Jan 16, 2008 10:53 pm US/Central
Restaurant Lets Customers Order By Computer
uWink Franchise Uses Touchscreen Menus
(CBS)
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A new restaurant franchise, uWink, uses touchscreen computers to allow customers to place their orders, play games while they wait for food, and even cash out after they're done with their meal.
CBS
Some people like getting their own plane ticket the airport and scanning the food at the grocery store.
Now, CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker reports, people can do it at the restaurant – use a touch screen to place the order instead of waiting for a server.
Ever find yourself in a busy restaurant, unable to get the attention of your waiter? It can be frustrating, but that's not a problem anymore for customers some restaurants, thanks to table-side touch screens.
"It's cooler placing your own order on the computer than having a waitress come up and do it," said one customer.
The order goes directly from your fingertips to the kitchen or bar.
The new technology is being used at uWink, the latest offering from Nolan Bushnell, the founder of Chuck E Cheese. The company says it leads to faster service, less mistakes and fewer interruptions.
"Whenever you want that extra glass of wine or a dessert, bingo it happens right away," Bushnell said.
The National Restaurant Association has labeled self-service technology one of the industry's top trends to watch...for all kinds of restaurants from fast food to gourmet.
Critics fear the trend will lead to less attentive waiters. But Hudson Riehle with the restaurant association believes just the opposite will happen.
"Many of these systems actually have controls in them which can summon the wait staff upon demand," Riehle said, adding that some customers will always prefer a full service experience...
But most diners who've used the touch screens love them, especially when they're allowed to close their own bills or play games while they wait.
"We've had people from all age groups, and even seniors which we didn't expect at all, come back over and over again, having a great time," Bushnell said.
Many national fast food chains are currently testing self-service kiosks in some of their restaurants and drive-throughs so be on the look out for them.
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