Computers in Food Service
Computers in Food Service
Technology has infiltrated almost every
industry. Computers are found everywhere. One of the prevalent applications of
this is observed in the restaurant industry, particularly fast food. Technology
has revolutionized fast food service—the computer’s steam line service,
starting with ordering. Innovative restaurants have pioneered point-of-order
touchscreens (Figure 1) for in-store orders and mobile apps (Figure 2) for
customers to order before entering the doors. Once the customers enter their
orders into the computer, they are sent to the kitchen and displayed on monitors
at every station. This allows the orders to be split into parts, only sending
relevant details of the order to the station necessary to assemble this item.
Figure
1: Kress, M. (2022, Dec. 1). Sheetz Order Points [Photograph].
Figure
2: Sheetz. (n.d.). Mobile App [Photograph].
While this application allows for faster
processing of orders, it does much more. When orders are placed online with the
mobile app, or customers order in-store and use a discount card provided by the
business, the data is saved from the customers' purchases. The company then
data mines this information. This data is used to track customer frequency,
send targeted emails to attract customers with promotional offers generated
from their previous purchases, track sales of items, and even produce customer
satisfaction surveys. The software is also used to track order times, ensuring
orders are processed quickly and allowing the customer to view the process of
their order. New menu items are tracked to observe their popularity and
troubleshoot issues. Items can be accessed, and data is available for average
processing time across stores.
After orders are sent to the kitchen, computerized
technology is used to process the orders. An automated beverage dispenser
(Figure 3) creates and dispenses beverages. This machine’s operating system is
compatible with the company’s order point system, allowing drinks to be assembled
as soon as the order is entered into the system. This equipment can make
specialty orders, eliminating the need for additional staff and ensuring
consistent quality control.
Figure
3: Miso Robotics. (2021) Automatic Beverage Dispenser [Photograph].
Computer advances are also found
throughout the equipment used in the kitchen. Touchscreen fryers (Figure 4) and
grills (Figure 5) are programmed with cooking times to enhance quality control.
The programs in these machines are used for more than just standard cooking.
These machines can track the use, cleanliness, cleaning, and errors. These fryers
have sensors to monitor the oil quality and track how often each vat is used. The
application will prompt employees to filter or dispose of the oil as necessary.
If the employees neglect the prompts for cleaning, the program will lock the
system, shutting down the equipment until the issues are addressed. The
software tracks these processes, and the machine sends reports detailing
whether cleaning criteria are met to the corporate office. The clamshell
griddle has a similar monitoring system, recording when the device has been
taken offline for cleaning. When detailed reports are generated to the
company’s headquarters, stores that have not met standards are flagged, and
automatic emails are sent to the appropriate upper management to address such
issues.
Figure
4: Webstraurant. (2023). Frymaster Touchscreen Industrial Fryer
[Photograph].
Figure
5: Webstraurant. (2023). Touchscreen Garland Clamshell Griddle
[Photograph].
Additionally, tablets are provided with several
applications to assist employees. One app is used to track daily tasks and
ensure that each store meets the criteria within the company. Another app with a
Bluetooth® probe thermometer measures food temperature, refrigerators,
freezers, and equipment. This information is automatically forwarded to the
corporate office and flagged as necessary. Additional applications may include,
but are not limited to, product coding, instructional videos for completing
required tasks, and emergency services.
Computers have become necessary in the
fast-food industry, allowing food to be produced fast, efficiently, and with a quality
standard. However, this requires employees to have a basic level of computer
literacy. Employees must be capable of operating the equipment and computers. They
are responsible for troubleshooting. Furthermore, employees are trained to
inspect sales point-of-order systems for scammers and other fraudulent devices.
Considering this technology, it is incredible
how far this industry has come. What will the subsequent advances be? Steps to allow
the kitchen equipment to run on a network and their operating systems to
connect. A simple robotic arm would allow for a completely automated station. This
concept is being pioneered today, as shown in “Will Robots Replace Fast Food Workers?” (CNBC, 2023). An automated kitchen enables
orders to be placed on mobile devices and the customer’s location monitored
(with permission). Orders may then be started when the customer is near the area.
The networking of the kitchen appliances would allow orders to be cooked according
to preparation duration. This would ensure the product is always hot, fresh,
and ready.
References
CNBC.
(2023, January 10). Will Robots Replace Fast Food Workers? [Video].
YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJkQkr3Yy2Q
Guszkowski,
J. (2021, June 21). Miso Robotics Launches Automated Beverage Dispenser.
Restaurant Business.
Kress,
M. (2022, December 1). Sheetz Order Points [Photograph].
https://csnews.com/sheetz-aims-put-itself-out-business
Miso
Robotics. (2021) Automatic Beverage Dispenser [Photograph]. https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/technology/miso-robotics-launches- automated-beverage-dispenser
Sheetz.
(n.d.). Mobile App [Photograph]. https://www.sheetz.com/app
Webstraurant.
(2023). Frymaster Touchscreen Industrial Fryer [Photograph].
Webstraurant.
(2023). Touchscreen Garland Clamshell Griddle [Photograph].
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