Fever Pitch

A couple weeks ago in my entrepreneurship lecture we had about 20 people pitch potential business ideas to the class. After listening to each individuals pitch I was shocked that I was surrounding by such innovative entrepreneurs! We had everything shouted out all the way from gluten-free drive through restaurants to key locators and phone aps that control power outlets. When it all came down we were only allowed to choose one idea to support. As many of you may know (…. Or maybe you don’t) I’ve been working in the food and beverage industry, basically since I was legally allowed to work. So, of course, as soon as I heard the pitch about ezMenus, I just about jumped out of my seat in order to be able to work with this idea. You don’t have to work in the industry to know how frustrating restaurants can be. There are so many things that can go wrong from the moment you step through the doors.

In order to further understand who could benefit from these menus, what problems they will be able to fix and whether I am the only one who feels this product would be incredibly successful, I went out to a few restaurants and observed those around me. Yes, I did feel like I was being very creepy and obvious about my staring habits, but sometimes you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do. As I was observing, it was obvious that a lot of the problems that I seemed be experiencing were happening at many other tables as well.   

In case you can’t remember you’re last visit to a family restaurant here is a list of problems I’m sure you’ve experienced:

• You order an omelette for breakfast with NO ONIONS or MUSHROOM (but you want everything else in it)
• When your food finally comes an omelette is placed infront of you (no problem right…wrong) there seems to be nothing in it BUT ONIONS AND MUSHROOM!

•  You’ve ordered coffee and asked for more, but yet your server is no where in site
• What ends up happening: you hunt down anyone you possibly can, only to be informed “I’ll let your server know.” (yah right!) 
• What happens instead: you deal without coffee until your server magically appears or you hunt down that pot of coffee and pour your own

• Your waitress forgot to take away your menu’s
• What happens: you are left scrambling around trying to clear space for your food, cutlery, glasses, condiments etc.

With all of these frustrations in mind, the idea of the ezMenu was created, where instead of menu’s and horrible servers, you are presented with tablet menus. This gives diners the ability to place their own orders (avoiding mix ups), page their waitress whenever necessary, and creates less clutter on the table since they are built in to the table.

If you have had any horrible experiences while at a family restaurant, please comment below, I’d love to hear from you. Also, if you have any comments about the ezMenu (do you think it’s a good idea or bad idea) leave your feedback as well! So far we’ve heard many great things about this product, but every opinion counts so don’t be shy!