With the help of a Field Tablet PC from JLT several McDonalds in the USA are now attempting to speed up their drive-thru operation.

McDonald’s hopes to speed up the slow drive thru process during  daily rush hours but the new process has failed to deliver in the US , primarily in highly populated cites like VA Beach .  The Växjö-based JLT Mobile Computers have delivered manufactured special computers that help the fast food giant increase both turnover and customer satisfaction.

The traditional McDonald’s drive thru is for customers who prefer to be served in their cars. Ordering is usually done via a loudspeaker system or a hatch to the restaurant. Payment is at the next stop and the order is delivered at the final stop. Efficient and good service – until longer queues develop.

As I witnessed  the tablet system, one of the staff members stood  outside in the drive thru among cars holding this  JLT 8404 handheld computer (HHOT – Hand Held Order Taker) and enters the order as soon as a car stops. The orders are wireless transmitted, in arrival order, to the restaurant. The throughput tempo is increased considerably. The process , again , should speed up the process however , as I sat in the busy Mcdonalds drive thru in Virginia Beach, my drivethru experience remained slow and frustrating.

Served in 45 seconds – not quite..