I was perusing various restaurant organizations looking for contacts after I had an idea for a product that could be introduced at bars / restaurants.  The product is designed to work wirelessly and can increase top line sales, drive business towards limited time specials, enhance the social aspect of bars & get great word of mouth advertising for those that implement such a device.  

I can't discuss the product/idea any further than what I have......sorry...

Here are some interesting restaurant technology facts from the restaurant industries' leading magazine.  Copies of the magazine and subscriptions can be found found @ http://www.restaurant.org  

Restaurateurs are finding that computers can make their lives easier in a number of ways. Technology can help operators remain efficient in the midst of a shrinking labor pool by improving consistency and productivity.

• According to Table service Restaurant Trends 1997, more table service operators are using computers and other automation technologies each year. In 1990, 1 out of 6 table service operators used computer systems, compared with more than 8 out of 10 operators in 1996.

• In 1996, 95% of table service operators with sales of more than $1 million reported having a personal computer in their organization. In contrast, less than six out of 10 operators with annual sales under $500,000 used a computer in their restaurants.

• While POS (point of sale) systems are growing in popularity, they currently remain mostly a tool of larger operations. According to Association research, only 28% of computer-using table service operators with annual sales of less than $500,000 employ a POS system, compared to 80% of operators with sales of more than $1 million.  The key element is that this is looking at point of sale terminals such as cash registers/order taking vs. personal computers in the previous example.

• Operators with multiple establishments in their organization are more likely to use a computer than those with only one establishment. In 1996, 98% of operators with five or more establishments used a computer, compared with 79% of operators with only one establishment.

• The propensity to use a computer in a restaurant is also influenced by the average check size. Association research revealed that operations with larger average check sizes were more likely to use a computer. In 1996, 92% of operators with an average check size of $25 or more reported using a computer, up from 82% of similar establishments in 1992.

• Although restaurants with lower average check sizes were less likely to use computers, they have seen the fastest growth in computer use over the last four years. 74% of operators with average check sizes of less than $8 used computers in 1996, a solid increase from the 60% who reported using computers in 1992. This increase in usage at lower-check-size operations is occurring in part because the decreasing cost of computer technology has made both hardware and software more accessible to smaller establishments.

• Other functions are also quickly coming online. For example, in 1990, slightly more than 25% of table service operators used computers when scheduling employees, compared with almost 50% in 1996. 

• Wireless devices can now do much more than page servers. They allow guests to order food and beverages before they are even seated and to pay their bills after the meal. They facilitate communication between managers and the back-of-the-house, allowing managers to remain in the dining room and provide better customer service. They ensure more accurate customer-satisfaction surveys, and timely sales and inventory reports. Another benefit is that the hand-held terminal can prompt for upsells. It can transform servers into salespeople rather than order-takers."

• In 1990, less than 2 out of 5 table service operators used a POS system, but today that proportion has increased to roughly 3 out of 5. This advanced equipment improves the ability of service staff to present table service customers with an accurately totaled check and helps to expedite order placement. Such technology should continue to heighten productivity and service into the coming century. 

• According to a May 2001 survey by IHL Consulting Group in Boynton Beach , Fla. , 75% of restaurant suppliers say their systems support wireless devices. In addition, 55% of the POS suppliers can connect wireless hand-held devices to their POS systems, compared with 38% just one year ago.