What strategy can QSRs use to manage customer wait times effectively?

Utilizing an online ordering system is an effective strategy for quick-service restaurants (QSRs) to manage customer wait times. By enabling customers to place their orders remotely, either through a website or mobile app, QSRs can streamline the order preparation process. This approach allows kitchen staff to prepare orders in advance, reducing the in-store wait time as customers can simply pick up their orders without delay.

Additionally, online ordering can reduce the congestion at the counter, leading to a smoother flow of operations. It enables the restaurant to better manage peak times by offloading orders that can be fulfilled later, which helps in balancing workload.

Offering limited menu options and providing free samples might help in different aspects of customer satisfaction or sales strategy, but they do not directly address the efficiency of order processing or wait times as effectively as an online ordering system does. Reducing the number of staff on duty can worsen wait times rather than help them, as fewer employees typically lead to slower service.