Labour Shortages & Wage Increases: How F&B Takeaway Food Kiosks Adapt

Liang Wei Liaw • September 2, 2024

The F&B industry, particularly takeaway food kiosks, has been grappling with significant challenges in recent years. Among these, labor shortages and rising wages have become pressing issues, forcing many businesses to rethink their operations and adopt innovative solutions to stay competitive.

The Impact of Labour Shortages and Wage Increases

Labor shortages in the F&B industry have been driven by various factors, including the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, shifting job preferences, and an aging workforce. As a result, many takeaway food kiosks are struggling to find and retain staff, leading to operational inefficiencies and increased pressure on existing employees.

At the same time, to attract and retain the limited workforce available, businesses are compelled to offer higher wages and better benefits. While this move is essential for maintaining staff morale and ensuring quality service, it also increases operational costs, which can be particularly challenging for small-scale takeaway kiosks.

Adapting to the Challenges

To address these challenges, many F&B takeaway food kiosks are turning to technology and innovative business practices. Below are some strategies that these businesses are adopting:

1. Automation and Self-Service Technologies

Automation has become a crucial tool in mitigating labor shortages. By integrating self-service technologies like QR ordering and self-ordering kiosks, takeaway food kiosks can reduce the reliance on staff for taking orders and processing payments. Customers can place their orders directly from their smartphones or at the kiosk, which not only speeds up the service but also frees up staff to focus on food preparation and customer interaction.

2. Optimizing Workforce Management

With a smaller workforce, effective management becomes more critical. F&B takeaway food kiosks are adopting advanced POS systems with integrated employee management features. These systems help in optimizing shift schedules, tracking performance, and ensuring that the right number of staff are on hand during peak hours. This strategic approach minimizes labor costs while maintaining service quality.

3. Streamlined Operations

Streamlining operations is another key strategy for adapting to labor shortages and wage increases. Many takeaway food kiosks are leveraging technology to automate routine tasks such as inventory management, order processing, and customer data collection. By reducing the manual workload, businesses can operate more efficiently with fewer staff, thereby controlling costs.

4. Flexible Staffing Solutions

Some takeaway kiosks are exploring flexible staffing models, such as hiring part-time or temporary workers during peak periods. This approach allows businesses to scale their workforce according to demand without committing to full-time salaries. Additionally, some kiosks are partnering with staffing agencies to quickly fill temporary positions during unexpected staff shortages.

5. Enhancing Employee Retention

Retaining existing employees is crucial in an environment where finding new staff is increasingly difficult. To achieve this, many F&B takeaway food kiosks are offering competitive wages, performance-based bonuses, and other benefits such as training opportunities and career development programs. A positive work environment and clear paths for growth can significantly improve employee loyalty and reduce turnover.

The Role of Technology in Overcoming Challenges

Technology plays a central role in helping F&B takeaway food kiosks adapt to labor shortages and wage increases. POS systems with integrated features for workforce management, self-service kiosks, and QR ordering are not just conveniences but essential tools for maintaining efficiency and profitability in a challenging market.

By embracing these technologies, takeaway kiosks can not only survive but thrive in an environment marked by labor shortages and rising wages. These innovations allow businesses to maintain high levels of customer service while controlling operational costs, ensuring long-term sustainability in the competitive F&B sector.

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Self Ordering Kiosk + CRM For Canteens. Be a More Profitable Than Your Competitors

