Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Table Touch Screen Terminals To Replace Waiters
wcbstv.com via Drudge ^ | 1/9/2008 | Kirstin Cole

Posted on 1/9/2008, 2:13:20 PM by shove_it

CBS 2 HD has learned a new trend will be found at your favorite restaurants, allowing customers to place their own orders without the need of servers.

Ever find yourself unable to get the attention of a waiter? It can be frustrating. But soon that may be a problem of the past thanks to new tableside touch screens.

"It's cooler placing your own order on the computer than having a waitress come up and do it," restaurant customer Amanda Rosengarten told CBS 2 HD.

That's because the order goes directly from your fingertips to the kitchen or bar, eliminating the possibility of human error during the transaction process. The new technology is being used at uWink, the latest offering from the founder of Chuck E. Cheese. The company said the new system is providing faster service, fewer mistakes and fewer interruptions.

"Whenever you want ... that extra glass of wine or a dessert … bingo, it happens right away," said Nolan Bushnell of uWink.

"It seems a lot more immediate. If I happen to change my mind or need an additional dish, I can order it right away even if the server is busy doing something else," patron Julie Lightner said.

The National Restaurant Association has labeled self-service technology as one of the industry's top trends to watch, including fast-food restaurants to gourmet.

"Forty-six percent of all adults in America today indicate a likelihood of using these systems at a restaurant," said Hudson Riehle of the National Restaurant Association.

Critics fear the trend will lead to less attentive waiters, but Riehle believes the opposite to be true.

"Many of these systems actually have controls in them which can summon the wait staff upon demand," Riehle said.

Riehle also told CBS 2 HD some customers will always prefer a full service experience. However, most diners who've used the touch screens are reporting positive feedback, especially, he said, when they're allowed to close their own bills, or play games while they wait.

"We've had people from all age groups, 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 these self-service kiosks in some of their own restaurants and drive-thrus.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: food
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 101-113 next last
Uh oh -- another wave of waitri flooding into the real estate sales field.
1 posted on 1/9/2008, 2:13:21 PM by shove_it
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: shove_it

More outsourcing! I blame Bush!


2 posted on 1/9/2008, 2:14:03 PM by goodwithagun (My gun has killed less people than Ted Kennedy's car.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: shove_it

Who’s gonna hump the chow from the kitchen to the tables? Just wonderin’.


3 posted on 1/9/2008, 2:17:34 PM by shove_it (and have a nice day)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: shove_it

Smart idea for both customers and restaurants, in my opinion. In busy places, the cost of the system would quickly be made up in increased customer turnover, since patrons wouldn’t have to wait for a server to show up to request a takeout box and the check.


4 posted on 1/9/2008, 2:18:17 PM by Tax-chick ("The keys to life are running and reading." ~ Will Smith)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: shove_it

Won’t replace the Hooter babes.


5 posted on 1/9/2008, 2:18:52 PM by duckman (I refuse to use a tag line...I mean it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: shove_it

W.h.a.t..d.o..y.o.u..r.e.c.c.o.m.e.n.d.?.

Processing.......

Chef selections recommended this evening:
...Grouper Almondine
...Mahi Mahi with Mango Chutney Sauce
...Shrimp Fra Diavalo

O.K..I.’.l.l..t.a.k.e..t.h.e..M.a.h.i.

C.o.u.l.d..I..g.e.t..a..n.e.w..s.p.o.o.n.?.


6 posted on 1/9/2008, 2:19:06 PM by Sax
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tax-chick

How much do you tip the computer?


7 posted on 1/9/2008, 2:19:47 PM by andy58-in-nh (Kill the terrorists, secure the borders, and give me back my freedom.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: shove_it
Just hope the power doesn't go out, malfunctions, etc. No one will know what you ordered (including yourself at times).

I never worked at a place where the credit card machine didn't fail at least once a month and we had to drag out the ol' slider and fill in the info by hand.

8 posted on 1/9/2008, 2:20:52 PM by synbad600
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: shove_it

Wait until the Food Service Workers Union finds out.


9 posted on 1/9/2008, 2:21:05 PM by SoFloFreeper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: duckman

Nothing will ever, ever replace them. Most secure (from off-shoring/out-sourcing) job in America.


10 posted on 1/9/2008, 2:21:28 PM by 1rudeboy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: andy58-in-nh
How much do you tip the computer?

Two bits should be sufficient. :=)

11 posted on 1/9/2008, 2:21:57 PM by Bob
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: shove_it
"Who’s gonna hump the chow from the kitchen to the tables? Just wonderin’."These two haven't worked in years. They're available. ;)
12 posted on 1/9/2008, 2:22:56 PM by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: shove_it

I like this idea.


13 posted on 1/9/2008, 2:23:19 PM by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: trisham

I did this in the ‘60s at an A & W Drive-in from my car...


14 posted on 1/9/2008, 2:25:55 PM by Eric in the Ozarks (ENERGY CRISIS made in Washington D. C.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: shove_it
eliminating the possibility of human error during the transaction process.

Riiiiight. Anyone who has ever worked Tech Support knows that human error is next to impossible with computer use.

15 posted on 1/9/2008, 2:26:30 PM by CholeraJoe ("At last my arm is complete!" Sweeney Todd)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Eric in the Ozarks

A & W was pretty cool. Are they still around?


16 posted on 1/9/2008, 2:27:10 PM by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: andy58-in-nh; Froufrou
"How much do you tip the computer?"

Two bits.
17 posted on 1/9/2008, 2:27:10 PM by Hegemony Cricket (Although most dead people vote democrat, aborted babies, if given the choice, would vote Republican.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Bob

Dang it - beat me by about five minutes!


18 posted on 1/9/2008, 2:28:07 PM by Hegemony Cricket (Although most dead people vote democrat, aborted babies, if given the choice, would vote Republican.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: shove_it

Great way to spread germs in a restaurant!


19 posted on 1/9/2008, 2:28:12 PM by hedgetrimmer (I'm a billionaire! Thanks WTO and the "free trade" system!--Hu Jintao top 10 worst dictators)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: shove_it

Add to my comments in #15, “Especially when dealing with dopers and seniors.”


20 posted on 1/9/2008, 2:28:31 PM by CholeraJoe ("At last my arm is complete!" Sweeney Todd)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 101-113 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson