Data collection is more important than ever for restaurant operators, and with so many sources out there — from POS systems to delivery platforms, and from loyalty programs to digital surveys — the potential data mine is infinite. But information collection is not just a numbers game; quality and utility are just as important.

According to the December 2023 Market Leader Report from Nation’s Restaurant News Intelligence, only 21% of operators would rate their data quality as good, while only one-quarter of restaurant operators are confident in their data optimization abilities, revealing the need for more data education.

But just knowing how important data is to the operations of a modern restaurant isn’t enough. Restaurant operators need to build the nuts and bolts of data optimization by asking themselves (and their teams) the right questions.

For more, let's turn to senior technology editor Joanna Fantozzi.