 Mel’s Diner, the popular southwest
Florida chain known for its down-to-earth atmosphere and
made-from-scratch comfort foods, is implementing new technologies as a
means to better connect with its customers.
Bonita Springs, FL - Popular southwest Florida chain, Mel’s Diner, has
implemented a number of new technologies into its locations as a means
to lessen the work load for its managers, improve food and labor costs
and better connect with customers.
The new technologies include the installation of voicemail and email in
all restaurants and corporate offices, as well as the implementation of
an inventory management system, a labor management system, a gift card
program, a loyalty program, and an enterprise management system in all
stores. In addition, Mel’s locations will also convert its locations to
the Aloha POS system. All of this is expected to be completed by
January 1, 2006.
“We eventually will be a paperless organization with this system. All
data will be downloaded right into our accounting software. Our
managers will no longer have to fill out any spreadsheets or paperwork
at night after closing,” says Ralph Desiano, chief operating officer
for Mel’s Diner. “Our executives and store personnel will have all of
the latest and greatest technology to help run great and profitable
restaurants.”
These improvements are the latest steps in the organization’s
restructuring, which will unify the company’s vision across all ten
locations, reducing overflow and inconsistency in food and service and
improving overall customer satisfaction.
“The product management system will tell each of our GM’s exactly where
they missed the mark, down to the pickle,” says Desiano. “With the
labor system, we will be able to forecast better and therefore schedule
to maximize both the sales and the guest experience. We will be able to
measure our labor performance versus certain benchmarks.... We will
even be able to send personalized greetings and offers to our guests on
the bottom of their receipts.”
Central to these efforts is the implementation of the Aloha POS system,
which Desiano says was chosen both for its functionality and ease of
use, primarily from the wait staff’s point of view.
“The POS rollout has gone very smoothly so far,” says Desiano. “The
store employees love it. The system makes the server job very easy.
They are prompted for all the different selections they have to make.
All of the options are right there on the screen. There is no longer
any need to type in any directions to the kitchen.”
If that weren’t enough, Desiano expects these new technologies to help
guide Mel’s Diner into the future, not only on a store level but on the
retail and expansion ends as well.
“I am looking forward to the benefits that our upgrades will produce.
We will continue to stay ahead of the curve and try to remain on the
cutting edge of technology,” says Desiano. “We will probably do some
things with our website to sell gift cards as well as to expand our
retail business.... We’ve accomplished quite a bit in one year.”
Founded in 1989, Mel’s Diner currently owns and operates ten locations
throughout southwest Florida, all of them rooted on family-friendly
service, comfort foods prepared from scratch and great value.
For more information, please visit http://www.melsdiners.com.
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Media Contact:
Quantified Marketing Group
407.936.1010
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