Inside the Restaurant of the Future / Ben Calleja (LIVIT) speaks at RestaurantSpaces

Summary

The speaker from Livid, a company known for restaurant design, discusses their global expansion and insights into the future of the industry. They share their innovative approach to creating a fine-dining experience at fast-casual prices, emphasizing operational efficiency, technology, and staff flexibility. The presentation highlights their lab store in downtown LA, which won 'Best Restaurant Design of the Year', and explores how they achieve high throughput, efficient labor, and a frictionless customer experience through technology and design.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Livid is a global restaurant design company with a presence in 46 countries and an annual opening rate of around 1000 restaurants.
• 💡 They focus on operational efficiency and technology to disrupt the industry, aiming to understand consumer trends across markets.
• 💰 Coming from Stockholm, where they pay a high minimum wage, Livid has solutions to address challenges related to increasing labor costs.
• 🏆 They have learned from various industry players and are now focusing on creating an experience that is both convenient and aspirational.
• 🍽️ Livid's concept combines the efficiency of fast food with the ambiance of fine dining, aiming for high throughput and transaction capacity.
• 🛠️ Their latest store in Sweden is a 3500 square feet space with 200 seats, showcasing a reduced footprint and innovative design.
• 👨‍🍳 They hire team members with no prior restaurant experience, emphasizing operational efficiency and staff flexibility through cross-training.
• 📱 The company is tech-driven, leveraging technology to enhance the dining experience and operational efficiency.
• 🏆 Their US lab store in downtown LA has won the 'Best Restaurant Design of the Year' award, showcasing their global sourcing and design capabilities.
• 📈 Livid measures and tracks various aspects of the restaurant experience in real-time, using data to optimize guest experience and operational efficiency.
• 🔮 They experiment with different elements like music, scent, and lighting to enhance the dining experience and influence customer behavior.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the session described in the transcript?

The main purpose of the session is to share insights and learnings with the attendees, hoping that they can apply these to their operations or brands.

In what countries is the company mentioned in the transcript currently operating?

The company is operating in 46 countries.

How many restaurants does the company open per year?

The company opens roughly a thousand restaurants per year.

What is the minimum wage in Stockholm, as mentioned in the transcript?

The minimum wage in Stockholm is $23.

What is the company's approach to restaurant design and operations?

The company focuses on operational efficiency, technology, and disruptive innovation in the restaurant industry, aiming to create a lifestyle space that is both aspirational and affordable.

What was the concept behind the new restaurant model discussed in the transcript?

The concept is to combine the efficiency and affordability of fast food with the experience and environment of fine dining, without compromising on quality.

How does the company ensure operational efficiency in their restaurants?

The company ensures operational efficiency by hiring team members with no prior restaurant experience, cross-training them on all stations, and relying heavily on technology.

What is the significance of the '2.0 lab' mentioned in the transcript?

The '2.0 lab' is an advanced restaurant concept that the company has implemented, focusing on further technological integration and efficiency improvements.

What is the average capital expenditure for the restaurant mentioned in the transcript?

The average capital expenditure for the restaurant is between three and three point two million dollars.

How does the company leverage technology to enhance the guest experience?

The company uses technology such as sensors, real-time tracking, and geofencing to create a frictionless and personalized dining experience for guests.

What is the company's strategy for retaining talent in their restaurants?

The company's strategy for retaining talent includes listening to employees, creating brand style guides or dress codes that allow for self-expression, and providing a cool and engaging work environment.