The Incorporation of Technology Benefits Restaurants

The incorporation of technology into the customer experience has resulted in several well-known restaurant brands making headlines lately

Some of the benefits that technology can offer restaurants are improved order accuracy, higher revenues, and in-store entertainment options. One example of the latter is Chili's, where patrons, at many locations, can now play trivia games with each other and order drinks from devices at their table. Applebee’s made public, at the conclusion of fourth quarter 2014, that they plan to deliver 1,800 tablets to restaurants throughout 2015.

In France, patrons can now order a Big Mac directly from their mobile device for future in-store pick up at McDonald’s. This ability to order directly from their smart-device eases the anxiety and pressure some customers might experience as they peruse the menu in the drive-thru lane. As a result, the option to order remotely has “significantly increased the average revenue per order”, according to market analyst Thomas Husson.

This type of “self-service” mechanism is not a new phenomenon in business. Banks have long relied on ATM’s as a convenient means to service their customers after hours, while big-box retailers such as Walmart introduced self-check-out kiosks at their stores years ago. However, until recently, technology has not played as large a role with fast-casual restaurants, and they have relied largely on employees to render services.  

Global Trash Solutions helps restaurants in their efforts to increase revenue

Global Trash Solutions specializes in off-site management of waste and recycling services, reduces the cost of waste and recycling service by an average of 38%, and provides companies with a sole point of contact for all waste and recycling needs. This translates to millions of dollars annually in savings for restaurants who utilize the services rendered by Global Trash Solutions.

In addition to streamlining waste management processes, Global Trash Solutions educates restaurants about advancements in technology related to compaction equipment and balers.

One way Global Trash Solutions helps restaurants in their efforts to increase revenue has been via trash compaction technology. Trash compactors improve logistics, minimize the time garbage trucks spend on the parking lot, and saves businesses money in the process.

Global Trash Solutions' clients are benefiting from compaction technology such as this quarter's featured product.

The GTS X-Press Pack Compactor

The X-Press Pack Compactor, is designed to save space and eliminate the mess of multiple front load containers. Less trips by the hauling company mean savings to both the customer and the hauler. Ideal for restaurants, fast food locations, shopping centers, supermarkets, hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and hotels. Simple install and simple design combine for long life and simple service. 

Ease of usage makes the X-Press Pack Compactor a perfect portable trash compactor ready to use and requires no additional sight prep such as concrete pad, anchors or channel guides.

If you would like information on how GTS’ products and services can benefit your business, please contact us at (866) 760-8194.

A Snapshot on Snapshot Charges

A Snapshot on Snapshot Charges

Figure 1 – Snapshot on Left; Ideal Dumpster on Right

Overflowing waste bins and dumpsters cost you money each and every time they are picked up by your waste hauler.

A dumpster can overflow for a number of reasons. Most commonly, there is simply more trash than expected because of an increase in business and the hauler cannot get to you before the overflow occurs. Other times, your hauler may miss a scheduled pick-up because a customer parked inappropriately and blocked the trash corral.

The split image in figure 1 depicts a dumpster in both ideal state and in a state of overflow. The right-hand frame is the hauler’s expectation for the appearance of your dumpster—this is what they want your dumpster to look like each and every time they visit for their scheduled trash pickup. Often, however, your dumpster is likely to look like the overflowing dumpster on the left. When this happens, your hauler will photograph the overflow and charge you a very expensive additional fee—a “snapshot charge.”

Figure 2 - Large "Snapshot" Overflow

Waste haulers justify snapshots by claiming that trash stops are supposed to be routine and mechanical. 

An overflow, turns the stop into a manual pickup according to waste haulers, because the driver must get out of the truck and manually pick up the trash—in other words, they claim that an overflow causes them to spend more time spent at your stop, which means higher costs to you (see Figure 2). Additionally, haulers claim that even though their trucks compact trash, the overflow fills the truck faster causing them to make additional stops at the landfill. Therefore, it is prudent for business owners to take measures to prevent overflows and avoid their associated fees.

Global Trash Solutions can analyze your trash and suggest some simple techniques to help you avoid snapshots and other unnecessary fees. Call Global Trash Solutions at (866) 760-8194 or visit our website at www.globaltrashsolutions.com and you can learn how GTS can save you money by eliminating these fees entirely!

How do I Keep my Businesses Garbage Costs from Increasing?

Do you own a business that generates enough refuse to make collection of garbage and recyclables a line item on your P & L statement worth investigating? Have you ever noticed that, over time, your trash and recycling collection price has been raised by a considerable amount - maybe even as much as 40-50% over the years? Have various recurring surcharges suddenly made appearances on your monthly garbage statement, like rude uninvited dinner guests who expect you to feed them each month, asking only for chuck burgers at first, but demanding garnished prime filet mignon and lobster tails before the year is over?  Do you find yourself frustrated because these charges were never discussed with you when you set up service? Have you been charged an alleged "fuel surcharge" that only seems to go up, even when diesel prices go down?

If you answered "yes" to any or all of the above questions, consider yourself the average commercial customer to the average waste hauling company in the United States. Almost without exception, hauling companies' standard business practice is to get their customer in the door at a rate that appears at first to be fair, and then gradually increasing their prices or tacking on a laundry list of surcharges that cause their "out the door" price to increase substantially over time. Unless you have worked for one of these companies, it is almost impossible to avoid overpaying by some amount, because these practices are par for the course for every major hauler in the US (and most of the minor ones, too).

If you are looking for help reducing your businesses waste and recycling expenses, look no further - Global Trash Solutions guarantees that your business will save at minimum 10% on waste and recycling services (although our average savings per client hovers around 38%.) GTS has enrolled over 1,000 new businesses in our savings program in the past 18 months alone. GTS has the relationships and expertise to lower your expenses and keep them low. We also offer a single point of contact for garbage and recycling service who actually answers the phone when you call, which we feel is rare in this day and age. Our average turnaround time for service-related issues is less than 24-hours. The personal level of service we deliver and the positive financial impact we have had on our clients are two of the main reasons we are the fastest growing Waste Consulting Firm in the US. Please call us today so we can protect you from the financial pitfalls of dealing directly with garbage companies. Even if you think you are getting a great deal, please realize that we have over a 90% success rate in saving those who enroll with us at least 10%. GTS invites you to join our clients in saving millions of dollars each year on trash and recycling service. Please call us today to find out how we can help your business maximize it's profits.     

Image Courtesy of cooldesign / FreeDigitalPhotos.net