Chick-fil-A is exploring a variety of ways to accelerate its drive-thru lines, including turning to trusted Apple products and services. A new Insider today it highlights the new initiatives of Chick-fil-A, ranging from ghost kitchens to iPads and FaceTime.
Chick-fil-A is facing criticism for its drive-thru lines, which have grown further amid the COVID-19 pandemic. As today’s report explains, the company faced four lawsuits in 2020 over its drive-thru lines, centered on complaints from adjacent companies that say the lines block their buildings and make it difficult for customers to find parking.
One way for Chick-fil-A to use iPads is to simply take orders. Drive-thru employees in many locations are equipped with iPads to take orders from customers before touching the traditional speaker. The report explains:
The classic drive-thru involves customers who go to a loudspeaker, place an order and then go to a second window to pick up food.
It is not like that at Chick-fil-A. The chain stands out from the drive-thru crowd in large part thanks to its iPad employees who take orders for cars even before they reach the window. At Chick-fil-A, ordering and delivery are “zones”, not defined locations.
Chick-fil-A, however, now wants to take iPad use to the next level. The company is testing a new initiative in which employees work from home and receive orders via FaceTime. In a statement to Insider, Chick-fil-A explained that it is being used by some locals amid bad weather and the pandemic to protect employees:
Chick-fil-A confirmed to Insider that this is essentially a turnaround in technology to get employees out to take orders. The tablet allows customers to see workers face to face, without having to wait for them to arrive at the building.
“Some restaurants are using this during extreme weather as another measure to protect team members and / or for additional social distance during COVID,” said Chick-fil-A in a statement. “It allows the team member to stay indoors, while offering guests the friendly experience of a smiling team member.”
A viral TikTok earlier this month took a look at how this works:
The full report at Insider highlights other initiatives that Chick-fil-A is implementing to speed up its drive-thru lines, including new uniforms, climate protection and heated covers and covers.
FTC: We use affiliate links for cars that generate revenue. Most.
Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more news from Apple: