thread Drive Thru using Ipad and Terminal connection in Food & Beverage

Drive Thru using Ipad and Terminal connection

kmacmmurchy — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 15:44:44 GMT

Is anyone using iPad connected to "Terminal" for a Drive-Thru coffee shop. I currently use Square at 5 different locations (without drive-thru) and all is well. We just started using the Ipad --> Terminal wireless connection ---> KDS and it seem to work fairly well although when it gets busy sometimes the connection may drop temporarily. We're currently working on a Drive-Thru and wondering if anyone is using this option or if it's a good way to go? We'll have a drive-thru pickup window as well as a walk-up window. Any thoughts would be helpful.

Thanks group!

Re: Drive Thru using Ipad and Terminal connection

Donnie-M — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 17:50:04 GMT

I think this would be an ideal way to go @kmacmmurchy . The wireless nature allows you to take an order anywhere in the store and just send it to the terminal for payment. (little secret, you can even use a terminal with open tickets to do some cool things but shhhh). Ideally, you could have the terminal right there at the window for the customer payments and mount it, but I would be aware that weather is not always friendly. I prefer the model where you just present the terminal and the customer inserts the card and follows the prompts. I love our terminal set up for a forward facing customer display.

Donnie-M

Re: Drive Thru using Ipad and Terminal connection

AdamB — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 22:44:47 GMT

Do you have this set up in a more permanent way, @kmacmmurchy (rather than someone holding it out a window)? I'd love to see a picture of your set up if you do.

Re: Drive Thru using Ipad and Terminal connection

kmacmmurchy — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 23:08:02 GMT

I'm just in the process of building the drive-thru, but trying to be proactive. I was thinking I may strap the terminal on a stick like they do at McDs.Space Pole Payment Paddle like this link.

Re: Drive Thru using Ipad and Terminal connection

Donnie-M — Wed, 27 Oct 2021 10:33:44 GMT

@kmacmmurchy The terminal has a mount!!!

https://squareup.com/shop/hardware/us/en/products/countertop-mount

Re: Drive Thru using Ipad and Terminal connection

Sam_400º — Wed, 27 Oct 2021 11:18:59 GMT

I set up in a carpark (pizza wagon) & used this sort of set up last winter (connected terminal in beta/alpha).

Worked really well, started with a wired intercom with camera where they had to press a button but then charged to a Bluetooth intercom that had an infrared sensor & headset.

like others have said, weather was a big factor in how I built the stand for everything. It will be being put back to use in Nov so will try & take some pictures too.

Cool thing with the terminal using Wi-Fi rather than Bluetooth is that you can use an intercom with a SIM card in it to do this over long distance, I had considered having someone at home just answering the intercom & entering the order on an iPad & sending to to the terminal from there!

Re: Drive Thru using Ipad and Terminal connection

Sam_400º — Wed, 27 Oct 2021 11:21:10 GMT

This is the worst design ever 🙈

I use a spacepole option for a verifone terminal. Had to cut a small lip off the bottom & make one of the holes larger to fit the screw for the terminal though - but holds it solidly with no wobble in articulated arms.

Re: Drive Thru using Ipad and Terminal connection

kmacmmurchy — Wed, 27 Oct 2021 14:58:18 GMT

Look forward to the picture and thanks for the feedback.

Re: Drive Thru using Ipad and Terminal connection

kmacmmurchy — Thu, 28 Oct 2021 15:11:57 GMT

So putting some more thought into this and I'm wondering will I need to use "Tickets" with a KDS and 2 POS's? Currently the iPad POS is tied up until the terminal payment is made and then the order is not visible to the barista until it's paid. I haven't used tickets as we are a quick serve coffee house, but I'm guessing this will be most efficient with a drive-thru to keep the line moving?