Finding the right drive-thru repair facility can be a daunting task. There are many things to consider in your search such as convenience, price, quality, and trust. Below are five attributes that solidify CE as the perfect vendor for all your drive-thru equipment needs.
 

1. Quick Service - Because CE has been in business for over 40 years, they know what it takes to repair your drive-thru equipment--and fast. In most cases CE provides 24-hour service. That means from the moment your equipment reaches them, they will fix it and have it packaged to return to you by the next business day. 

2. Factory-Authorized Repairs - You can trust that your drive-thru headset or timer repair is in great hands because CE is factory approved and authorized to work on your drive-thru equipment. Every CE repair starts with a 35-point inspection and will be tested once it’s fixed to make sure your drive-thru equipment works properly before returning it to you.

3. Warranty - In the unlikely event your drive-thru equipment malfunctions within four months after it is received from CE, they will fix it again for free. You can also purchase maintenance agreements for a low monthly fee to cover your entire drive-thru system. That means if any part of your drive-thru system goes down, you won’t have to worry about unforeseen expenses when sending equipment for repair.

4. FREE Technical Support - There’s nothing worse than feeling helpless in a stressful situation. If your drive-thru equipment breaks down, give CE a call.  Often they are able to resolve the issue over the phone. The best part about this service is that it’s free!

5. E-Commerce - CE is your one-stop shop. Not only do they specialize in drive-thru repairs, but they also sell everything you need for your drive-thru, from headset ear foams to new base stations and timer systems, and everything in between. You can call in your order, or place it online thru CE’s website.

One of the most important aspects of managing a quick-service restaurant is maintaining your drive-thru equipment. With more and more customers using the drive-thru, rather than ordering in-store, it’s crucial that orders are filled quickly. If your drive-thru systems aren’t performing at their best, the result can be bad customer experiences, which jeopardize repeat business and ultimately  decrease your bottom line.

A quick way to evaluate your faulty drive-thru equipment is by calling CE's technical support at 877-731-0334. The rep will diagnose the problem and will either help you repair it over the phone or suggest next steps. If an on-site visit is required, a technician visit will be scheduled for you. Most often your drive-thru equipment will simply need to be sent in for a quick repair.

Running a quick-service restaurant really keeps you on your toes. When speed is the name of the game, there’s little time to react when your drive-thru equipment breaks down. That’s one of the reasons stores receive multiple drive-thru headsets with the purchase of a drive-thru headset system. Should a headset stop working, there is another one there to back you up.

In most cases, stores will send in their drive-thru headsets once they break so they can be repaired and go back into the mix. However, sometimes those broken headsets are forgotten and, before you know it, you’re down to your last one. When there’s no time to wait for drive-thru headset repairs, CE offers advance exchange to get your drive-thru back up and running fast.

To take advantage of CE’s advance exchange program, simply call 877-731-0334, explain the issue you’re having and CE will send the replacement drive-thru equipment you need -- most of the time overnight! All you have to do when you receive the equipment is take it out of the box, place your broken equipment back into the box, and seal it. CE makes the process so easy you don’t even have to drop the box off at a mailing facility. UPS will be notified to come back to your store within three to five business days to pick up.

There’s no time in the life of a quick-service operator to stress over drive-thru equipment repairs. With CE’s advance exchange repair option, you can have peace of mind that no matter what obstacles you face with your drive-thru equipment, CE will have a solution.

For more information on how CE can help you with repairs, installation, or accessory sales call 877-731-0334, or browse the website to learn more.

With all of the rain, wind, and snow during the winter months, it’s likely you will have some drive-thru maintenance to do when the sun peeks through. Use the checklist below to ensure your drive-thru equipment is performing at its best all year round.

Drive-Thru Speaker Post: Check the vents in the speaker post to make sure they aren’t clogged by leaves, mud, or any other debris that could have become wedged during a storm or high winds.

Drive-Thru Lane: When there is a lot of snow or rain it can cause cracks and potholes in your drive-thru. So check your drive-thru lane for any cracks, especially near your order point and also at your cash and pick-up windows. If moisture gets down into the concrete it can disrupt the underground loops that detect your vehicles. 

Menu Board: Check your menu board during the day and also at night. You want to make sure that all of your electrical components are working correctly and that your menu board is free of any debris. Replace any lights that have shorted or burned out. This is also a great opportunity to check that your menu board is current. Look over the menu items as well as the prices to ensure you aren’t misleading customers.   

Drive-Thru Headset System: Test all drive-thru headsets and batteries. If you come across any that aren’t working, call CE’s technical support at 877-731-0334. If the problem cannot be solved over the phone you can use the free shipping label located on the website to send in your drive-thru headset repairs. If you need a new drive-thru battery, you can also purchase it on CE’s website.

Drive-Thru Timer: Compare your reports from the past few weeks. If you see something that looks out of the ordinary, pay close attention to your remote display. Is it detecting every car? If it only detects some and not others, or doesn’t detect any at all, contact CE’s technical support. They will help you troubleshoot the problem and recommend the next steps to take.

With your post-winter checklist completed, you will have the confidence that your drive-thru is in optimal condition. Sit back and watch your sales spring ahead.

