Visitors to the QSR Media Conference and Awards this month will discover exciting new developments in EPOS, courtesy of NFS Technology – and could see two of the company’s clients pick up major awards.
The Conference & Awards is bringing together the industry’s top decision makers on 28 June at the Waldorf Hilton in London. It promises a day of networking and insights to inform, inspire and empower multi-site restaurant brands to thrive.
NFS, suppliers of leading Aloha hospitality software, will be greeting visitors to their stand at the conference, and discussing the new Aloha User Interface as well as updates on kitchen management, consumer marketing, the Cloud and integrated order taking and payment.
NFS has also nominated its clients Marugame Udon and Döner Shack for key prizes, which will be announced at a ceremony the same day.
Chris Cartmell, Chief Commercial Officer at NFS, said: “The conference is a great opportunity for local and international restaurant brand executives to experience the evolution of hospitality technology.
“Quick Service has seen amazing steps forward in the past couple of years. We’re delighted and honoured to nominate Marugame Udon and Döner Shack for the outstanding way they have responded to changing conditions and customer demands in today’s challenging environment.”
The NFS entries are:
Best Digital Initiative – Marugame Udon
Marugame Udon is the world’s largest udon noodle chain. It opened its first European restaurant in London in 2021.
Four further London sites were lined up before the first opened, with the restaurant in the O2 also now open, and the company has big plans for a speedy further expansion.
The innovative use of digital technology is helping Marugame Udon grow its community of enthusiasts across the UK and beyond. A unique level of integration is enabling the company loyalty system, implemented via Aloha EPOS, to gain deep insight into its customers, enabling better customer service and engagement.
The loyalty system automatically shares important customer information across all platforms from the till to wifi and email marketing.
Chris said: “This gives Marugame Udon a 360 degree view of the customer’s requirements and preferences – what the company calls a ‘single point of truth’ – and it eliminates the need to repeatedly input data into different systems.
“This integration enables Marugame Udon to send highly-targeted marketing emails that are sure to hit the mark – and when the customer pays, the till automatically applies any discounts.
“Further integration means customers are never disappointed when ordering. When a menu change is made on the till it is instantly reflected across all menu screens and collection screens, and the company is now working with NFS to extend this to delivery channels.”
Best Newcomer – Döner Shack
Döner Shack brings the best in Berlin street food to Britain, and opened its first UK franchised site – a 2,800 sq ft unit in Manchester Arndale Centre – in 2021. It has also run its own pioneering restaurant in Leeds’ Trinity Kitchen since 2019, and is now seeking to open a further 15 UK sites within 12 months.
The restaurants are designed and developed with a unique contemporary look and feel that amply reflect and reinforce their cool branding.
They have implemented the latest Aloha EPOS from NFS providing rapid self-service ordering and payment, integrated with state-of-the-art kitchen operations to reduce preparation time, reduce food waste and the need for extensive staff training.
Chris said: “The company’s restaurants benefit from an extremely systemised operating structure developed over four years with the help of NFS. The system delivers excellent consistency in food preparation – serving guests on average in five minutes.
“The operating structure does not need skilled chefs, making recruitment easier, and uses advanced robotic kebab cutters that slice meat finely and ensure consistency, while also keeping staff costs down. Wastage is also kept to a minimum.”
Secure your place
Chris and the NFS expert team are looking forward to meeting delegates at the conference, and have high hopes for the awards, which will be presented in the evening.
“QSR is an extraordinary and growing success, and we are delighted to be a part of that,” said Chris. “We’ve got our fingers crossed that our entrants – who we feel are world-beating – will be honoured on the night.”
- Discover more about Aloha EPOS
- Register for your place at the QSR Conference and Awards.
