This is Burgerista
Burgerista is an Austrian restaurant, founded in 2012, specializing in fresh burgers. With ten restaurants now in Austria, Burgerista has established itself through the use of fresh ingredients and fast preparation. The company places great emphasis on regional products and high quality, which is reflected in every burger.
René Steinberger-Günther, managing partner of Burgerista, has been instrumental in developing and implementing operational processes since the early days. As the operations manager, he handles everything from facility management to digitalization to ensure the company is future-oriented.
In our interview, René shares how he and his team mastered the transition from paper-based processes to a modern, digital approach. It’s about boosting efficiency, ensuring quality, and tackling the challenges that come with such a transformation.
The process control is now much simpler, and we can quickly respond to changes
The Challenge
Before digitization, Burgerista faced significant challenges due to paper-based processes. “We had fifteen folders full of lists,” reports René, describing a document management system that was not only time-consuming but also prone to errors. Tracking information was difficult because paper lists were often filled out retrospectively.
“It was an immense paper battle,” René explains further. “You had to search for a long time to find the right information,” leading to delays and increased operational costs. Additionally, the space required for storing numerous documents, which must be kept for at least ten years, was enormous. These issues highlighted the need for a modern solution to simplify workflows at Burgerista and improve control over daily processes.
Solution and Implementation
To tackle the challenges of paper-based processes, Burgerista decided on comprehensive digitization with Lumiform. “From the start, we aimed to digitize everything,” René explains. The transition began with the gradual introduction of digital checklists, made available to employees on tablets.
The shift wasn’t without hurdles, as the new technology was initially met with reluctance: “You really had to involve employees in the process,” René reports. However, through continuous feedback from the branches, the digital processes could be steadily improved. “Our lists are now always up-to-date and easily accessible,” René is pleased to say. “This is reflected in all our processes.”
Results and Improvements
René shares many benefits that the Lumiform app brings to the company every day. Digitalization has not only reduced paper consumption but also boosted the efficiency and quality of workflows. Among the key use cases of Lumiform at Burgerista are:
- Digital checklists for daily operations
- Documentation of food deliveries
- Maintenance requests
- Facility management
Enhanced Data Security and Traceability
With the introduction of Lumiform, data security at Burgerista has significantly improved because “the information is now securely stored and accessible at any time,” René explains. By digitally capturing data, it ensures that all information remains accurate and unchanged. This is particularly crucial for food traceability. “It used to be difficult to find batch numbers quickly, but now it takes just seconds,” René adds.
The ability to integrate photos directly into checklists has further simplified documentation and increased transparency. “The photo feature is very important for us,” René emphasizes, as it greatly facilitates the traceability of batches and documentation of fresh meat deliveries. These improvements ensure that Burgerista is always able to keep track of all critical data and respond promptly to inquiries.
We can now centrally update all lists and know that they are immediately available in all branches, which significantly simplifies process control.
Simplified Process Management and Central Control
Central control over all processes is another significant advantage of digitization with Lumiform. “We can now centrally update all lists and know that they are immediately available in all branches,” René explains. This not only reduces administrative effort but also ensures that all employees work with the same, up-to-date information.
Digitalization has enabled Burgerista to boost the efficiency of daily operations by speeding up routine tasks and giving employees more time for their core duties. “Process management is now much simpler, and we can quickly respond to changes,” René reports. The central platform also provides a clear overview of all activities, greatly simplifying planning and coordination. These benefits significantly contribute to Burgerista’s ability to maintain and continuously improve its high-quality standards.
Outlook
Burgerista plans to further expand digitalization and integrate additional features of Lumiform. “We want to map more through Lumiform, especially in the areas of recipes and training programs,” René explains. The goal is to train employees even better and ensure that new products are introduced uniformly across all branches. The ability to centrally manage digital training content and recipes offers Burgerista the chance to further improve the quality and consistency of its products.
Additionally, the company plans to use the platform for launching new products to ensure all branches are on the same page. “There is still a lot of potential we can tap into,” René adds. By continuously advancing digital processes, Burgerista aims to strengthen its position as a leader in the industry and offer customers an even better experience.
Recommendation
René has clear advice for companies in the gastronomy sector considering digitalization. “Dare to take the step and engage deeply with the topic,” he encourages. It’s important to involve employees from the start to foster acceptance of new technologies. “Lumiform is worth every investment and not expensive,” René emphasizes. “It’s a simple calculation: when you break down the license costs over 365 days and consider that a single food inspection, where you can’t find the data, can lead to a fine, the license is paid for a year.”
He recommends looking at the long-term benefits, such as improved traceability and time savings in daily operations. The ability to access current information centrally is also a crucial advantage. “Just give it a try and experience the positive effects,” René advises. Ultimately, it’s about optimizing workflows and enhancing the quality of services.
We sincerely thank René Steinberger-Günther and Burgerista for the insightful interview and the exciting insights into the digital transformation at Burgerista, and we look forward to further collaboration.