Tablets take waiting out of restaurants: E la Carte on the cover of SF Chronicle
1–10 of 53 posts
Re: Tablets take waiting out of restaurants: E la Carte on the cover of SF Chronicle
#2With all the Android (and the iPad) options out there, why do they have to roll out their own tablet hardware at all?
(besides the obvious "because it's rugged" answer, which could obviously be solved with a case on any other tablet)
Re: Tablets take waiting out of restaurants: E la Carte on the cover of SF Chronicle
#3I can't think of a way to complement this with out pointing out the obviousness of it. Good job and good timing!
In a way I'm surprised the large chains haven't already started to use customer-facing touch screen ordering, especially with the huge bump paper and printing costs went through several years ago.
Re: Tablets take waiting out of restaurants: E la Carte on the cover of SF Chronicle
#4With all the Android (and the iPad) options out there, why do they have to roll out their own tablet hardware at all? (besides the obvious "because it's rugged" answer, which could obviously be solved with a case on any other tablet)
No reason you couldn't do both, and just have the smartphone app interface with the same system the in-house tablets do. (And not everyone will leave a smartphone.)
Menu systems are simple, and don't need much in the way of processing power. They don't need to be full-featured web browsers, or be able to run high-end games. An e-Ink screen would be enough for most places. This approach even makes sense from a recycling point of view - just use screens from old iPads or Kindles for the in-house tablets.
Re: Tablets take waiting out of restaurants: E la Carte on the cover of SF Chronicle
#5With all the Android (and the iPad) options out there, why do they have to roll out their own tablet hardware at all? (besides the obvious "because it's rugged" answer, which could obviously be solved with a case on any other tablet)
I guess ordering dishes out of your own Android/iPhone feels more like ordering a take-out instead of a sit-in? I think e la carte is intended to offer more on enhanced dining experience, rather than just an easy way to pay for your dinner.
Re: Tablets take waiting out of restaurants: E la Carte on the cover of SF Chronicle
#6> and even calculates the tip
Who the hell are you tipping?
Re: Tablets take waiting out of restaurants: E la Carte on the cover of SF Chronicle
#7I can't think of a way to complement this with out pointing out the obviousness of it. Good job and good timing! In a way I'm surprised the large chains haven't already started to use customer-facing touch screen ordering, especially with the huge bump paper and printing costs went through several years ago.
McDonald's has been testing self-service kiosks on-and-off since at least 2004. There must be some barrier to adoption that's holding it back.
That, plus most quick service restaurants do a majority of their business in the drive-through now. Ever see a line of cars out to the street and then go inside the store? Empty counters.
Re: Tablets take waiting out of restaurants: E la Carte on the cover of SF Chronicle
#8With all the Android (and the iPad) options out there, why do they have to roll out their own tablet hardware at all? (besides the obvious "because it's rugged" answer, which could obviously be solved with a case on any other tablet)
Then the tablet is just a menu. The companies that I have seen working on this kind of product are adding card swipe readers and printers to expedite payment. Otherwise you're still waiting for a server to take your card and come back with a receipt.
That, and you need better signature capture.
Re: Tablets take waiting out of restaurants: E la Carte on the cover of SF Chronicle
#9> and even calculates the tip Who the hell are you tipping?
The person that brings you your food and takes away your plates?
Re: Tablets take waiting out of restaurants: E la Carte on the cover of SF Chronicle
#10[deleted]