During the summer months quick-service restaurants tend to receive a heavier flow of traffic through their drive-thrus. With the increase of customers, drive-thru headsets are usually pulling double duty and have a higher likelihood of malfunctioning or breaking down due to constant usage. To minimize the amount of drive-thru repairs this summer make sure you are doing drive-thru maintenance checks on a regular basis. One of the easiest ways to save on drive-thru headset repairs is by following these simple steps below:

 

1. Clean Exterior of Drive-Thru Headsets

Use a damp cloth to remove particles and grease from your headset. If you use a mild soap, apply it to the cloth rather than the headset to ensure excess moisture doesn’t get into the electronic components. Stay away from spray cleaners and solvents as they can cause corrosion.

 

2. Clean Crevices

Use a small, soft bristled brush between the buttons and in the crevices of your drive-thru headset to remove small crumbs. This will prolong the durability of your headset and decrease the chances of component failure.

 

3. Check Condition of Earmuffs

The earmuffs on drive-thru headsets should be replaced every 60-90 days or more frequently if needed. This will provide better drive-thru sound quality, improve comfort, and promote better hygiene. If you have several employees, give them the option to have their own set.

 

4. Avoid Water

If liquid gets in to a headset or belt-pac it can cause significant electrical damage. If this happens to your drive-thru equipment, power it off, take out the battery and let all components completely dry before turning the equipment back on. If you are still experiencing issues with your communicator contact Technical Support at 877-731-0334.

 

5. Clean Batteries

To help prevent static, use a cotton swab moistened with alcohol to clean the contacts on each drive-thru battery, headset and charger port (make sure the battery charger is unplugged before cleaning). Not only will this reduce static, but it will also keep your batteries and drive-thru headsets functioning at peak performance.

 

6. Test Drive-Thru Headsets

Listen for static while adjusting the mic boom. If you hear static, try using a different drive-thru battery. If you are still experiencing static, call Technical Support.

Next, grab a partner to listen on a separate headset. Push the “B” button on yours and count from one to five. If they are able to hear each of the numbers clearly have them repeat the last step back to you. Switch out headsets and repeat. If at any point you are unable to hear all of the numbers there could be a problem with your headset. Contact Technical Support to troubleshoot further.

 

7. Keep Equipment Cool

To ensure you’re getting the best from your drive-thru equipment, store in a cool, dry place. This will help prevent from overheating, strengthen the life of your drive-thru batteries, and keep moisture from getting into electrical components.  

 

By following these seven steps you will experience less drive-thru equipment failures, better drive-thru sound quality, and happier employees and customers. What this means for you is reduced number of drive-thru repairs, better order accuracy, and improved overall customer experience.   All of these combined are sure to result in a wealthier bottom line.

For more tips or questions on how to improve your drive-thru efficiency give CE a call at 877-731-0334.

 

Most quick-service crew members simply don’t have time to wait on the phone to purchase accessories or replacement parts. CE makes it incredibly convenient by offering online ordering. You can make purchases 24/7, as well as view repair pricing, send in drive-thru repairs, and read up on ways to improve your drive-thru efficiency. Gone are the days of waiting on hold.  

CE makes ordering drive-thru equipment as easy as 1-2-3. With an online shopping cart you can purchase drive-thru headsets, chargers, batteries and other accessories without ever having to pick up the phone.

 

Follow these steps to get started:

 

1.       Hover your mouse over the “Drive-Thru Repairs Accessories & Sales” tab above, and click on your brand of equipment.

 

2.       Choose the drive-thru equipment or accessories you need and add them to your cart. You can make quantity adjustments while items are in your shopping cart.

 

3.       Once you are ready to place the order, click Checkout.
Fill out your shipping and billing information and submit your order.

 

 

If you need to send in a drive-thru headset repair, CE also offers FREE inbound shipping. Locate the shipping form on the “Send in a Repair” tab, fill in your information, and click submit. A shipping label will be displayed on the next page. All you have to do is print it and tape it to the outside of your broken equipment box. Drop off the box at a UPS facility or hand it to your UPS driver and we’ll take care of the rest.

