When it comes to drive-thru equipment, headset and timer systems get most of the attention. But the equipment outside your kitchen is just as important as those on the inside – especially your vehicle detector.

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In the market for a new drive-thru headset system? 

You may be surprised to learn that although CE is authorized to sell new HME and Panasonic drive-thru headset systems, we also sell refurbished systems of almost any brand.  

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Reliable drive-thru equipment, such as headsets and timer systems, is essential for providing fast, accurate service to your customers. You can minimize damage and prolong the life of your equipment with the following maintenance tips:

• When adjusting the microphone position on your drive-thru headsets, always hold the boom at the base rather than the microphone tip.

• Have crewmembers use clothing clips to prevent the belt-pac cable from catching on objects and causing unwanted damage. Disconnecting the cables and connectors only when troubleshooting will reduce wear and tear on belt-pacs.

• To safely clean drive-thru equipment, apply a mild household cleanser to a damp cloth and gently wipe down the surface. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush to clean out food debris from crevices around the buttons.

• Moisture is the enemy of drive-thru headsets. When not in use, always store your equipment in a cool, dry place.

Are you wondering if you need to replace your current drive-thru headsets with new or better ones? Asking three questions can help you decide:

·         Do my employees like the drive-thru headsets?

·         Do we have ongoing drive-thru sound quality problems?

·         Do you constantly need drive-thru headset repairs?

Good headsets fit well, are comfortable to wear, and have intuitive controls that are easy to learn. If employees complain that your headsets are uncomfortable or difficult to use, it may be time to look for new ones.

At the same time, clear communications is essential for great service in a drive-thru.  If crewmembers have a hard time hearing customers, it may be due to cheap parts or poor quality workmanship that results in poor drive-thru sound quality.

The best drive-thru systems are made to withstand the daily wear and tear of even the busiest QSR. If you frequently have to replace parts or send them in for repair, investing in a higher quality system can save you time and money in the long run.

Why does drive-thru equipment always seem to break down at the most inopportune time?

I’ve managed a lot of different QSRs, and it never ceases to amaze me how drive-thru headsets or timer systems almost always tend to break during the busiest dayparts. It helps to have backup drive-thru equipment for those emergencies, but depending on the part, that can get quite expensive.

Fortunately, I learned about CE early on in my career. When I need an emergency drive-thru headset repair, I simply call them up and they ship one to me in advance, usually overnight. Then I use the same box to ship the broken drive-thru equipment back to them. It’s a fast, simple process that only takes one phone call.

I’ve used CE’s advance exchange program several times, and I can’t tell you what a relief it is to get a great quality replacement part with such speedy service. Crewmembers hate it when their drive-thru headsets don't work properly, and customers don’t like it when it takes longer to get their food. With CE, I can keep those situations to a minimum and know that my broken equipment will get repaired quickly and professionally.

The other day, my cell phone stopped working for no good reason. My carrier said they would be happy to fix it – just put it in the mail or send it in via UPS. That seemed reasonable, until they told me I had to pay for the shipment.

That’s one reason I send all my drive-thru equipment repairs to CE. When I need a timer or drive-thru headsets fixed, I can count on them to do it quickly and do it right. Plus, they don’t charge me for the inbound shipping. I simply fill out a short online form, print out the shipping label, and have the UPS driver come pick up it at my restaurant.

CE also backs their drive-thru repairs with a 4-month warranty. If the equipment breaks down again or doesn’t work properly during that time, they’ll fix it for free. And of course, there’s no charge for the inbound shipment. So far I haven’t had to send any repairs back a second time. But it’s nice to know that option is available if I ever need it.

Just about every QSR with a drive-thru uses wireless technology to power their drive-thru headsets and timer systems. But in an emergency situation, a cabled intercom system can keep your drive-thru lane in business until your drive-thru system repair is complete. A cabled intercom also offers a cost-effective alternative to wireless for low-volume drive-thru operations.

The CE C-15 cabled intercom drive-thru system delivers easy operation and one-touch convenience at a very affordable price. Our new and refurbished systems include cable, power supply, and mounting kit, and offer the following features:

• Touch-panel switch
• Power-on
• Standby
• Presence-alert
• Talk and listen indicator lights
• Internal microphone for clear communication

We also repair existing cabled intercom systems, and carry a full line of accessories and replacement parts. If you’re thinking about getting a cabled intercom as a backup, or need any drive-thru repairs, give CE a call at 877-731-0334.

If you own a quick-serve restaurant, a Protection Plan offers a cost-effective option for repairing your drive-thru equipment. If you own multiple QSRs, a Protection Plan is a necessity.

The more restaurants you have, the more drive-thru equipment you have to maintain. And no matter how well you treat your equipment, it will eventually break down or wear out, requiring repair or replacement. A Protection Plan provides peace of mind by providing unlimited drive-thru repair services for one fixed monthly fee.

Not all Protection Plans are created equal, which is why so many QSR owners and managers contract with Commercial Electronics. With several options for your drive-thru maintenance needs, Protection Plans are the best bang for your buck at CE.

• We offer one fixed, low, monthly payment to eliminate the surprise of unexpected drive-thru repair costs – no matter how many repairs you have. 

• Our flexible contract options, including duration, shipping options and advance exchange options, can be tailored to your exact needs.

• Our Protection Plans cover any mix of drive-thru headsets and timer brands, including HME, Panasonic and 3M.

Whether you have one or one hundred stores, a Protection Plan from CE will keep your drive-thru equipment in top operating condition.  Call today and you’ll never again have to worry about unexpected drive-thru equipment repairs.

It’s not often you get something for free these days.  And when you do, it’s usually worth what you paid for it.

Not with Commercial Electronics repairs! As a QSR manager with a very busy drive-thru lane, I’ve been a customer of CE for several years. I can always count of them for fast, reliable service. And when they send my repaired drive-thru equipment back, I know it will work the way it’s supposed to.

Everyone once in a while I need some help with my drive-thru headsets or timer system. They’re not broken to the point of needing repair, but something about them just isn’t working right, and I can’t figure it out myself. That’s when I call CE for free technical support over the phone. That’s right – FREE technical support.

Their knowledgeable support reps are more than happy to answer my questions or walk me through the process of solving the problem. Most of the time we can figure out what’s wrong over the phone. Other times, I end up sending in my drive-thru equipment for diagnosis and repair.

There are many different types and brands of drive-thru equipment in use today. So when your equipment breaks down and needs repair, it can be hard to know where to go to get it fixed.

At Commercial Electronics, we repair all brands and models of drive-thru equipment, including HME, Panasonic and 3M. CE is the only independent HME factory-approved and trained facility in the U.S. But our experienced technicians are also trained to provide drive-thru repairs for Panasonic and 3M equipment as well.

As your one-stop drive-thru repair shop, we offer:

• Fast, dependable service
• Same-day repair service on many models
• Live tech support on all brands and models
• Free inbound shipping on all drive-thru repairs