Problem: Various aspects of restaurant service are inefficient by modern standards. The result is some customer dissatisfaction and low productivity from workers. Some inefficiencies have been noted in other postings.

Solutions: SMS, smart phones, and Wi-Fi with web pages. Wi-Fi +web is the most general, so here are a few specifics on that.

Restaurant offers Wi-Fi (becoming common). Customer uses notebook computer or WiFi enabled smart-phone/PDA. Customer can make reservations (from anywhere), Web page records reservations, shows approximate time of availability, with time estimate updated every few minutes. Customer may use this info to determine arrival time or time to stay at the bar.

Customer can access menu and place order. (Discuss and decide at the bar, for example.) Order will be activated when customer is seated and table number entered. Multiple courses can be timed as called for by customer. Cocktails, for example, may be served promptly (maybe as the guests are seated). Other parts of the order would be activated at a mouse click from the host. Order changes (for example, that second cocktail) could be input at any time.

Kitchen and bar get the order from the web screen. No time spent by the wait staff to collect, write, and deliver it. Kitchen and bar may see upcoming orders so they can begin some preparations a little early. Wait staff serves the orders, but spends no time watching the tables. Host orders more beer and more butter via the web.

Host page page always displays estimated bill, based on current order, updating as order changes. Host can review it at leisure. No one brings a paper bill and waits for host to check it. Host pays bill online via exiisting methods. No cashier. No handwork on the transaction. Host can rate various aspects of the service. In real time.

Benefits: Move customers faster, please them, get more thruput per table, reduce staff time per customer.

What do you think of this idea or comment?
(You can change your vote at any time)

I agree

No opinion

I disagree