8 Uses of VR and AR in Food and Beverage Industry

Not a very long time ago, virtual reality and augmented reality seemed like inaccessible technologies. But these two technologies are becoming more available every single time due to the successful app and headset development that allowed users to explore their benefits. In addition to becoming a fantastic part of customers’ lives, AR and VR are proving to provide excellent value in a handful of business applications.

Many restaurants, cafes, hotels, and food and beverage companies are starting to implement AR and VR in the food industry. In this article, we’ll explore the most successful examples of these applications.

Examples of AR and VR applications in the Food and Beverage Industry

The implementation of AR and VR applications and tools are expected to improve the way business is run in the food and beverage industry. From increasing employees’ efficiency to decreasing the learning curve, improving customers’ experience, and boosting the company’s social media presence, the benefits are unlimited.

Now let’s discuss 8 successful implementations of these technologies.

1. Educate New Staff and Employees

Customer satisfaction is one of the most important KPIs that a restaurant owner or manager needs to consider. This is why Honeygrow, the famous restaurant chain, used VR headsets to provide hands-on training to help new trainees understand the job.

This technology proved to be highly successful, as the new staff was able to experience a real-like work experience. They could browse the restaurant’s location, see how the employees do the job and learn more about the chain’s values and policies.

In addition to providing successful training, the VR set offered a fun gaming experience. These games would teach employees how to do their job and also make them feel more connected to the company.

2. Better Marketing Approach

Gunn Beer launched a virtual reality marketing campaign that takes customers on a trip to where the beer is brewed and manufactured. Using virtual reality tools is an advancement from traditional marketing techniques.

When customers feel connected to the brand by being part of its manufacturing process, they’re more likely to buy in the future.

In addition, an expert states that engaging a customer in such an immersive virtual experience through storytelling marketing changes the way their brain processes the signals coming from the taste buds when they taste the beer.

See Also: Storytelling via Chocolate: FairTrade AR Application by WeAR Studio 

3. Create Brand Awareness

It’s essential for every brand in the food and beverage industry to retain its customers and gain more by establishing an emotional connection. AR and VR technologies can both be used to achieve these goals, as these technologies allow the customer to be part of the experience and not just on the receiver’s end.

Coca-Cola designed a Christmas magic campaign that would help emphasize the emotional bond that customers already have with the brand. People who buy the beverage are buying the whole cozy experience and not just paying for the drink.

4. Improve Social Media Presence

More than 3,960 billion people are actively using social media accounts. This means that social media has become one of the most essential tools that every marketer has to think about when they’re designing a new marketing campaign.

Most users are now using their phones to search for products or make orders, so it’s quite logical to use augmented reality and virtual reality technologies to improve your company’s online presence if you work in the food and beverage industry.

Ben and Jerry’s is a company that manufacturers premium ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sorbet. The company launched a fun AR filter on Facebook that would allow users to catch marshmallows using their mouths.

The game’s purpose was to introduce a new ice cream flavor and engage users in a fun game that would help them feel more connected to the brand. The shareable content also allowed users to share the game with more people, increasing the benefits of the marketing campaign.

5. See Before You Buy

Although this concept isn’t common in the food and beverage industry, Bareburger, the burger manufacturer, launched an AR app with Snapchat to help drive more customers to visit the restaurants and order food.

Using Snapcode, users are able to see augmented reality menu items in 3D before ordering them. This allows them to make any necessary adjustments to sizes or amounts and is a great way to visualize their order whether they choose to dine in, take out, or have the order delivered to their location.

6. Enhance Users’ Experience

In addition to being one of the world’s most expensive restaurants, a restaurant in Spain decided to use the perks of virtual reality technology to create an unmatched one-in-a-lifetime experience for its guests.

The SubliMotion restaurant in Ibiza lets diners go skydiving, jump in the water, and even go back and forth in time while enjoying their 15-course meal.

Guests are wearing Samsung VR sets that take them on exciting virtual reality trips that pair perfectly with the dish being served. The exceptional gastronomic experience will engage all your senses while you’re enjoying your food to create an unforgettable restaurant visit.

7. Introduce A New Product

Although the number one factor that would attract more customers to buy a brand is the quality of the product, AR can encourage more people to choose this company over a competitor by offering an immersive experience.

Oreo successfully captured customers’ attention by designing a virtual tour that would finally lead them to the company’s latest products. The VR game is fun and engaging and will also educate customers about the company’s products.

8. Eliminate Buyer’s Regret

Due to the highly competitive nature of this niche, finding a way to implement virtual reality in the beverage industry is an excellent move that can help any company or start-up double its sales.

SippClub launched its first AR delivery service to catch the attention of all wine lovers. The app, which can be downloaded on any phone, would provide valuable information about the components of each wine and the food pairings that would go with it. This allowed users to make better choices that would help them enjoy a tasty meal with the right wine.

The app also offered users some cool tasting tips that would help them enjoy their purchase even more, like providing information about the best serving temperature. As a result, more people were interested in buying wines from this provider, knowing that they wouldn’t regret their purchase.

Conclusion

Augmented and virtual reality can transform every aspect of doing business in the food and beverage industry. We only expect these efforts to double in the future as more manufacturers want to participate in the game.

If you work in the food and industry business, you need to make sure that you’re incorporating these two technologies properly to help improve your sales and market share. At WeAR Studio, you will find real experts who are ready to answer all your questions and help you choose the right way to implement XR technologies.