New shopping mall’s caterers demonstrate the variety of technologies available to solve issues such as food quality, table management and customer service
The new Westfield shopping mall at Stratford boasts a selection of eateries including top high street names such as Jamie’s Italian, TGI Fridays and Wahaca. Six of the foodservice operations have installed specialist communications, table management and restaurant automation solutions from Edgware-based hospitality specialist Call Systems Technology (CST).
“We’ve supplied a variety of packages tailored to the individual operator,” says CST group commercial director Ashley Sheppard. “The businesses are taking different approaches to solving a similar problem, notably how to improve customer service while maximising business during peak periods.”
TGI Fridays uses CustomerCall pagers, which are given to a party when they arrive. The pager alerts them when their table is ready – in the meantime, rather than having to queue, they can go to the bar for a drink or even go window shopping in the nearby stores.
Meanwhile both Jamie’s Italian and Wahaca have adopted CST’s kitchen automation solution, developed in the USA by QSR, to organise their chefs’ work schedules. The system speeds up service and enhances food quality, ensuring that all orders for a table are ready at the same time.
Giraffe is using another QSR solution, Hostess, for table management. The system organises tables to provide accurate customer waiting times and maximise turnover. Giraffe estimates it adds at least 10% to its business in busy times.
Additionally, The All Star Lanes and the Premier Inn at Westfield are also using CST’s communication systems.
“Leading hospitality operators are increasingly investing in technology to provide better answers to issues as varied as customer service and food quality,” says Ashley Sheppard. “Our involvement in Westfield illustrates the diversity of hi-tech solutions available to achieve measurable results.”
For details, freephone Call Systems Technology on 0800 389 5642 or 020 8381 1338, email the company at sales@call-systems.com or visit the CST website www.call-systems.com.