05/07/2012 -
For the seventh consecutive month, the restaurant industry has experienced strong growth, according to the National Restaurant Association's (NRA) Restaurant Performance Index (RPI). The numbers hovered around 101.4 for May, marking the seventh month the sector has kept the index above 100 - a number that signifies the health and outlook for the industry.The NRA also found 48 percent of restaurant owners and operators are optimistic about continued growth throughout the next six months, and 55 percent plan to make an investment in equipment or projects for expansion or remodeling.
Some restaurants may choose to update their point-of-sale terminals, given the emergence of new mobile technology that allows the waitstaff to provide faster service at the table. Some chain restaurants such as T.G.I. Fridays have started deploying the devices, while independent businesses, such as hotdog and hamburger joint D-Doghouse in Miami, Florida, have also made the switch.
With the portable POS terminals, employees can turn tables faster since they can complete payment processing while the customer waits. The Miami restaurant decided to deploy the systems as a way of increasing efficiency and reducing costs without sacrificing customer service.
