A Case Study in Wireless Ordering theory For restaurant Servers

Motorola recently released a case study highlighting the latest in bistro Pos ideas technology: handheld, wireless ordering systems for servers. The handheld expedient is about twice as big as a BlackBerry, and connects directly into the restaurant's Pos software via a wireless connection.

Hand Held Credit Card Machine

The case study focuses on Sam's Chowder House in the San Francisco bay area, a high volume seafood bistro that seats about 280 people. According to the study, the bistro achieved a return on speculation on the hand-held devices in one month. That's because check averages went up and table turnover times and labor costs went down. Servers no longer have to write down orders and then re-enter them into the Pos system. Instead, they enter orders directly into the handheld device, which then sends the order along automatically. This allows servers to focus on customer service and sales, which explains the check averages and improved table turnover times.

Labor savings were realized by Sam's because more sufficient servers means less front of house staff could serve the same estimate of people in the restaurant. This also makes the servers happy because they get more tables and therefore more tips. Staff turnover rates have plummeted since the introduction of the handheld ordering devices as a result. Finally, these devices can also process credit cards, allowing servers to run customer checks while standing tableside, additional improving turnover times and customer service.

The handheld ordering expedient is obviously the hereafter in bistro technology, but for now, I infer the cost of the ideas is still prohibitive for most restaurateurs. Yes, Sam's realized an Roi in one month, but Sam's also does A Lot of enterprise ( million in annual sales). If you're a larger operator, I indeed don't see why you shouldn't buy handheld ordering devices today. The benefits I list above are indeed direct from Motorola, who has an interest in hyping the good points, but they also make good logical enterprise sense. Imagine if your servers never had to leave their tables. Of procedure sales and table turnover times are going to improve.

If you're a smaller operator, wait for the day when these devices are much more affordable. It's just like any new technology (Hd Tv, cell phones, iPods): they're always highly expensive at first and then at last become affordable to the masses.

I'm personally looking forward to the day when all restaurants have these handheld ordering systems. Every bistro should be able to focus on the customer, and on production the best sale possible, and handheld ordering technology is the way to get there.

A Case Study in Wireless Ordering theory For restaurant Servers
No URL