When it comes to taking customer orders and filling them quickly and accurately, drive thru headsets are an essential piece of equipment. Base stations play an equally important role as they are the central communication hubs that facilitate clear and efficient communication between order takers and customers in their cars.
Tandem drive-thru lanes, the single lane that enables two cars to get through the same amount of space independent of each other, are growing in popularity. A tandem lane starts with two separate order points, each with their own order taker. It has two pickup windows so both cars can follow the same path when ordering and receiving their meals, resulting in faster customer service and guests driving away with a positive drive-thru experience.
Are you using artificial intelligence (AI) to handle customer orders in your drive thru? AI can process customer orders when the regular order taker is called away to another task. But that’s not all AI can do, especially when it comes to marketing your business. AI technology can:
Looking for a way to serve more cars in your drive-thru lane? Try using the ZOOM Nitro Timer system from HME to measure your drive-thru capacity in real time. This advanced timer system:
No matter how good the food, drive-thru patrons patronize can get turned off by an unattractive landscape. Start with these basic outdoor designs to make your lot and your restaurant look first class.
Clear signage. This is especially important if you have more than one lane. Make sure your signage clearly indicates the purpose of each lane.
Plenty of navigation space. Cars range...
Drive-thru equipment repairs can cost a lot of money, especially if you don’t maintain your equipment properly. These tips will help you save money while still getting top quality repairs.
Teach employees how to handle headsets and other equipment with care.
Clean your equipment on a regular basis.
Don’t store headsets near water; always put them in a dry place.
Remember...
Teamwork in the drive-thru is vital to providing fast service and a good customer experience, especially with the ongoing labor shortage. The fewer employees you have, the more important it is to train your team to work together.
Teach respect. Explain how respect creates a bond that supports teamwork. Constantly model it to your crewmembers.
Cross-train all crewmembers. Cross-training...
Have you thought about getting a dependable but low-cost way to communicate with customers in your drive-thru? What about a reliable backup for your wireless headset system? A cabled intercom provides a cost-effective solution for both.
Granted, a cabled intercom can’t compare with the latest drive-thru technologies, but they are better than they used to be. The newer ones include noise...
Lines keep getting longer in drive-thru lanes, yet customers still want fast service. Here are some simple but effective ways for lowering your service times.
Install menuboards before customers get to the order point. Giving them more time to browse the menu will lead to quicker orders.
Encourage remote ordering and provide a dedicated lane for those customers.
Equip line busters with...
The big trend in the drive-thru seems to be auto voice ordering with artificial intelligence (AI), but it’s not the only way to simplify drive-thru ordering. Using hand-held devices can also reduce service times and lower order mistakes. These devices:
Are fast, portable, and flexible. Handheld POS devices, such as mobile tablets, get orders to the kitchen faster and can accept payment...