where staff can tackle their work easily and enjoy it. Get it right, and it boosts your productivity a...

Are your workers more digitally-mature than your organisation  – and just waiting for you to catch up so they can do their jobs better? That’s what 71% of company executives believe, according to  recent research  by Accenture. Ready for Human +? The tech giant warns that companies will need to support new ways of working in a world where ‘human +’ workers find their skill sets and knowledge boosted by technology. If your business already embraces the amazing capabilities provided by technology such as meeting room software, you’ll know the benefits in terms of increased productivity and worker wellbeing. Providing a working environment where collaboration thrives is a great idea – it’s a powerhouse of innovation, generating team spirit and excellent engagement that creates dividends for your business. Meeting room software  has developed in response to the fast-moving pace of change in the way we work. It provides key technological supp...