Last Blog...Oops late

So I know that this last blog is late but when have I had an on time this trimeter? Just was 2 days off the due date, maybe half credit is in order? I liked this class; I always like classes where someone can express what and how they feel about something as part of their grade. Obviously I learned a lot about technology and the food service business. But the most important thing I took away from researching this topic was how rejecting the American people are about technology in restaurants. Our topic, QSR certainly has and uses technology to its advantage and seems will continue today so, but fine dining and regular restaurants, technology in them only really seems to be flurishing in western Europe and Asian countries more than I would exspect.

Blog Conclusion

I learned that blogging is a way to connect with other people who are interested in things you are and it helps you gain information faster by fellow bloggers. I saw some really great articles about technology in QSR and on site by my other group members that I couldn’t find my self. The only down side to blogging was having to depend on other people for your grade. If someone posts there blog last minute or you forget to comment on there’s your grade is affected.
I liked that I was fortunate enough to be in a small group so I did not have to worry about commenting on everyone’s post. Although blogging is a good way to connect with other people about certain topics and could be useful to find certain information, I do not know if I would want to use blogs in the future; I didn’t really care for it.
The blog that I found interesting is “Food Trends Blog,” it discusses the influences shaping food and beverage consumers and markets, today and tomorrow. I think this would be a great blog to follow when I start working in a restaurant. I could use this in helping my job to try and come up with new items or as a guide to where I can take new special options on menus. Check this blog out! http://landis.foodtrends.com/

FINAL POST!!!!!!!

So contemporary issues had its ups and downs. I somewhat liked this class because it forced me to read articles and keep up to date on current food news.what i disliked was the blogging and printing of the articles. i thought the printing of the articles was kind of a waste of paper we should have maybe emailed the links to the professor. i did not like the blogging because sometimes the internet would be down for some people and posts could not be made and the student would get penalized for it. the concept of blogging is good though. As far as blogging in the future i dont think i will be blogging but, i might decide to follow a blog. Like this blog http://chocolateandzucchini.com/. It looks interesting so i might keep up with it. well the class has been fun!! Good luck to all

A General Wrap up for the second to last post.

Since this will be my second to last post with the last one being a summery of what I have learn throughout the trimester, I decided to be a little broad with an article this week.
This Article, from the QSR website has a list of the technologyies that quick service restaurants are using to better themselves within the industry. The article points out how technology isn't a critical role for what we do in the industry but how it is helping companies make better profits and cut costs in certain areas. It also touches on the programs that Frank posted his recent article on; the computer programs that help with scheduling employees. McDonald's created there own bump button for drive through s and as well as the coin dispensers that you will see in QSR's as Subway. Overall a good article and some cool new technologies to look at

New Tech making scheduling easier

This article talks about all the different programs that are just comming out online. these programs allow an employer to post schedules online so that employees can always have access to when they work. this can be great in a QSR making it easier and faster for management and very convienient for all employees. Just think at how easy it would be to request a day off from work by just going online!!

http://www.qsrmagazine.com/articles/operations/129/schedules-1.phtml?microsite=human_resources

Synthetic Alcohol Could Eliminate Regret-Filled Nights

^Click on photo for link for article^
“Synthetic Alcohol Could Eliminate Regret-Filled Nights” is an article written by Ariel Schwartz. It talks about how they are trying to develop a beverage that gives you the buzz like alcohol does minus the drowsy feeling. Imagine going out with your friends getting drunk and taking a pill that will sober you up and allow you to drive home! Well that’s what this article talks about doing. In London they are trying to create a product that is made from Valium-like benzodiazepines which gives you that happiness feeling without affecting the part of your brain that has mood swings. This I feel would be a great product if they can make this happen. Guys check it out!

Robots?

Oh No! Are we out of jobs?
Lol, no I bet we're not, how cool is this product? This article is about a restaurant in china that has replaced the waiter and waitress with......you guessed it; a robot! The machine shows customers to their tables takes orders through a microphone, where a human makes the food. The article doesn't say if it brings the food to the table, although I would believe it if it did. This article also mentions that the creator wants to have the robots making food someday.
Today mobile POS's with the waiter/waitress, tomorrow robot who do it wirelessly or even blue-tooth.

Blast Chiller proves vital

This article is about how more and more restaurants are starting to use blast chillers. They are starting to use blast chillers to prevent food borne illness as well as improve productivity of the kitchen, improve flavor and shelf life. The blast chiller is a vital piece of technology in the kitchen the article states and I agree.
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Burger King Launches iPhone App

This new iPhone app article is about how advanced technology has become especially with cell phones and how it relates to the food industry. Now on your iPhone you can do more then order a pizza from pizza hut you can order a burger and fries from your phone. The app allows you to order your food from your phone and you can go and pick it up.

When you log onto your app it shows you where the nearest Burger King is. You can customize your order and switch your sides and pay for it all on your phone. Buy using your Burger King app it allows you to place your order and cut the lines and you can run in and grab your food and go. There testing this app out in Queens NY to see how it goes and then are going to expand it if all is well. It’s a great article on how the fast food industry crosses over with technology, check it out guys.

http://m.qsrmagazine.com/?rm=story&id=8718

POS

Mobile POS Systems
I think this article; and the technology it talks about. Why haven't we seen this sooner, since the whole world seems to be mobile nowa days. These mobile POS systems are going to be great for large chains, and some fast food establishments. I hope that the 'on-site' venues find someway to use this technology as well.

Cooking with Magnets

To us an induction burner really is not new but out in the world a lot of people dont know what it is. This article explains what an induction burner is and how it can save money in a restaurant. If more restaurants start using more of these they will be using a lot less energy.

http://gizmodo.com/5348493/cooking-with-magnets-an-intro-to-induction

New London Restaurant Has Interactive Touch Tables With eMenus and Digital Tablecloths

This article is about a restaurant in London that has touch table eMenus and digital tablecloths. The tables function by use overhead projectors and touch panels on the tables to display things like menus. It also allows you to change the tablecloths to what you like. It also talks about how you can play games on it well you’re waiting for your food and how you can order a taxi for a ride. This article is great and shows how fast technology is and how restaurants are taking advantage of it.

http://gizmodo.com/5060844/new-london-restaurant-has-interactive-touch-tables-with-emenus-and-digital-tablecloths

Chipotle uses Tech to help open new location in 2010

Chipotle is using a new concept kitchen that has reduced the size of its kitchens. This will help the chain enter smaller markets (stores) and make a more speedy store opening process.
http://www.nrn.com/article.aspx?id=378086

New app for Pizza Hut reaches a one million dollar sale

The article I chose was “Pizza Hut iPhone App Reaches One Million Dollar Sales Milestone”. This article was posted in October 29, 2009 and it is about how pizza hut is the first pizza chain to create an app that can be used on your iPhone and iPod touch. It gives you a creative way to order your pizza by actually choosing the size of your pizza by dragging your finger. If you place too many toppings on the pizza it explodes all over the screen. It also talks about how the Pizza Hut app has won two MMA awards. It also offers you a game to play well you are waiting for your order to be delivered. This is a great article on how chain restaurants are using technology to their advantage.

http://www.restaurantnewsresource.com/article41951Pizza_Hut_iPhone_App_Reaches_One_Million_Dollar_Sales_Milestone.html

http://gizmodo.com/5366650/starbucks-app-uses-your-iphone-to-pay-for-lattes

this could be the next thing in fast food..Iphone apps are becoming more popular and making things more convenient for customers. what do you think?