Wagamama

Wagamama Australia uses Epson's advanced PoS technology featuring Epson's innovations.

Brought to Australia in 2001 by business partners Stewart Koziora and Luke Fryer, Wagamama has 11 outlets across the country. Recognising the importance of utilising advanced PoS technology, Koziora commented: "I was aware of what was expected of us, but I also had my own vision of just how streamlined I could make the restaurant operations and service with the use of the right technology."

With one of its locations being Sydney International Airport, it's essential that Wagamama staff is able to provide fast service, yet without appearing rushed. "We need to ensure the service is as efficient as possible because the patrons we're serving don't have time to wait around. They want to be able to walk in, place an order and have it on the table within a matter of minutes," Koziora added.

Serving up to 700 customers during a typical three-hour dining session in some restaurants, Wagamama's priority was a system which would provide total reliability in the most demanding of environments. After researching the various options, Wagamama selected Epson business partner PalmTEQ to implement a combined Epson and WaiterPad solution. The system comprises Epson MR-800 terminals, TM-T88III receipt printers and hand-held WaiterPads. "The most straightforward reason for choosing the system was that it was undoubtedly the one that afforded us the best quality, functionality and even with that, the best price by almost 40 per cent," said Koziora.

The Epson and PalmTEQ solution plays a crucial part in Wagamama's operation. When a waiter takes a customer's order, it's sent automatically to the central Epson MR-800 terminal which uses Windows-based WaiterPad software to maintain a running tally for each table and even update stock records. Simultaneously, the order is printed on one of the restaurant's Epson TM-T88III printers located in specific food preparation areas.

"All that happens in a matter of seconds," Koziora said. "And while it is, instead of having to take order slips to the kitchen or front desk, staff can move on to the next customer. What it boils down to is that actually no-one is rushing, but everything's happening very fast!"

Aside from the immediate advantage of having seamless floor-to-kitchen communication, Koziora now has the freedom to select sites for future restaurants that might otherwise have been impractical. Koziora comments: "Given that the system we've chosen will work equally well over a two-storey site as it does in a single-storey site, we'll be able to consider restaurant sites based on their trade potential rather than their ability to carry radio transmissions."

"In terms of performance and support, the whole system has exceeded our expectations. So much so, that I've actually approached the UK-based founders of Wagamama and am pitching them to switch over all franchises to the Epson and PalmTEQ system. As far as I'm concerned, there's nothing better."