Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) students present the ideal vision of the Restaurant of the future to METRO senior executives, with key findings to support the implementation of technology within restaurants, aiming to improve customer satisfaction, process efficiency and business development.

As part of EHL's Bachelor program in International Hotel Management, students get the opportunity to participate in a Student Business Project, providing consultancy solutions for real-life industry mandates. In this context, METRO mandated 6 last-year students to envision the model Restaurant of the future and provide concrete solutions to drive innovation and technological advancements in the restaurant sector, and more particularly for the independent restaurateurs.

Results were presented at EHL campus in Lausanne, in front of a delegation of METRO senior executives, including the CEO of METRO AG, Olaf Koch who stated: "I was extremely satisfied with the results shown and even more impressed by the students who have worked them out. EHL and METRO, we both share the passion for the hospitality sector. EHL has created a huge momentum in the sector in the recent years. We as METRO need to support and advise our customers in how to stay competitive in the hospitality sector. In joining the academic and the practical part, we both realize profound mutual benefit ".

The student group presented the key characteristics of this Restaurant of the future, where technology is incorporated at each customer touch-point before, during and after the meal in order to answer restaurant-goers' growing expectations for digital experience and further engage with customers. Operational processes were thoroughly analyzed to offer restaurateurs guidance in improving efficiency and profitability thanks to technology tools.

EHL student group, from left to right: Runpei XI, Simon BERNHARD, Jingyuan SHI, Benjamin HIRT, Tiziano NESSI, eand Esteban VOLKEN (not present) — Photo by EHLEHL student group, from left to right: Runpei XI, Simon BERNHARD, Jingyuan SHI, Benjamin HIRT, Tiziano NESSI, eand Esteban VOLKEN (not present) — Photo by EHL
EHL student group, from left to right: Runpei XI, Simon BERNHARD, Jingyuan SHI, Benjamin HIRT, Tiziano NESSI, eand Esteban VOLKEN (not present) — Photo by EHL

Find out more about the Restaurant of the future on the EHL Blog here and watch the video.

"Innovation is a fundamental value at EHL. We are educating the future leaders of the hospitality industry and our goal is to encourage and nurture their innovative spirit to drive the industry forward, to think outside of the box and create new business opportunities for the future. We continuously work hand-in-hand with top industry partners in order to foresee the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, and ensure that our graduates are well-armed to succeed" said Michel Rochat, CEO of EHL Group.

METRO is a key partner of EHL in fostering innovation amongst students and professionals. Christine Demen Meier, Head of the METRO Chair of Innovation at EHL, explains: "The research chair aims to leverage the knowledge and expertise available at EHL to contribute to the growth of the F&B service industry." Ian Millar, Senior Lecturer, says: "It is a pleasure to work with a company like METRO and they are providing our students with amazing learning experiences in improving the digital aspects of the restaurant industry". Frédéric Schumacher, Director HoReCa Innovation METRO AG, adds: "As an alumni of EHL I am extremely happy to see my company partner with the school to foster innovation anignite the digitalisation of the HoReCa industry".

Source: EHLSource: EHL
Source: EHL

About METRO

METRO GROUP is one of the most important international retailing companies. It generated sales of some €59 billion in financial year 2014/15. The company operates over 2,000 locations in 29 countries and employs more than 220,000 people. The performance of METRO GROUP is based on the strength of its sales brands, which act independently on the market: METRO/MAKRO Cash & Carry, the international leader in the self-service wholesale trade; Media Markt and Saturn, the European market leader in consumer electronics retailing; and Real hypermarkets. More information at www.metrogroup.de

About EHL Group

EHL Group is the global reference in education, innovation and consulting for the hospitality and service sector.
With expertise dating back to 1893, EHL Group now offers a wide range of leading educational programs from apprenticeships to master's degrees, as well as professional and executive education, on three campuses in Switzerland and Singapore. EHL Group also offers consulting and certification services to companies and learning centers around the world. True to its values and committed to building a sustainable world, EHL Group's purpose is to provide education, services and working environments that are people-centered and open to the world. www.ehlgroup.com