1851

2019 may very well become known as the year of <a href="https://1851franchise.com/qsr-magazine-mobile-ordering-races-to-a-38-billion-future-2704150">mobile ordering</a> in the QSR and fast casual segments. While brands in the industry continue to develop new ways for customers to order their food online—whether it be <a href="https://1851franchise.com/third-party-delivery-apps-continue-to-take-over-the-game-2710464">third-party delivery</a>, <a href="https://1851franchise.com/pizza-hut-to-test-cubbie-system-pick-up-location-in-los-angeles-2710559">cubbie pick up</a>,<a href="https://1851franchise.com/domino-s-plans-on-using-self-driving-delivery-vehicles-in-houston-2710273"> self-driving cars</a> or <a href="https://1851franchise.com/look-up-your-next-meal-may-be-arriving-via-drone-2710797">even drones</a>—it seems that the newest trend might be <a href="https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/chick-fil-a-diners-can-now-order-from-their-table/565229/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=who-needs-a-server-the-dine-in-mobile-ordering-trend-is-picking-up-steam-2711340" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">ordering not from your phone...but from the table.</a>Chick-fil-A launched dine-in mobile ordering Thursday, which allows guests to order from a table instead of waiting in line, <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chick-fil-a-announces-dine-in-mobile-ordering-300940827.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=who-needs-a-server-the-dine-in-mobile-ordering-trend-is-picking-up-steam-2711340" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">according to a press release</a>. Guests place a dine-in order via the Chick-fil-A app, scan a smartphone to a table number and a team member will deliver the order to the table using the table number. Customers can also use the feature to order additional items following their meals without having to walk to the counter.Chick-fil-A isn’t the first to test out this convenient, yet somewhat anti-social, ordering method. In 2014, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/panera-bread-is-making-4-important-changes-to-restaurants-2014-10?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=who-needs-a-server-the-dine-in-mobile-ordering-trend-is-picking-up-steam-2711340" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Panera started offering table delivery</a> as part of its Panera 2.0 release, seeking to <a href="https://1851franchise.com/top-25-brands-to-watch-in-fast-casual-8228">create a more polished version of fast casual</a> service by allowing customers to simply walk into the restaurant, take a seat and wait for their order.&nbsp;Earlier this year, <a href="https://www.foodnewsfeed.com/content/bjs-restaurants-test-dine-pre-ordering-allset?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=who-needs-a-server-the-dine-in-mobile-ordering-trend-is-picking-up-steam-2711340" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">BJ's Restaurant tested a dine-in pre-ordering technology</a> with <a href="https://allsetnow.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=who-needs-a-server-the-dine-in-mobile-ordering-trend-is-picking-up-steam-2711340" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Allset</a> that allowed customers to reserve a table, order ahead and pay the check before even getting to the restaurant. This technology represents a strategy for making fast casual even faster, finding the middle ground for busy consumers who still want to go out to eat. As digital ordering becomes the norm, order-ahead options allow for increased <a href="https://1851franchise.com/on-the-go-business-travelers-prove-to-be-an-important-demographic-for-qsr-and-fast-casual-franchises-2710927#stories">dine-in business among on-the-go mobile customers</a>.Other major fast casual players, including Dine Brands—parent company of IHOP and Applebee’s—<a href="https://nypost.com/2018/06/10/applebees-tests-way-to-order-on-the-run-and-eat-in/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=who-needs-a-server-the-dine-in-mobile-ordering-trend-is-picking-up-steam-2711340" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">started experimenting with this type of technology last summer.</a> In fact, the CEO of Applebee’s claimed that the mobile dine-in approach could be like “converting casual dining to fast food.”Although at first glance the mobile, order-ahead trend sounds like it could create less human-to-human contact, the capability could prove to streamline operations and therefore give employees more time to focus on customer service.

Who Needs a Server? The Dine-In Mobile Ordering Trend Is Picking Up Steam

1851 Franchise

Chick-fil-A is launching a new service that will let customers order online from within the store, but the chain isn’t the only one.

who-needs-a-server-the-dine-in-mobile-ordering-trend-is-picking-up-steam

TruBlue Home Service Ally

TruBlue’s Home Maintenance Plans: Peace of Mind for Homeowners

trublues-home-maintenance-plans-peace-of-mind-for-homeowners

Caring Transitions

Caring Transitions Targets Peoria, Illinois, for Franchise Growth

caring-transitions-targets-peoria-illinois-for-franchise-growth

Caring Transitions Celebrates a Strong Start to 2025 With 19 New Franchise Sales and Momentum-Building Training Events

caring-transitions-celebrates-a-strong-start-to-2025-with-19-new-franchise-sales-and-momentum-building-training-events

Right at Home

Right at Home 30th Anniversary in Home Care with Right at Home Logo

Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence and Future Innovations in Home Care

celebrating-30-years-of-excellence-and-future-innovations-in-home-care

Why TruBlue is the Ideal Franchise for Multi-Unit Owners: Scalable Growth With a Purpose

why-trublue-is-the-ideal-franchise-for-multi-unit-owners-scalable-growth-with-a-purpose

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands - 1851 Franchise

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands

doordash-acquistions-deliveroo-sevenrooms

Crumbl Franchise Investment - TSG Consumer Partners -  1851 Franchise

TSG Consumer Partners Takes Minority Stake in Crumbl, Signaling Franchise Growth Potential

crumbl-franchise-investment-tsg-consumer

Yum Brands Reports Strong Q1 Results with Big Boost from Taco Bell

yum-brands-reports-strong-q1-results-with-big-boost-from-taco-bell

QSR: McDonald’s Gains Momentum With Chicken Innovation, Value Deals and Franchisee Support

mcdonalds-franchise-recovery-chicken-strategy-value-deals-2025

The Future of Franchising: Trends and Predictions for 2025 and Beyond

the-future-of-franchising-trends-and-predictions-for-2025-and-beyond

Layoffs Surge to Pandemic-Era Highs, Opening Doors for Franchise Growth

layoffs-surge-to-pandemic-era-highs-opening-doors-for-franchise-growth

Franchisee spotlight image with Randy and Sandy Craft, Children's Lighthouse logo on blue background

The Crafts’ Successful Journey from New Parents to Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees

the-crafts-successful-journey-from-new-parents-to-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Amy Lepke and family and Papa Murphy's logo

After 14 Years as a Stay-At-Home Mom, Amy Lepke Returned to Papa Murphy’s — This Time as an Owner

papa-murphys-franchise-amy-lepke

Franchisee Spotlight with Micki Waters and Papa Murphy's Logo

Work Mom: How Micki Waters Became a Mother Figure to Her Entire Papa Murphy’s Team

work-mom-how-micki-waters-became-a-mother-figure-to-her-entire-papa-murphys-team

District Taco Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-district-tacos-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Franchisee spotlight image with photo of Robert Trujillo and UWRG logo on blue background

How Robert Trujillo Expanded His Construction Business With UWRG

how-robert-trujillo-expanded-his-construction-business-with-uwrg

Who Needs a Server? The Dine-In Mobile Ordering Trend Is Picking Up Steam

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS