As restaurants have reopened their doors to serve customers during a global pandemic, it's become clear that there are new safety protocols and design features that need to be in place to support community health, as seen in the new Burger King restaurant design. The new Burger King concept was created to support changing consumer behaviors and safety measures with dedicated mobile order and curbside pick-up areas, as well as drive-in and walk-up order areas.
The restaurant concept also introduces an enhanced drive-thru experience and exterior dining spaces, since the overall physical footprint of the location is about 60% smaller than usual.
Some of the most notable features of the "Restaurant of Tomorrow" include pick-up lockers for mobile and delivery orders, as well as a suspended kitchen and dining room above the drive-thru lanes to maximize space.
Touchless Fast Food Restaurants
The New Burger King Restaurant Design Supports the New Normal
Trend Themes
1. Touchless Fast Food - Opportunity for fast food restaurants to incorporate touchless technology in order to enhance safety and convenience for customers.
2. Mobile Ordering - Rising trend of mobile ordering in fast food industry, allowing customers to order ahead and limit contact with employees.
3. Drive-thru Innovation - Impact of COVID-19 on the fast food industry has led to drive-thru innovations such as suspended kitchens and pick-up lockers for mobile and delivery orders.
Industry Implications
1. Fast Food - Fast food industry can explore touchless technology and mobile ordering to adapt to changing consumer behaviors and enhance safety protocols.
2. Restaurant Design - Opportunity for restaurant design firms to create innovative spaces that support safety measures and changing consumer behaviors, such as dedicated mobile order and curbside pick-up areas.
3. Restaurant Technology - Market for restaurant technology solutions can thrive by offering touchless payment systems, mobile ordering platforms, and drive-thru innovations.