By Liang Wei Liaw • April 23, 2025

The current F&B industry in Singapore is competitive and tough. More and more dining options apperaring near one another, spoiling consumers with endless choices. Customers who were once dining at your canteen 5 days a week are now splitting that 5 days with probably another 2 or 3 competitors around your canteen. But not to worry as here are still ways to help you boost your profits while controlling or even lowering your costs. Implementing self ordering kiosks and CRM solutions at your canteen are two simple 2 ways you could go about doing that. Benefits of Self-Ordering Kiosk Enhanced Efficiency and Reduced Wait Times Self-ordering kiosks streamline the ordering process, allowing multiple users to place orders simultaneously, which reduces congestion and wait times. Increased Average Order Value Kiosks can suggest add-ons and upgrades during the ordering process, leading to higher average ticket sizes. Improved Order Accuracy By enabling customers to input their orders directly, kiosks minimize miscommunication, leading to more accurate order fulfillment. Labor Cost Optimization Automating the ordering process reduces the need for dedicated order-taking staff, allowing personnel to focus on food preparation and other essential tasks. Advantages of CRM Integration Personalized Customer Experience CRM systems track individual customer preferences and order histories, enabling personalized meal suggestions and promotions, which enhance satisfaction and encourage repeat visits. Effective Loyalty Programs Integrating CRM with loyalty programs allows for tracking customer purchases and rewarding frequent diners with discounts or special offers, fostering customer retention. Data-Driven Menu Optimization Analyzing CRM data helps identify popular dishes and adjust menus accordingly, ensuring offerings align with customer preferences and reducing food waste. Targeted Marketing Campaigns CRM platforms facilitate the implementation of targeted marketing efforts by segmenting customers based on their behavior and preferences, leading to more effective promotions. By adopting self-ordering kiosks and CRM systems, canteens can enhance operational efficiency, provide a more personalized dining experience, and implement strategic marketing initiatives, ultimately leading to increased customer satisfaction and profitability. If you are interested in self ordering kiosks , CRM solutions or a POS system for your canteen, click here to find out more!

How The Latest Tariffs Might Impact Singapore's F&B Industry & How Restuarant & Cafe Owners Can Overcome It

By Liang Wei Liaw • April 10, 2025

The introduction of a universal 10% tariff by the U.S. government has implications for global trade, with Singapore's Food and Beverage (F&B) sector among those affected. Understanding these impacts and implementing effective strategies is crucial for restaurant and café owners to maintain their competitive edge. Overview of the Tariffs The U.S. has imposed a 10% tariff on all imports, affecting countries worldwide, including Singapore. These tariffs are intended to protect domestic industries but have far-reaching effects on international trade partners. Potential Effects on Singapore's F&B Industry Given the F&B sector's dependence on imported goods, the tariffs are expected to raise the cost of ingredients and supplies. This increase may lead to higher menu prices, which could impact customer spending behavior and overall business performance. Adaptive Measures for F&B Operators To counteract the negative effects of the tariffs, F&B businesses might consider: Exploring Local Alternatives : Sourcing ingredients locally can reduce reliance on imported goods and associated tariffs. Investing in Technology : Utilizing technology to streamline operations can lead to cost savings and improved efficiency. Menu Engineering : Redesigning menus to focus on high-margin items and cost-effective ingredients can help maintain profitability. Financial Planning : Regular financial analysis can identify areas to cut costs and improve operational efficiency. Leveraging Government Initiatives Singapore's government has established task forces to monitor and address the impact of the tariffs. Businesses are encouraged to stay informed about available assistance and participate in dialogues to voice their concerns and needs. Conclusion The imposition of U.S. tariffs necessitates a strategic response from Singapore's F&B businesses. By adopting adaptive measures and utilizing available resources, restaurant and café owners can navigate these challenges and continue to thrive in a changing economic landscape.

How to overcome rising cost and profit more? Here are how restaurants can use technology to help

By Liang Wei Liaw • April 7, 2025

The increasing costs in Singapore's F&B sector necessitate innovative strategies for restaurants to maintain profitability. Leveraging technologies such as POS systems , QR ordering , self-ordering , and CRM can significantly contribute to cost management and revenue enhancement. 1. Streamlining Operations with Advanced POS Systems Modern POS systems offer more than transaction processing; they integrate various aspects of restaurant management, including sales tracking, inventory control, and customer data management. This integration facilitates informed decision-making and operational efficiency. 2. Implementing QR and Self-Ordering Technologies QR ordering and self-ordering solutions enable customers to independently browse menus and place orders, reducing reliance on service staff and minimizing order errors. This autonomy enhances the dining experience and allows staff to focus on other critical areas, such as food preparation and customer engagement. 3. Leveraging CRM for Customer Retention A robust CRM system helps in building detailed customer profiles, allowing restaurants to personalize communication and offers. Targeted promotions and tailored experiences increase customer satisfaction and encourage repeat visits, which are vital for sustained profitability. 4. Optimizing Resource Allocation Integrating these technologies provides valuable insights into peak dining times and popular menu items, aiding in efficient staff scheduling and inventory purchasing. This optimization reduces unnecessary expenditures and ensures resources are allocated effectively. Conclusion For Singapore restaurants facing rising operational costs, adopting technologies like POS systems , QR ordering , self-ordering , and CRM is a strategic move. These tools not only streamline operations and reduce costs but also enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty, ultimately leading to increased profitability.