It always pays to get a lot of opinions when you are about to open a restaurant, especially from those "in the know", so here goes:
We are in the late development stages for a full-service casual dining restaurant with a twist. The diners in the restaurant will place their orders using a POS system designed for ease of use with a quick learning curve. Loaded with pictures, nutritional information (for carb. and calories counters) and several options, including a text box for special instructions ("Hold the onions on my patty melt on wheat"), the system is being designed to be intuitive for the most basic computer users. Additional features include a tab and gratuity calculator, text messaging to reach staff or management, item/ ingredient exclusion (diners with food allergents can exclude those items or item ingredients from their menu) and preference saving (save your customized menu with a password).
To facilitate this arrangement the restaurant will provide notebook computers for every customer 16 and over (up to 175 per location). The ruggidized notebooks can withstand standing water, repeated drops from 40 inches, temperature extremes and general misuse and abuse. They also feature large 15" touchscreens, in addition to a touchpad and full keyboard. Using wireless technology with multiple layers of security, the notebooks provide a high level of customization for the diner, including translation into several languages at the touch of a button. Tables in the restaurant are enlarged to hold four (4) notebooks and four (4) place settings with elbow room for four (4) 6' 2" diners.
While the wireless network can be accessed with any compatible notebook, only the notebooks available from the restaurant can access the food and beverage server. Highspeed Internet access is available for a flat-rate of $3/hr. once the minimun purchase (usually $10) has been satisfied. Accessing sites from links on the menu itself are free (ex.
http://www.cokemusic.com/home/index.jsp?section=cokefm).
As for security, there are no chains, cords or securing devices to keep the notebooks in one place. If they are removed from the location, a security program locks the notebook programming and disables operation. GPS tags provide notebook location for up to 72 hours if it is removed from the restaurant, even if the battery is removed. Attempts to alter menu programming or access the server without permission inside the restaurant send a signal notifying management and shutdown the notebook. Guest under 21 are restricted from the alcoholic beverage menu; those under 18 are blocked from 'adult content' sites. (Waitstaff enters the D.O.B. before handing the notebook over to the customer).
Speaking of waitstaff, there is a full staff on hand (1:4 service staff-to-tables) to see to the needs of the customers and deliver food. They will each carry PDA-type devices to keep up with customer service demands and to access the network. Management will also carry the same device. The host station will use a notebook and act as an instant responder to any text-messages from customers, directing staff to a table if the customer needs immediate attention. (While I use the term 'waitstaff' they are actually more of customer service agents, or CSA, since the most important part of their job is customer service).
To combat slow tableturn, customers may use the bar area or outside overlook area (the actual restaurant will be on the third (top) floor of a retail complex) once their meal is finished if they would like to continue to use the Internet function of the network. It will seat a maximum of 140, with network capacity to hand close to 200 users.
Here's the cool part: 3 additional revenue streams. Beyond food and beverage sales, Internet access fees and advertising links from the menu draw in revenue. Access fees alone will more than cover the leasing cost of the notebooks, while advertising links will add to the operating income after covering network system operating cost. Web-site advertising cost (different from menu advertising links) will also add to operating income levels. So now you have
food sales,
beverage sales,
access fees,
menu advertising fees, and
web site advertising fees all contributing to income.
I'm pretty sure I have answered every question anyone could ever come up with before, but you are welcome to try. I look forward to your comments and suggestions. If you want more information, you can go to our site at jsetechnologies.com and request it. Also, this concept is designed to be a national chain and we are actively looking for investors for this concept and its' sister-concept. The technology involved in marketing and advertising is its' own business model, but I'm not going to go into that right now.
So, give whatcha got.....