Pizza Hut iPhone App

Pizza Hut's ordering app came out in August 2009, so it's not the newest app out there, but it is pretty cool regardless. Like the Domino's website, you can build your pizza visually before ordering. On the iPhone this works by dragging the toppings from the pictures on the top of the screen to the pizza or just tapping the items. There is a video about the app on YouTube that describes the various features, including finding a nearby location, finding deals and saving your favorite pizza for frequent ordering. It's fun.




-Molly

Online Menu Database

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/view-any-restaurant-menu-openmneu/

This menu site is working to collect menus from every kind of restaurant so that potential consumers can type in what they want to eat (i.e. chocolate cake) and the search will tell you what restaurants in your area are serving cake.

The search engine is at http://openmenu.com/search/

While the menus are being collected at http://openmenu.com/projects.php

I am a little skeptical, because I just typed in a search for "Pad Thai" in the "14850" zip code and it returned places in San Diego, CA. However, that issue aside, it seemed to be similar to what was spoken about in 4451 today, many 6606'ers are in that class, about the ability to search all the roast beef sandwiches on 50 different menus and compare prices. I think that once this web site is out of its beta testing, it will have this ability. This could cause price wars between restaurants for specific menu items the way consumers can currently go online and compare plane ticket fares.

When Envy in on the Menu

Here is an article from The Atlantic about when customers notice other customers getting VIP treatment:

http://www.theatlantic.com/food/archive/2009/06/when-envy-is-on-the-menu/20275/

Homework 2 - iPhone & iPad Apps

VeganXpress is a new app that gives vegans the option of checking QSR & FC restaurant menus to see if they have items that do not contain animal products (honey still seems to be a bit of a gray area). Initial reviews among vegans are positive.

Link to VeganXpress

Another App, which can also be used on the operations side, is called MenuPad. It has been rolled out in Australia and it allows guests to order directly from an ipad. The real benefit seems to be for the restaurant management because prices can be changed easily (demand pricing), there is no need for printing, and customers can drill down into menu items to get additional information without asking servers.

No photo yet but here is a great summary in YouTube:

This is a new private-label app that is supposed to increase order accuracy and turnover.

OrderTalk iPad App For Mobile Meal Ordering (from website) :


An iPad app produced by OrderTalk brings mobile check out for quick service and full service restaurants. These hand-held terminals allow restaurant employees to collect order info and relay it to the ticket printer in the kitchen. Restaurants take orders from in-line customers and have the food prepared and ready to go when reaching the counter. The app from OrderTalk reduces the chances of error and creates a more efficient process of taking customers orders. Customers at participating restaurants can order food from their personal or restaurant-provided iPads with the installed app

Ipads Impacting Wine Sales

Just like we spoke about in class today, the NYTimes also agrees that electronic gadgets are a great way to increase revenue. Check out one of the feature articles in the Dining Out section this week!

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/15/dining/15ipad.html?_r=1&ref=dining