I’m an owner of a quick-service restaurant in Oklahoma with an HME System 30 Timer and a 3M XT1 Headset System. In the winter we have a heck of a time with thunder storms and, wouldn’t you know, a lightning strike near my restaurant took down a power line and caused us to lose power throughout my entire store. We were left in the dark for several hours until the utility company could get out and restore our electricity. Once everything came back on, a surge caused my drive-thru headsets and timer to malfunction.  At this point anyone would be stressed and irritated. The last thing I wanted to do was sit on the phone with two separate companies, giving all of my information twice, in order for two separate technicians to come out and fix each piece of equipment.

Fortunately one of my shift managers took one of CE’s magnets off the filing cabinet and tossed it to me. Turns out CE repairs and services all major brands of drive-thru systems. Instead of taking up all of my time on two separate phone calls, I was able to have one of their technicians come out and repair both pieces of equipment at the same time. The convenience alone is a great reason to use CE for anything drive-thru related, but what puts them above the rest is their quality of work and the pride they take in the services they perform. Since the electrical outage, I have used CE for a couple of drive-thru headset repairs and to purchase a new drive-thru battery.

Whether it’s for a drive-thru intercom or timer system from 3M, HME, Fast Track or other, CE handles all drive-thru needs.  Their prices are the best in the market that I’ve seen, and their turnaround is the quickest.  There’s a reason why CE is the best, and you can count on me to be a life-long customer.

Many QSRs have a drawer full of broken drive-thru equipment because they don’t have the time or the money to send it for repair. This can get you in to a pickle if you’re down to your last working headset. What would you do if it happened to break down during lunch rush? With a CE Protection Plan those worries can be a thing of the past.

There are several plans to choose from to fit any budget. Some benefits to having a Protection Plan include:

-Unlimited drive-thru repairs for a low, fixed monthly fee

-No long-term contracts

-Good for any model/any brand headset and timer

-Less downtime in stores

-Quality parts and service

For convenience at its finest, try CE’s premium coverage for headset systems. This provides you with advanced exchange and overnight shipping on base stations, vehicle detector boards, speakers, power adapters and chargers. Also included is advanced exchange on headsets and belt-pacs with second day shipping. Instead of waiting for drive-thru equipment to be shipped, repaired and shipped back to you, CE will send  replacement equipment within one to two days. All you have to do is put your broken equipment in that same box and hand it back to the UPS driver. It doesn’t get easier than that.

If you’re on a tight budget, there are other plans that provide full coverage and include mail-in drive-thru repair of headsets and belt-pacs for a low monthly fee.  

Broken headsets are a leading source of frustration for drive-thru managers and their crewmembers. The top recurring repair issues for drive-thru headsets include:

1.    Broken headband wires

2.    Broken buttons, springs or mechanical switches

3.    Broken headbands

The solution to #1 is simple. Most drive-thru headsets are designed so that the wires run across the headband to the battery. When these wires get twisted or pulled, they can easily break, rendering the headset inoperable. To solve this problem, invest in a headset – like EOS | HD from HME – that transmits the signal wirelessly. With no wires to break, the headsets can be bent, twisted and pulled without fear of disrupting the signal.

To minimize repair #2, look for a headset with fewer moving parts. This makes it easier for employees to operate the headset, and minimizes the chances that something else might break due to constant use.

Finally, to avoid repair #3, get a headset made with flexible steel, as this allows it to snap back into proper position even after being pulled and twisted in many directions. It also provides a secure, comfortable fit for employees.

They say if you want something done right, go to the experts. I learned that the hard way when I bought a fast food restaurant with a drive-thru lane. The restaurant came with a great HME headset system, but even the best drive-thru equipment breaks down or wears out over time.

At first when I needed drive-thru repairs or service, I tried a local restaurant equipment repair company. Their prices were good, but the workmanship wasn’t. Too often, I had to send equipment back two or three times before they fixed it right.

That’s when I learned about CE, the only independent HME factory-approved and trained facility in the U.S. That means you can trust the quality of their workmanship and their replacement parts.

Every CE repair starts with a rigorous 35-point inspection. They only use quality manufacturer and aftermarket parts. And they thoroughly test the repaired equipment before sending it back to you. They also give excellent service, often fixing a part with 24 hours of receiving it. Did I mention that their prices are even better than the local repair company I used before?

I’ve never had to send anything back to CE after they fixed it, so I don’t go anywhere else for my drive-thru equipment repairs. It provides real peace of mind knowing they will get it right the first time.

With the holidays coming up, everyone can use a little extra money. If you’re a first-time CE customer, you can save up to half off any all-in-one headset or belt-pac repair with our new customer special offer.

All you have to do is print the coupon, place it in a box with your broken drive-thru equipment, and send it to CE for repairs. The offer is good for all brands, including HME, Panasonic and 3M. You’ll get our convenient same-day service and 4-month warranty. And all our repairs are 100% satisfaction guaranteed.

You have enough headaches running a busy quick service restaurant without constantly having to worry about equipment breakdowns and how much it will cost to fix them. Now, you can protect your equipment and get peace of mind at a very affordable price with CE’s Drive-Thru Protection Plan.

For one fixed monthly fee, you get:

• Unlimited drive-thru repairs
• Reduced downtime
• No long-term contracts
• Fast, professional repair of any model or brand
• Quality parts and service

Our plans cover everything from headset systems to drive-thru timers and cabled equipment, and offer a variety of coverage levels and options. Why worry about drive-thru equipment maintenance when you could be focusing your time and energy on running your store more efficiently?

Call CE today at 1-800-737-0688 to learn more about our different equipment protection plans.