If you've been dining at eateries like Chili's, Applebee's, or maybe even at Bolt Burgers restaurant in downtown Washington, you've probably realized what the current hottest trend is - a high tech tablet on the table.
Whether it's a Ziosk or an iPad, many restaurants are now using this technology to allow their customers to place orders for appetizers, desserts and alcoholic beverages right from their table without having to wait for a server. The device also allows them to play video games, pay their check and enjoy other additional entertainment services.
Some of the largest U.S. restaurant chains have announced their plans to install tablets as an effort to boost efficiency and respond to customer interests. Suzy Badaracco, president of Culinary Tides, a food and health trends forecasting company, told FOX News that the "tablet trend" should not be a surprise.
"Technology in the food industry is still in the infancy stage," Badaracco said. "So it's just the start of the natural evolution and quiet infiltration of technology into restaurants."
This new tabletop touch screen technology is called a Ziosk, supplied by a Texas-based firm which makes the tabletop devices for ordering and paying as well as for news and entertainment while dining.
Last year, Chili's began testing tablets at several of its locations. Krista Gibson, the company senior vice president of brand strategy, said Chili's had a great experience with the device. The restaurant chain recently purchased 100,000 tablets for guests to use at some 800 locations, according to Yahoo News.
"Technology seems like the smartest thing to do to stay relevant," she said. "We're in the process of re-imaging our restaurants, and having current tech seemed like the right thing for our image."
In December, Applebee's announced that it would be installing touch screen tablets on every one of its 100,000 restaurant and bar tabletops across the U.S. by the end of 2014. Buffalo Wild Wings has also joined the tablet trend and Badaracco believes more are to follow.
"The biggest driving force is money," Badaracco said. "It's going to be the national chains that will drive it."
The tablets are meant to "enhance the dining experience and not to replace the menu," but not all chains are falling in line with the device. FOX News reported that the Cheesecake Factory has been resistant in adding the tablet to their tables.
"I think the potential is that it will make the experience more impersonal," Badaracco said. "Although it will provide convenience, at the same time it will cause a disconnect because you will cut out a part of the middleman experience. Until it becomes the standard, it runs the risk of making the consumer feel intimidated and awkward."
The tablets will not replace the servers. Bob Santillana of Chicago Pizzeria Uno called the Ziosk the employee's assistant. Tablets are a positive addition to the dining experience.
"It's an opportunity for enhanced service," Gibson said. "This device is almost like a third server. A guest can reorder drinks, desserts and pay for checks. Guests won't have to wait for a server to pay. Additionally, there's content like games and USA Today."
The tablet on a table "allows people a chance to read a newspaper online or play a game to occupy their kids," said Mary Chapman at the research firm Technomic. Food trends expert and Supermarket Guru Phil Lempert said tablets are providing a foundation for what's next in restaurant tech.
"The next evolution will be that we'll use our own iPhones, iPads and Droids to accomplish this same thing, because people trust their own devices more. What's happening now is only the intermediate step to that."
