Are you one of those who can’t wait to bite into a Big Mac? Well, technology has a treat for you. Along with pickles, cheese, and relish, the high tech world is topping your burger with super quick service. Whetted your appetite? Want to know more?
First, you have to be a wired burger eater. With cell phone in hand, you can have lunch in a jiffy. Just press a few buttons on your cell phone, park in a special spot under the golden arches, and all you have to do is grab your bag and go. No ordering, no waiting, no pulling out the wallet, no messing with change. All this, thanks to technology and McQuick.
Besides a cell phone, users will need access to the Internet because McQuick is very Web based. Borrowing the pre-paid calling card concept, McQuick-ers make a deposit in a special account and then draw down on their pre-deposited funds. The McQuick Web site requires an account to be opened with at least a $10 deposit. The fun is surfing to this Web site to combine items for five different meal orders. Later using your cell phone, just order your customized meal by number. With as few as two keystrokes, your order is in.
From its conception, McDonalds has been determined to be quick. Now the fast food giant is attempting to be super quick. McDonald’s market studies show impatient customers will pay for the right not to wait. Standing in line and having to wait is a huge negative for Americans, especially hungry ones.
It makes sense that McDonalds would try out its McQuick service in the technology- friendly area of the Pacific Northwest. Three restaurants in the Seattle suburbs are being used as a market test. So far, reports are favorable that the system is working.
If burgers aren’t your bag, how about coffee? For some reason, quickness seems more critical for that early morning cup of coffee than that lunchtime hamburger. Starbucks is also in this super quick game and is using the Seattle area, as well, for their own test market. A small private wireless services firm named Ontain Corp is supporting both Starbucks and McDonalds.
