If you manage multiple-store drive-thru systems, it’s critical to make the best use of your time by working as efficiently as possible. These three tips will help you make order out of the madness.

1. Standardize your equipment

Make sure every store has the same components, including headsets and timer systems, in their drive-thru system. This makes it easier to train employees and collect, format and analyze performance data from each store.

2. Hire superstar managers

Running a multi-store operation gets a lot easier when you have top-notch manager in place at each store. It can take time to identify and hire the best people, but the up-front investment will save you time and money over the long term.

3. Use the cloud

You can’t be everywhere at once, but using the cloud to manage operations is almost as good. Get a drive-thru system with remote access capabilities and you can manage your stores from virtually anywhere.

It also helps to have a drive-thru protection plan with a reliable vendor. That way you know what your drive-thru system equipment repair and maintenance costs will be every month. No matter how many repairs you need, you pay one fixed price per month.