If your quick service restaurant (QSR) is still using old, outdated network infrastructure, you’re going to be behind the times quicker than you might think. Customers are becoming increasingly accustomed to quality networks at the restaurants they visit, and you don’t want to come across as unable to support them and meet their needs.
Mobile is Here
Customers are ready to engage with restaurants on mobile channels — meaning online browsers or mobile applications. People are almost always on their smartphones, especially while they’re bored or waiting for something. That means that chances are high your patrons will be scrolling through their phones as they wait for their food to be ready. Do you have a network set up to support these needs? Earlier this year, we talked about how wireless wide area networks (WWANs) specifically benefit quick-service restaurants.
If your QSR has its own mobile app, that makes upgrading your restaurant’s network infrastructure even more critical. Now your customers will be using their phones, and the app, while in-store. If your network isn’t strong enough to support customer usage, it could negatively impact the overall dining experience.
Mobile orders are also on the rise. Whether customers are using your custom app or third-party aggregators like DoorDash®, your quick-service restaurant must be able to efficiently receive and fulfill all of these incoming orders.
But the opportunities that come with mobile devices don’t stop there. Customers can browse menus on their phones via QR codes in your restaurant, and you can implement push notifications and advertisements through the app or location-based ads.
Improve Network Connectivity
No matter how you look at it, the time has come to upgrade your network infrastructure and QSR technologies. It’s imperative that your restaurant has a stable, reliable internet connection at all times. If your network is unable to support your customers’ mobile devices along with third-party delivery platforms and your own point of sale (POS) technology, then it needs an upgrade. You’re no longer able to squeak by with the cheap option. Instead, you need speed, coverage, and reliability.
Remember to set up network security, too, as cyber threats are always a possibility. You’ll want to protect your own data, as well as any data your customers may share with you throughout their dining experience.
Work with Professionals
If you know you need an upgrade but aren’t sure where to start, begin by bringing in network specialists. They can evaluate your restaurant’s needs to determine the best upgrade plan. You’ll need an in-depth site survey to create the best solution for you. After all, some restaurants need reliable outdoor Wi-Fi specifically for pickup orders. Others need to focus indoors for customers who are dining in and using their mobile devices to order.
Rolling out a strong network infrastructure will make life easier on your staff and better for your customers. After all, if service is spotty, it’s your in-store team members who will have to hear about it from the customers and handle any complaints that may arise.
For QSR operators and managed service providers who want assistance in identifying their network needs, give Kinettix a call. We’re here to support you with LTE site surveys and recommendations to bring your network infrastructure into the 21st Century. Let us help you leverage QSR tech to its highest potential.
