Hold the Pickles, Hold the Lettuce…

…Special orders don’t upset us. All we ask is that you let us serve it your way.

This was the Burger King jingle from back in the 70’s. Today people want it their way. Some places make it hard to get it their way. Go to a few fast food restaurants and try getting their signature sandwich without ketchup. Sometimes you do and sometimes you don’t. I always order my sandwiches without mayonnaise, and a good percentage of the time they have to remake the sandwich.

Subway makes sandwiches to order. As it goes across the “assembly line,” your professional sandwich maker asks you what you want. And, now the Subway in Charlotte Harbor, FL has taken it to the twenty first century with one of the first drive through systems that is equipped with a touch screen. You drive up, use the touch screen to order your sandwich, condiments and whatever else you want, swipe your credit card and simply drive up to the pick-up window and get your meal.

Joseph Candito, a development agent for Subway franchises across Southwest Florida, said the addition of the kiosk will lower the chance of incorrect orders. "It's going to increase the accuracy of the drive-through through the ordering system," Candito said. "I think it's going to bring technology to the forefront for customer service."

This system, made by Benseron Information Technologies is only the second of its kind, according to Onur Haytac, president of the company. It not only takes the order, the way you want it, the screen adjusts to the height of your car and is multi-lingual.

Now, you really can, have it your way!

Shep Hyken, CSP is a professional speaker and author who works with companies who want to develop loyal relationships with their customers and employees. For more information on Shep's speaking programs, books, tapes and learning programs please contact (314) 692-2200. Email: shep@hyken.com – Web: www.hyken.com – Click here for information on The Customer Focus™ customer service training programs (www.TheCustomerFocus.com).

The Amenity Wars Continue In the Hotel Industry

Hotels compete in a number of areas. Price is obvious. Amenities are the payoff for the guest. One hotel says their beds are the best. Another provides a free breakfast for a guest. Another has fluffier towels. A new amenity has entered into the market – higher ceilings.

Starwood has a new concept call Aloft. It has nine foot ceilings in their rooms. A startup hotel called NYLO is building rooms with 11 foot ceilings. (This is perfect for practicing my golf swing or using the bed as a trampoline. My kids will love NYLO!)

Seriously, this new concept/amenity of loft style hotels is about providing a better customer experience. But when all is said and done, the best amenity a hotel can offer is the person who takes great care of the guest.

Shep Hyken, CSP is a professional speaker and author who works with companies who want to develop loyal relationships with their customers and employees. For more information on Shep's speaking programs, books, tapes and learning programs please contact (314) 692-2200. Email: shep@hyken.com – Web: www.hyken.com – Click here for information on The Customer Focus™ customer service training programs (www.TheCustomerFocus.com).