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.  

These days, sound quality in the drive-thru is really important when you’re up against the clock. With menu items becoming more intricate, the last thing you need is a customer having to repeat themselves due to voice breaks in your headset. The more time spent at the menu board, the longer others have to wait, and the fewer cars that get served. At the end of the day, this means less money coming in to your store.

The best way to avoid these issues is by staying up to date on your drive-thru equipment. Invest in a drive-thru system with wideband technology and state-of-the-art noise reduction capabilities, like EOS | HD from HME. With wideband you get an expanded audio range that includes higher and lower frequencies which provides a more accurate representation of a person’s voice. With the additional range you’ll have clearer conversations which will strengthen your order accuracy and speed up the order process.

If you aren’t ready for a new system, another great option is to purchase a protection plan from CE for all of your drive-thru repairs. For a flat, low monthly fee you can send in your drive-thru equipment as often as you need to get serviced. Whether it’s for static, or a broken headband or mic boom, CE will get it fixed and back out to you in no time.

There are so many options at the menu board these days, don’t let fragmented communication be one of them.

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.

Have a question about drive-thru equipment repairs? Chances are you’ll find the answer at CE’s online Drive-Thru Repairs FAQs page.

Not all questions or problems need a live service technician to resolve.  So we’ve put together a list of frequently asked questions that address common drive-thru repair issues. For example:

·         -How do drive-thru maintenance agreements work?

·         -What kind of warranty does CE include with its drive-thru repairs, accessories and systems?

·         -Should you buy a new or refurbished drive-thru system?

·         -What is CE’s return policy on purchased drive-thru equipment?

Get the answers to these and more at www.cerepairs.com/drive-thru-faqs.

Every so often, QSR drive-thrus experience an equipment problem that can only be resolved on-site. CE offers fast, reliable on-site service in the greater St. Louis area. However, if you need on-site service anywhere else, CE offers a nationwide network of drive-thru repair and installation service providers for your convenience. To find the one nearest you, call 877-731-0334.

And remember:

• CE services all major brands, ?including HME, Panasonic and 3M.

• Our technical support department can address many of your drive-thru repair needs remotely by phone.

• We offer an advance exchange equipment service when you can’t wait for repairs.

Owning or managing multiple QSR restaurants means more drive-thru equipment that needs service and repairs. With CE’s multi-store discount program for valued customers, you can save up to 25% off select products and services.

As with all of our drive-thru repairs, you get free inbound shipping, same-day service on many items, and four-month repair warranty on all repairs. Call us at 877-731-0334 and start saving today!

 Why Pay More?

 Even with 25% off, making repairs to your drive-thru equipment can get expensive. That’s why, in addition to our multi-store discount, CE also offers a drive-thru repair referral program, bonus bucks, and free drive-thru headset specials. Plus, we’ll match any competitor’s coupon, so that you get the quality repairs you need without paying more.

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.

Seems like more and more companies these days are charging for technical support. Fortunately, there’s one company that’s critical to the success of my business that doesn’t – CE.

I own a small chain of quick-serve restaurants, and we have a drive-thru in each one. Which, of course, means that I need a good headset and timer system to operate each drive-thru in a fast and efficient manner. This equipment breaks down from time to time, and I know I can count on CE for quality repairs or replacement parts.

But sometimes I can’t tell if a piece of my drive-thru equipment needs repairing or if it can be fixed on the spot. When that happens, I call CE and they give me a quick, honest answer. Sometimes the only solution is to send the equipment in to be repaired or replaced. But many times they have saved me time and money by explaining over the phone how to solve the problem.

When I need help with a technical problem, it’s nice to know I can call CE and speak to a live support person without worrying how much it will cost. It doesn’t matter what the issue, they will take the time to help me figure it out. And they offer this free support on all models of drive-thru equipment that they sell and repair.

If you need drive-thru equipment repairs, or you’re not sure how to fix something, give CE a call.  You’ll get fast, friendly service from people who know what they’re doing.

Need to adjust a belt-pac but aren’t sure how? Want to change some of the settings on your drive-thru timer but can’t find the manual? Then check out CE’s free online training videos. Designed to help you maintain and operate your headset system equipment more efficiently, these short (usually less than a minute) videos provide useful information on a variety of drive-thru equipment and procedures.

Here’s a sample of some of the videos you can find on our video training page:

HME Wireless IQ

• How to change the language on a belt-pac
• How to clear the registration
• How to take an AIO headset out of hands-free mode
• How to register a wireless IQ belt-pac

HME System 30A

• How to properly load paper
• How to change the time
• How to change store hours
• How to set up dayparts