Not missing the worst trend in Restaurant industry 'Download app to order'

I’m so relieved that the “download-an-app-to-order” trend is finally behind us! Remember when you’d walk into a restaurant, look forward to a meal, and the first thing they’d tell you was to download their app? It was like each place thought I didn’t stare at my phone enough, so they gave me one more reason to do it.

I felt like I was juggling a new app every time I tried to have a meal outside my own kitchen! My phone was drowning in icons for random restaurant apps I’d probably never use again. Cannot stress on how happy I am that the trend has faded away.

It could have been one of those decisions businesses take without researching the target market’s needs, because the sheer inconvenience was astonishing. Not only did you have to download the app, but also go through an entire registration process that required you to give your email, your phone number, and sometimes even your address – all before you could place an order.

Then came the task of navigating the app, often clunky and full of pop-ups for things you didn’t even need. By the time I finally ordered, it felt like I’d done some serious work and forgotten what I was here to do. All this while there was restaurant staff standing in front of me, smiling helplessly.

Another huge downside was that going out to eat is about connecting with friends, family, or a date. More so to escape a screen, after a long day/week of work. People go out to escape the isolation of the digital world – not to stare at their phones and tap away.

These apps pushed customers into an ironic, isolated bubble at the table. Everyone's head would be down, staring at their screens, trying to figure out the app instead of enjoying each other’s company. The concept was the exact opposite of what dining out is supposed to be.

It was a disservice to the restaurant themselves and their service, why do you want me to look at my phone instead of looking at your décor themes and enjoy the vibes? Why do you not want me to chat with your staff and listen to them describe their specials, after all that’s what tipping culture is based on.

Don’t get me wrong – I’m all for tech in the food industry. Online reservations, loyalty programs, and efficient digital POS systems – these have all made dining out better. Technology has helped restaurants manage operations more smoothly and even cut down wait times.

But this? This app-ordering trend wasn’t one of those helpful innovations. It just added a layer of unnecessary complexity that made the experience worse, not better. It’s like trying to reinvent the wheel but ending up with a square. Do not fix what is not broken

In the end, any successful restaurant experience comes down to one thing: customer satisfaction. People don’t go to restaurants for gimmicks; they go for good food, pleasant ambiance, and an affable experience. When the latest tech fads get in the way of that, they’re missing the whole point.

Restaurant tech should be there to smoothen the experience, not complicate

it. Here’s to restaurants keeping customers front and center, may you never take desperate routes to seem hip.