Quick Service Restaurants

Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) are a specific type of restaurant characterized both by its fast food cuisine and by minimal table service. The QSR industry is not known as an early adopter of technology. This is not to say, however, that technology doesn’t play a crucial role in the success of the business. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. IT has and continues to change the QSR industry. Many QSR operators have already taken or are planning to take remote ordering technology to the next level by having it interface directly with their POS systems, an example of these are Domino’s Pizza, McDonalds, Subway, and Pizza Hut just to name a few. Using software for online orders QSR’s have “seamlessly integrated” alternative ordering options into their stores’ POS systems, such as online ordering, text ordering, and also self-service kiosks. With the innovation of a POS interface, orders are processed immediately for optimal speed and efficiency. And, since no one has to key in the items, accuracy is significantly increased. Alternative ordering not only frees up the counter staff to help the dining room customers, it also helps the staff make the food faster, and therefore increase the efficiency of the store. Looking at some local stores figures, we can see how the service times have improved and talking to store managers, they agree that the success is because of the great system. He also said that anyone can now take an order, he referred to this system as “It’s idiot proof, anyone can now take an order,” a manager at a local store said, “so training time is now reduced.” He said that he started working for a QSR when there was no computers, “since then things just seem to get easier, and having a POS has defiantly helped the store operations run smoother,” it has helped him lower his load times by 2 minutes, out the door times by 3.8 minutes, and to the door time by 4.3 minutes which a an improvement that he attributes to an efficient POS system. A POS also increases check size, not only does it allow the customer to take a look at the extensive menus that many of these companies have, but it also helps the CSR guide the customer though the buying experience. IT allows for online and text ordering which requires customers to give their credit card numbers, but not all customers are quick to take to this technology. Operators and providers agree that probably the biggest hurdle to overcome with launching a new POS is persuading customers to enter their credit card numbers for streamlined prepayment, however many people are starting to see the many advantages that adapting to IT has brought to them.

http://www.qsrmagazine.com/