So thanks to my classmate, Goldie Chow, I have come across an extremely interesting article about the use of technology to in essence replace the role of waiters in some up and coming restaurants.
The premise behind this technology is placing a touch screen computer at every table in the restaurant and allowing the customer to place their order using the system. Not only does the computer give diners a digital edition of the menu, but also allows them to see pictures of the dishes they are considering.
And these systems seem to be working. The article cites "Frame, a trendy sushi restaurant in Tel Aviv that has installed the system, [where] sales on tables with the e-menus had increased by about 11 percent. Customers often call ahead to reserve spots equipped with the screens."
This technology is very practical in theory, and in certain instance, in practice as well. However there are a lot of flaws to the system. I recently ate a restaurant near my parent's house called uWink that uses these e-menus. It was a very cool experience, being able to see what the food that I was ordering would look like, as well as being able to play trivia games with my friends while we waited for our food to come.
However, we encountered a number of problems, like the inability to push tables together to accommodate our large party due to the hardwiring of the system, a difficulty splitting the check with the automated payment system, and simply a lack of ease in customizing out food order. Nevertheless, it was a fun night, breaking the norm of dinning at a typical restaurant like CPK.
But integrating technology into our daily lives will always face opposition. "'I don't believe in screens - I believe in humans,' said Yoash Torkman, a businessman lunching at Frame. "I'll wait for 15 minutes for a waitress instead of using this. It's a gimmick and gimmicks have very short lives."
I guess we'll see...Check please!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Get the door in 45 seconds, it's Domino's!
The pizza giant, Domino's Pizza is the latest news maker in the world of Restaurant-tech. At the end of last month, they rolled out PIZZA TRACKER! No, it is not the newest game for Nintendo Wii; it is the latest tool that gives lazy people that absolutely can't wait to devour their molten disk of cheese, sauce, and bread the ability to follow their pizza on every step of its journey.
The service is now available in 3200 stores, and will be implemented in all stores across the country by June 30th. According to restaurantnewsresource.com "Once customers place an order, they can go to www.dominos.com and click on the Pizza Tracker icon. They will see a horizontal bar that lights up red as each step in the process is completed. Customers will see confirmation of their order being received by the store, when it's being prepared, when it's been placed in the oven, when it's been boxed and placed in the Domino's HeatWave(TM) bag, and finally, when it's on its way for delivery." The service gets even creepier as it gives customers the names of the people that take their phone order and deliver it.
I don't know about you, but I think this is a COMPLETELY unnecessary use of technology and a huge waste of money for Domino's. I thought that the entire reason for ordering a pizza to be delivered was that you were too busy to go pick it up or in the middle of something that could not be interrupted. But for someone to use this service, they have to be sitting at home on their computer obsessing as each step of the process takes place.
Call me stupid, cheap, or just motivated, but if I had the time to sit around and watch as Joe puts my order in the oven, and Paul gets into his car to deliver it, I'd rather save the 3 dollar tip and 2 dollar delivery charge and just go pick it up myself!
Hold on, I think my pizza is here...Wait! I know its here.
The service is now available in 3200 stores, and will be implemented in all stores across the country by June 30th. According to restaurantnewsresource.com "Once customers place an order, they can go to www.dominos.com and click on the Pizza Tracker icon. They will see a horizontal bar that lights up red as each step in the process is completed. Customers will see confirmation of their order being received by the store, when it's being prepared, when it's been placed in the oven, when it's been boxed and placed in the Domino's HeatWave(TM) bag, and finally, when it's on its way for delivery." The service gets even creepier as it gives customers the names of the people that take their phone order and deliver it.
I don't know about you, but I think this is a COMPLETELY unnecessary use of technology and a huge waste of money for Domino's. I thought that the entire reason for ordering a pizza to be delivered was that you were too busy to go pick it up or in the middle of something that could not be interrupted. But for someone to use this service, they have to be sitting at home on their computer obsessing as each step of the process takes place.
Call me stupid, cheap, or just motivated, but if I had the time to sit around and watch as Joe puts my order in the oven, and Paul gets into his car to deliver it, I'd rather save the 3 dollar tip and 2 dollar delivery charge and just go pick it up myself!
Hold on, I think my pizza is here...Wait! I know its here.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
So let's see how this whole Blog thing works...
Welcome to my Blog! My name is Glenn and I am currently a junior at the University of Southern California majoring in Business Administration concentrating in Corporate Finance at the world renowned Marshall School of Business. I'm currently looking for a lucrative summer internship in the business world and have some interviews coming up with Countrywide, AT & T, Apple, and Warner Brothers so if you have any advice I would love to hear it.
And as of the end of January , I am a proud alumni of Starbucks, after having worked there for close to five years. In the time I worked there, I saw the company grow exponentially and their business model change drastically and focus much more heavily on technology.
My experience at the "Bux" has made me much more aware of the use of technology in the food service industry, and restaurants like UWINK have made me even more interested in the extent to which technology is going to revolutionize our dining experience.
I hope this Blog will show you whats going on behind the scenes at your favorite restaurants, and maybe I'll find you some cool new restaurants to try around Los Angeles and elsewhere!
And as of the end of January , I am a proud alumni of Starbucks, after having worked there for close to five years. In the time I worked there, I saw the company grow exponentially and their business model change drastically and focus much more heavily on technology.
My experience at the "Bux" has made me much more aware of the use of technology in the food service industry, and restaurants like UWINK have made me even more interested in the extent to which technology is going to revolutionize our dining experience.
I hope this Blog will show you whats going on behind the scenes at your favorite restaurants, and maybe I'll find you some cool new restaurants to try around Los Angeles and elsewhere!
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