The Thanksgiving holiday travel rush is here, and fast-food and quick-service restaurants (QSRs) across the nation are gearing up for one of the busiest times of the year.
AAA this week projected that 79.9 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Thanksgiving holiday travel period. For the first time, AAA’s forecast includes the Tuesday before and the Monday after Thanksgiving Day, to better capture the flow of holiday travelers. This year’s projection of nearly 80 million travelers is an increase of 1.7 million people compared to last year and 2 million more than in 2019. (Coastal Point)
Additionally, road trips are gaining popularity, with 70% of travelers planning to drive, up from 57% in 2023. This influx will put extra pressure on fast food and QSR drive-thrus to operate at peak efficiency. (Daher et al., 2024, Deloitte)
For restaurant and franchise owners, preparation is everything. Delaying essential updates or routine maintenance on communication systems, order-taking hardware, and other critical equipment could result in failures during peak times.
Here’s a practical guide to getting your drive-thru and QSR equipment ready to handle the holiday rush, ensuring a smooth experience for both your team and your customers.
Why Preparation Matters: The Holiday Rush and Increased Drive-Thru Demand
During this high-demand period, having seamless communication systems and dependable drive-thru equipment becomes critical for ensuring smooth, fast service and keeping customers happy.
Not only do they ensure that orders are processed accurately and quickly, but they also enhance customer satisfaction and retention—a must in a competitive landscape where a seamless experience can set you apart.
Essential Equipment Updates: Ensuring Your Drive-Thru Is Up to Date
Upgrading your drive-thru systems before the holiday rush isn’t just about having the latest technology; it’s about minimizing delays, reducing errors, and maximizing efficiency. Here are a few key updates and maintenance actions to consider:
- Upgrade Communication Headsets and Systems
Communication clarity is key, especially in a busy drive-thru where ambient noise can interfere with order accuracy. Upgrading to the latest headsets and communication systems not only improves sound quality but also enhances the speed and clarity of interactions. With clearer communication, order accuracy improves, cutting down on re-dos and reducing wait times for customers.
- Digital Timers for Drive-Thru Efficiency
Installing or updating digital timers can help you track each order’s time from placement to pick-up, giving managers a better view of bottlenecks in real time. Digital timers are excellent tools for helping team members stay on track with efficiency goals, allowing you to adjust workflows during peak times. They can also be integrated into the system to track speed-of-service metrics, which can improve overall productivity and keep the drive-thru moving smoothly.
- Surveillance Systems for Safety and Efficiency
Surveillance systems aren’t just about security; they can play a key role in improving the drive-thru experience. By monitoring the entire drive-thru area, cameras allow managers to identify any issues such as line buildup, traffic flow problems, or customers needing assistance. Surveillance footage can also be helpful in monitoring staff interactions and identifying any areas for training improvement.
Additionally, it can help prevent or resolve disputes with customers, enhancing the overall experience and protecting your business.
Routine Maintenance: Keeping All Integrated Systems Running Smoothly
Regular maintenance of your drive-thru communications equipment may not seem urgent but skipping it can lead to costly downtime during peak holiday hours. Here are some essential maintenance tasks to tackle before the holiday rush:
- Headset and Communication System Check
Clean and test all headsets, ensuring each unit is functioning properly. Headsets are prone to wear and tear and minor issues can quickly turn into major disruptions. Checking batteries and replacing worn ear pads can help improve comfort and clarity, keeping your staff effective and engaged.
- Speaker and Microphone Testing
Customers expect to be able to place their orders without repeated prompts. Test all speakers and microphones to ensure they’re working clearly. A malfunctioning speaker or muffled microphone can cause order errors, slowing down service and frustrating customers.
Optimize Staffing and Training: Preparing Your Team for the Rush
In addition to equipment, your team plays a critical role in meeting holiday demand. Conduct quick refresher training on holiday protocols, including handling high traffic, upselling techniques, and managing customer interactions. Some restaurants bring on seasonal staff to manage the increased load, but even regular employees benefit from refresher training.
The Importance of Having a Maintenance Plan
As restaurant equipment ages, the likelihood of breakdowns increases, especially during peak demand. Did you know that Business Sound & Communications offers monthly maintenance agreements? Once your manufacturer’s warranty expires, a maintenance agreement provides reassurance that your equipment is covered. With a BSC maintenance plan, you’ll have access to prompt service and repair, which means less downtime and faster resolutions if any issues arise.
With a monthly maintenance agreement, you can conveniently call for service, and because your equipment is already in our system, we can expedite repairs—no need to waste precious time during the holiday rush.
Don’t Let Equipment Issues Dampen Your Holiday Spirit
The holidays are a time for family, celebration, and giving, but for fast-food and QSR businesses, they’re also a time for increased demand and high expectations. By preparing your equipment and investing in regular maintenance, you’re ensuring smoother operation, happier customers, and a stronger bottom line. Drive-thru systems may be the backbone of your QSR, but the effort you put into maintaining them will pay off as satisfied, loyal customers keep coming back throughout the season.
From the team at Business Sound & Communications, here’s to a profitable, well-prepared, and smooth holiday season for your drive-thru!
About BSC
Business Sound & Communications stands ready to assist these ventures in adopting cutting-edge drive-thru communication system technologies – we even offer AI solutions. With over 30 years of expertise optimizing the drive-thru customer journey, BSC can help streamline your operations, ensuring customers enjoy a seamless and swift service experience.
For more information about maintenance contracts on communications systems, contact us on 281-590-3400.
Works Cited
“AAA: Nearly 80M Americans Expected to Travel over Thanksgiving.” Coastal Point, https://www.coastalpoint.com/news/aaa-nearly-80m-americans-expected-to-travel-over-thanksgiving/article_96529548-a836-11ef-a689-4709008a4ed3.html#:~:text=Travelers%20are%20hitting%20the%20road,for%20the%202024%20Thanksgiving%20holiday.&text=AAA%20this%20week%20projected%20that,the%20Thanksgiving%20holiday%20travel%20period. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Daher, M., Crowley, E., Usdin, M., Soderberg, M., Rauch, M., & Naik, U. (2024, May 21). Vacations pass the value test: 2024 Deloitte Summer Travel survey. Deloitte Insights. https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/focus/transportation/2024-summer-leisure-travel-trends.html
