How are Restaurants Ensuring Sustainability with IoT Technologies?

In the post-COVID era, the restaurant industry has become more competitive than ever. Outlets are looking for more creative ways to differentiate themselves from the competition. Embracing sustainability is also a part of it. In fact, it will define the quality of thriving restaurants in 2022.

Along with providing a warm and welcoming environment, top-quality food, and enticing prices of course to visitors, restaurants also need to support sustainable practices. After all, consumers support sustainable restaurants that show a specific interest in eco-conscious operational models.

Increasing demand for sustainability in restaurants

Climate crisis, pollution, and environmental damage are posing damage to our planet. If not controlled on time, it can lead to disastrous consequences. It’s time to analyze the environmental impacts of business operations and adopt energy management solutions for a sustainable future.

Now, consumers pay attention to the green credentials of their favorite businesses, especially restaurants. According to a recent study, more than 50% of diners consider sustainability as one of the key elements in their outlet choices. There’s a huge opportunity for restaurants to catch this wave and become a favorite of their customers. The right technologies can support these priorities, allowing restaurants to make sustainability a part of their business models.

The IoT solution

It is time for restaurant managers to look strategically at the Internet of Things (IoT). This technology is increasingly and successfully adopted across industries to prevent equipment failures, improve operational efficiencies and reduce costs.

IoT can connect any object to the Internet to share data with other systems. It is incredibly useful in restaurants and commercial kitchens. Managers can monitor equipment like refrigerators, HVAC, guest area, kitchen, walk in freezers, deep freezers etc. for breakage and quickly fix them.

Here’s know how restaurant managers can make use of IoT solutions:

1. Remote temperature monitoring

Remote sensors collect data to ensure inventory and food warming stations meet regulatory standards. It also helps to maintain the right temperature.

2. Preventive maintenance

Installation of connected sensors alerts operators to service equipment before maintenance issues turn worse.

3. Remote monitoring

Restaurant managers can monitor complex assets and collect data on a regular basis. As a result, they can make sure that equipment and machines meet regulatory standards.

Implementing the Internet of Things (IoT) in restaurants

Food sustainability has become more important than ever. It led to the rise of zero-waste restaurants, sustainability-focused marketing campaigns, and related industry trends. A large number of restaurants are developing and implementing environmental and sustainability goals in their operational priorities.

Fortunately, IoT solutions have become accessible and affordable in the restaurant industry. Here are three ways where restaurants can get started with IoT:

1. Monitoring on-site food storage

Food wastage is a serious issue that the restaurant industry is currently dealing with. The current study says that the food industry will waste upwards of an appalling 1.6 billion tons of food in the year 2022. It’s the reason why millions still go to bed hungry.

Food waste contributes massively to global warming, climate change, and global greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing this concern is crucial for restaurants. It can save money, emit less carbon into the atmosphere, alleviate the burden on landfills, reduce the number of animals subjected to life on a factory farm, and address its hunger crisis to a great extent.

Internet of Things (IoT) technologies can make a significant difference in these issues. It can constantly monitor refrigeration units, including hot or cold storage items, and warns management to take needed remedial measures. In this way, IoT solutions can reduce annual food waste considerably.

According to a study, IoT can reduce global food waste by 50 percent by the year 2030. It can immensely benefit restaurants, food producers, and consumers.

2. Energy conservation with sensor technology

Restaurants consume an incredible amount of energy on an everyday basis. Cooking, water heating, refrigeration, and HVAC systems are responsible for this. Paying attention to these systems can reduce carbon footprint and food waste significantly.

One industry report says, a 20% reduction in energy consumption improves a restaurant’s bottom line by 1%. It means restaurants can gain a competitive advantage, reflect their eco-conscious values, ensure energy savings, and drive profitability with the application of IoT solutions in their building.

Investment in energy management systems (EMS) and IoT technology is a must. By offering 24/7 monitoring and automatic adjustment of lighting, heating, and humidity levels, these IoT devices improve the operational process of restaurants massively.

3. Water preservation with no compromise

Water is the most vulnerable resource. An average restaurant consumes a staggering 7,000 gallons a day.

IoT technologies allow for the automatic monitoring and control of water usage that can minimize water waste in kitchens, bars, and restrooms. It also detects frozen or burst pipes, leakages, and inefficiencies in kitchen and bar equipment, allowing restaurant managers to take responsive action on time.

Prioritizing sustainability

Choosing the right technology can have a dramatic impact on restaurants’ profitability and sustainability motives. IoT technologies can support these efforts. Want to leverage this technology? Connect with Zenatix to implement advanced IoT solutions in your restaurant and position your business as “Green friendly”. Reach out to us today!