LOVELAND, CO and CHEYENNE, WY — Rob Woodward, a seasoned entrepreneur with two decades of experience and ownership of 25 successful Subway franchises, has recently upgraded several of his locations with cutting-edge NEXTEP SYSTEMS touch-screen kiosks. This technological enhancement, first implemented in restaurants across Loveland, Colorado, and Cheyenne, Wyoming, aims to revolutionize the drive-thru experience for both customers and staff.
Woodward, who now operates four locations with these advanced kiosks, emphasized their efficiency and profitability. “The only way to do drive-thru today is with this kiosk,” Woodward remarked. He highlighted the prior inefficiencies of traditional drive-thrus that required a dedicated employee to manage complex orders. The new system not only speeds up the process but also ensures greater accuracy and cost-effectiveness, resulting in a 15% increase in sales and a significant reduction in labor by 40 hours per week per store.
According to Woodward, an average store can recoup the investment in a NEXTEP SYSTEMS kiosk within six months, thanks to the additional profits generated. He explained, “The interactive kiosks are not shy about prompting customers for double meat or extra cheese,” which contributes to larger orders and increased sales.
NEXTEP SYSTEMS kiosks now account for 30% to 35% of sales in Woodward’s restaurants, with projections indicating a clear profit increase. “A $10,000 per week store would generate an additional $1,500 in weekly sales,” Woodward calculated, demonstrating the substantial financial benefits of this technology.
Tommy Woycik, president of NEXTEP SYSTEMS, shared future plans to enhance the kiosk functionality with integrated payment systems and personalized customer recognition capabilities. “Throughput speed and customer satisfaction will increase even further once we enable customer payment at the kiosks this spring,” Woycik anticipated.
Since collaborating with Subway in 2005, NEXTEP SYSTEMS has provided robust solutions for automated ordering across various high-volume venues. Their kiosks are equipped with weatherproof interactive touch screens and feature innovative technologies such as ambient light sensors, Display Positioning Systems (DPS), and proximity sensors, enhancing the user experience and operational efficiency.
With more than 30,000 franchise locations globally, Subway’s recent initiative to include a full breakfast menu, supported by NEXTEP’s technology, positions the brand to compete effectively in the fast-food breakfast segment. Woodward is optimistic about the role of NEXTEP kiosks in bolstering Subway’s drive-thru performance, emphasizing the potential for increased speed, accuracy, and profitability.
About NEXTEP SYSTEMS
NEXTEP SYSTEMS, headquartered in Troy, Michigan, specializes in automated ordering solutions for diverse sectors including QSRs, casinos, airports, and more. Their core offerings encompass self-service kiosks, dynamic digital menu displays, and online ordering platforms, ensuring streamlined operations and enhanced customer experiences across the board.
Reference: Nextep Systems
