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 Can An Indoor Compactor Help Your Bottom Line?

GTS 2000 Indoor Compactor

The ever-increasing cost of waste disposal is frustrating to those who own and operate a restaurant. Trash bills inexplicably rise from month-to-month, haulers charge unreasonable fees, and it seems as though every month, the check you write to the waste hauler is larger than the month before. The good news is that you can take control of these costs by making some basic changes in how you deal with waste. One option is employing the use of a GTS 2000 indoor trash compactor.

Indoor compactors result in fewer weekly pick-ups.

Your trash hauler should only come to your restaurant when you need them—when the dumpster is full. Every time you see their big truck out in your parking lot, they are charging you. Indoor compactors have the power to compress up to twenty individual bags of trash into a single brick, which can be transported to the dumpster with ease. This creates up to twenty times more space in your dumpster, and in turn, leads to fewer pickups. In some cases, an operator can realize savings of up to 60% on waste expenses by simply compacting their garbage before throwing it in the dumpster.

Compactors result in reduced parking lot disruption.

Having the trash picked up can cause business disruptions. Garbage trucks are large, noisy, dirty, and get in the way of everything. They have been known to block incoming and outgoing traffic and block the drive-thru. They can drive off customers and frustrate employees by taking up parking spaces while they work. A compactor will reduce the overall number of trash pick-ups and, in turn, reduce the potential for a cluttered lot or lost business in the midst of a lunch or dinner rush.

Compactors reduce the opportunity for work related injury.

Winter weather creates a slip and fall hazard for employees. Ice, snow, and rain can cause even the most careful worker to go down in the parking lot. Eventually, employees must venture out into the harsh weather to take out the garbage. When they do, there is always the risk of a work related injury. Compactors reduce the number of outdoor trips because the trash stays contained within the compactor until it is full. Instead of eight or ten trips, employees may only need to exit the building once or twice. A compactor will keep your employees inside, where it is safe and dry.

An Indoor Compactor is Just One Option: You Have Many

At Global Trash Solutions, these options are our business.  We provide compactors, supplies, recycling, baling, resale, and brokering for the restaurant industry at more than 2500 locations. We are a full-service, single point consulting service dedicated to reducing your trash expenses. In most cases, the compactors we supply to restaurants pay for themselves within the first two years.  Combined with our consulting services, our customers can realize an overall saving 65% on their initial waste disposal cost.

Please give yourself and your business the benefit of reduced costs. Call now for a free consultation at (866) 760-8184 or fill out our form online. 

Contact Global Trash Solutions Today!

Give Yourself a Raise by Cutting Waste Costs

Are you thinking, how can I give myself a raise by cutting waste costs? Do you own or manage a restaurant or chain of restaurants where waste and recycling is a full-time job? Are you spending more and more money on waste removal?

As 2013 comes to a tumultuous close for the fast food industry, corporate executives seek ways to boost their market share in the New Year. Long-term and short-term objectives are being reviewed as the most market-savvy managers implement the proper changes in order to maintain presence in the fast food market. For McDonald’s, the frequent leader in fast food market share, changes are coming in 2014.

With less diners eating out due to the sluggish economy, McDonald’s has managed to maintain stability as a popular option for people that want to eat out, and at a lower cost. In order to generate more business, changes like healthier menus, greater variety and additional locations, cutting waste costs, as well as remodels of existing locations are among the changes the company has slated for 2014. It is no secret, waste and recycling has become difficult to manage for chain restaurant operators. Managers are cutting waste costs through a variety of ways, among them efficient, effective trash storage and removal. As the major trash haulers in this country become more and more monopolized, small business owners are turning to companies who can offer solutions to better handle garbage in a cost-effective way.

McDonald’s franchisees quickly grabbed onto to the concept of saving money by controlling the cost of waste and recycling removal. One would think that Corporate McDonald’s, the nation’s oldest and most successful franchise, would have been at the forefront of this concept. Yet it has actually been the franchisees out in front of this issue. The franchisee community has suffered through tough times and right now the main issue facing the franchisee is cash flow. It is through controlling costs for waste and recycling that many have seen an increase in their bottom line.

To save money, companies are turning to trusted trash compactor providers such as Global Trash Solutions.  Global Trash Solutions has compactors for cardboard, food and perishable items, plastic, wood, small metals and liquids. They save time and effort expended by employees in charge of cleanup and trash companies contracted to pick up commercial trash. That means less noise and traffic from garbage trucks on company premises, and less trips to pick up trash by garbage trucks decreases fuel emissions. This puts a company in good standing with their surrounding communities and local governments, and this can save them money on garbage removal fees and through tax credits.

If you’re a small or large volume trash producer, call Global Trash Solutions at (866) 760-8194 to learn how you can start saving money today.  When you call, we will conduct a complete evaluation of  your current trash situation. Followed by a detailed plan for garbage removal and the associated costs. Now is the time to give yourself a raise.  Make Global Trash Solutions part of your new year cost cutting resolutions.