Demand for line-busting and wireless ordering/payment applications is extending beyond traditional dining establishments to encompass venues such as movie theaters, some of which utilize hand-held devices.
"Movie theaters and stadiums are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of new 'fringe' hospitality technology avenues now open to VARs," observes Andre Nataf, senior business development manager, Digital Dining /Menusoft Systems.
Leebro POS, a New York City-based VAR, capitalized on the opportunity Nataf describes by configuring a mobile ordering and payment solution for Brooklyn Bowl. Located in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, the venue has 23,000 square feet of space, including 16 lanes of bowling, a full-service restaurant with about 70 seats and a large concert area. "On any given weekend, 1,500 people visit Brooklyn Bowl within the span of a few hours," explains Jason Lee, Leebro POS managing partner. "The client wanted a flexible solution that would provide guests with a seamless experience and improve customer service and efficiencies."
To this end, Leebro POS configured a system comprising Digital Dining POS software and Motorola MC50 hand-held computers fitted with magnetic stripe readers for remote credit card acceptance. Staff uses the hand-helds to take guests' food and beverage orders and transmit them to the kitchen, whether from restaurant tables or the bowling lanes.
"Ordering remotely from the bowling lanes makes things run smoothly because guests aren't stopping play to go get drinks or food, which can create a backlog of people waiting," Lee says. "It also speeds up service in the restaurant. And transferring checks around the facility is not only a convenience for guests; it saves the staff a significant amount of time."