 

Check back next week for more tips on how to improve your drive-thru efficiency. Right click here and select “bookmark this link” to make CE blogs easily accessible for your weekly reading enjoyment. If there is anything you cannot find on the site, call 877-731-0334 and one of our support reps will be happy to assist.

 

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.

Everyone knows summer is one of the busiest times of the year for quick-service restaurants. With the weather warming up and schools letting out, more people are traveling and looking for affordable eating options on the go. If you haven’t started your drive-thru maintenance, now is the time to get on the ball. When you’re expecting heavy traffic, you want to make sure your business is fully prepared. CE not only provides the best quality service at the lowest price, but also provides discounts and specials so you don’t have to break the bank in order to have your drive-thru equipment running properly. Below are five ways to save with CE:

Bonus Bucks--For every $100 you spend on drive-thru repairs, CE will send you $5 in bonus bucks. You can redeem these with any future drive-thru repair. Simply place the bonus bucks in the box with your broken equipment and CE will deduct that from the total repair bill.  

New Customer Discount--Haven’t used CE before? Just for giving us a try, you’ll receive up to 50% off of any all-in-one drive-thru headset or belt-pac for any HME, Panasonic, or 3M drive-thru system. On top of that you will receive a four-month warranty on your repair.

Current Customer Discount--If you frequently use CE, there is an option for unlimited repairs at a low monthly fee. CE’s Drive-Thru Protection Plan covers all models and brands of drive-thru equipment. With a Protection Plan you can expect to receive reduced downtime at your store, high-quality parts and service, and peace of mind, knowing that your system is covered.

Free Drive-Thru Battery Specials--Many underestimate the power of the drive-thru battery. It not only keeps your headsets functioning, but when using newer, fully charged batteries they increase the amount of time between charges and also improve drive-thru sound quality. If you’re looking to purchase a drive-thru battery, consider ordering more than one at a time. They are always useful, and when you buy three you’ll receive the forth one free!

Multi-Store Discount--CE understands that keeping your drive-thru equipment in its best condition can get expensive. Running multiple stores can calculate to multiple repairs in a given month. That’s why CE offers up to 25% off select products and services for multi-store owners. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice great service to stay on budget.

The last thing you need is for your drive-thru equipment to take a vacation when everyone else is. So grab those busted headsets, dust off those dirty belt-pacs, and send them to CE. You'll get them back refreshed and ready to work, just in time for the summer rush.

If you have broken drive-thru headsets, belt-pacs, drive-thru battery chargers, or timer systems, everyone knows that CE is the best place to send your drive-thru equipment for repair. But did you know that CE also provides onsite installation and service?

For drive-thru equipment problems that can’t be fixed by troubleshooting with technical support or shipping them for repair, CE has installation and service providers nationwide to help. Here are a few common problems CE technicians can fix onsite:

-Broken loops

-Bad speakers and microphones

-Wiring issues

-Malfunctioning vehicle detector boards

-Installation of base stations and drive-thru timer systems

-And more!

Whether you have HME, Panasonic, 3M, or any other major brand drive-thru equipment, CE is your one-stop shop for all your drive-thru maintenance needs. Don’t need any repairs, but can use a new drive-thru battery or other drive-thru accessories? CE also provides small accessories for all major brands. They even have an online shopping cart for your convenience. Now that’s what I call a full-service company!

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.  

Failing to plan, is planning to fail. Protect yourself with one of CE’s Protection Plans.

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.

 

If all else fails and your headsets still need repairs, give CE a call at 877-731-0334. We’ll get your drive-thru equipment up and running again, often within 24 hours!

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.

 

If you can’t find what you’re looking for on our FAQs page, call us at 877-731-0334. Our friendly service representatives will answer any questions you have about drive-thru repairs.

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.

 

All of our repairs are 100% satisfaction guaranteed. If we can’t fix it, you’ll receive a $100 credit toward the purchase of a new unit, or $65 toward the purchase of a refurbished unit.