Skip the Waitress: Popular Wings Restaurant Could Soon Employ iPad Ordering
- Posted on February 8, 2012 at 1:18pm by
Liz Klimas
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Asian Zing, Spicy Garlic or Blazin’? No matter your spice preference at Buffalo Wild Wings, if you’re a fan of the popular chicken wing chain, you know that running out of wings and finding a server for a refill your plate on wing Tuesday or boneless wing Thursday can be tough.
Don’t you wish you could have some sort of virtual waitress at your booth to place an order the moment you think of it without flagging one down? Wish no more. The wing joint has a pilot program in the works that could put an iPad menu with instant ordering power into your hands sometime in the future.
Huboworks transforms iPads into an ordering platform. (Photo: Hubworks)
ComputerWorld reports that Buffalo Wild Wings has entered phase two of its test in Minneapolis – the first phase was completed in Toronto:
“Ultimately, we are trying to use the technology to enhance the customer experience,” [Tim Murphy, director of international business for the chain] said in an interview. “People are familiar with iPads, iPhones and Android tablets, so this would enhance that.”
The chain hasn’t decided whether to combine purchasing from the device with purely entertainment uses, something it hopes to measure in its tests, Murphy said.
If the chain decides the device can be used for entertainment, it might sell advertising on the tablets, license popular games or even design custom-built games suited to its audience and brand, he said.
B-dubs, as it’s often called by fans, is working with Hubworks, a company that turns iPads into ordering platforms, in this pilot program. According to its website, Hubworks lets guests not only order menu items and play games but they can also pay with a credit card when it’s time to wrap up. The cost of each unit, including the iPad, is $750.
Here’s an example of how it works:
Murphy said to ComputerWorld that they have a lot to work out before you will be using this method to order on wing night. But if it actually helps cut costs and improve restaurant efficiency, the odds favorable that you could see iPads at Buffalo Wild Wings at some point. Murphy also said that they are not intending to replace servers in general with this technology.
[H/T SlashGear]
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1WhoQuestions
Posted on February 15, 2012 at 12:20pmThe iPad solution removes the EyeCandy solution. You can‘t ask an iPad what’s good today for it will say everything.
True story. I was at a Chinese restaurant and the waiter told us that a certain item on the menu was not good today. I think it was the fried salt and pepper calamari, which is usually pretty good. Unusual to hear otherwise.
Electronics have their place in restaurants. However, customer service matters much more as the iPad can make for a very forgettable experience.
Report Post »Mr.Fitnah
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 9:51pmAvoid the hottest wings . They are poison.
Report Post »soybomb315
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 9:30pmobviously a good thing for the overall economy. man oh man there will be alot of unemployed people if every restaurant started doing this. in a free market economy, new jobs would become available in other industries. However, with our entittlements and minimum wage laws – these people might not try or be able to find other work…
Report Post »goodgrubguy
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 8:08pmHey LLoyd, that was about the dumbest thing I’ve heard.
First of all there are several POS companies that have systems utilizing the iPad. Several restaurants, including my own have used hand helds and tableside ordering and payment as well. I used to have a hand held for my helipad service. Several companies also have apps that order food via the internet.If they use table-side, kiosk or web ordering, they will still need the runners, bussers, bartenders, and to some extent, the server. This doesn’t eliminate servers, it redefines their roles but they still need the staff. These types of systems are used to improve service and the guest experience and more over, increase revenue. My restaurants hand helds cost over 2K each. I wish the iPad was out when I had my last group of restaurants. you can show TV shows, movies, play music, look up nutritional info, read a paper or magazine, play games AND use it as a digital menu rather than a printed menu then order it on the iPad and send the orders to the bar or kitchen in seconds! Are you kidding me? Most restaurants spend several thousands printing and binding menus when items change..not with a digital menu. You could also sell some ad spots on the units to generate revenue. This is a good story about a company that is taking advantage of technology!
Report Post »Lloyd Drako
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 5:39pmAmericans who can stuff themselves at BWW will continue to become obese. Now, so will the former servers, who instead of getting exercise will be drawing unemployment and sitting at home watching pizza commercials.
Report Post »zorro
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 5:32pmWow. Obama was right. Technology is reponsible for this crapy economy!!! :-)
Report Post »jl97332
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 5:26pm” Murphy also said that they are not intending to replace servers in general with this technology.”
This is absolutely the reason to implement this type of technology. Why would they need servers if there is a computer panel at the table that you place your order at and buttons to get re-fills and more food?
Report Post »The Ipad costs them 750 dollars, the wages to a typical server for a 52 week period is probably around 10k with taxes and regulations and insurance requirements for the full-time employees.
When a company says the words “ improving processes” it means “hiring less workers”
Firebrand
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 5:20pm…and yet the person who brings your food to the table will still expect 15%.
Report Post »Edward
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 8:56pmIf you dont want to contribute 15% to take care of someone who is waiting on some annoying fat ass then by all means go fast food or even better stay the hell home and cook your damn self. Believe it or not waiters income is based totally on the tips they receive. Their actual wages is laughable, usually no more than 3 bucks an hour. So by all means think about that the next time your out bitching and moaning about the food in front of you. A restaurant is the only place a person can show up, act like a complete ******* and get a free meal out of it.
Report Post »rsanchez1
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 4:09pmWhy am I going to go eat wings at that restaurant if there won’t be any hot waitresses bringing me wings?
Report Post »3monkeysmomma
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 4:01pmThis is not good.
Report Post »I worked my way through college slinging beer and wings!
What will all those ambitious 20 years olds do now?
Gonzo
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 5:36pmWork for ACORN.
Report Post »Bonnieblue2A
Posted on February 9, 2012 at 12:05amThey’ll be cleaning the Buffalo Chicken Wing Sauce off the iPad order screens.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 3:48pmWell, I knew it wasn’t Hooters when I read the headline.
Report Post »seeker9
Posted on February 8, 2012 at 4:43pmWhat went through my head when I read “Skip the Waitress”?
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