If we look far enough into the future, it’s entirely possible that mixed reality will completely replace paper. Environmentally inefficient, things like newspapers, books, and loose-leaf advertisements are likely only a few short decades from extinction.
Could restaurant menus also be at risk for being replaced? One burger chain in New York City seems to think so.
The chain in question, Bareburger, has recently partnered with augmented reality startup Kabaq, in order to transform its traditional laminated paper menu into a digital masterpiece. Instead of an app of their own, customers will make use of Snapchat’s AR features to access the menu.
Kabaq is also behind the augmented reality-fication of NYC-based Magnolia Bakery. Having done away with paper menus entirely, customers of this New York landmark can now “see” the cake they plan to order via their smartphone.
As competitive as restaurants are, it’s not surprising to see them turning to new technology for an edge over their competition. And it wouldn’t be the first time that AR has lead to an increase in sales, albeit indirectly.
For example, when Pokemon Go launched in 2016, Revel systems (a POS platform for brick and mortar stores), discovered that over 80% of businesses saw an increase in foot traffic, while over sixty percent saw an increase in weekly sales volume.
Whether or not AR will be an effective selling tool in restaurants remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure — mixed reality technology is rapidly being embraced by a myriad of businesses around the world. And it’s only a matter of time before we have metrics on how it outperforms other tech in the human economic ecosystem.
What do you think about augmented reality menus? Let us know in a comment!
