As we continue to break down the components of the drive-thru ecosystem, we now want to explore the importance of headset durability. Headset performance is critical to the overall flow and efficiency of the drive-thru. A headset failure has the potential to interrupt team workflow and, as a result, negatively impact the bottom line.
Functionality and durability are the two main elements of headset evaluation. However, many QSRs think you must give up durability for comfort. As a result, some QSRs look for drive-thru headset systems that are the lightest in weight. What some QSRs fail to recognize is the impact of the daily wear and tear of these lightweight devices, as they often are asked to endure a nearly 24/7 shift. Consequently, QSRs end up with broken headsets needing repair regularly.
Drive-thru reseller, R.F. Technologies, has estimated that broken headsets can, overtime, cost QSRs thousands in repair fees alone. That does not include the hassle factor, record keeping and aggregated time the devices are in repair and non-operational. Many vendors try to manage these costs by offering expensive extended warranties. However, QSRs don’t want to keep fixing headsets, and they certainly don’t want to pay more for doing it.
In addition, QSRs don’t always have extra headsets on hand at individual restaurants, forcing the manager to reduce the number of employees staffing the drive-thru when failures occur. The cost of shipping, repairing and retrofitting plus downtime makes a clear financial case for durable headsets. If these restaurants do have extra headsets, it means they are making additional capital expenditures to offset expected failures and they need to manage the inventory of spare devices.
Regardless of the situation, when such a large portion of a QSRs business is run through the drive-thru, it is simply unacceptable to have unreliable equipment in this area.
To prevent headset failures, QSRs need to pay close attention to durability features. Common points of failure include headband rotation breakage, mic boom failure, residue in the battery compartment, loose ear pads and moisture entering case housings. Durable headsets will allow for 360 degrees of rotation of the headband without breaking. In addition, components will be designed to withstand the grease and spills that are common in the restaurant environment.
Panasonic’s Attune all-in-one (AIO) and belt pack headsets provide QSRs with a user-friendly, functional and durable solution that also delivers exceptional DECT quality audio. The benefits of these reliable headset systems include less wasted time, energy and resources and decreases in repair costs and downtime – clearly the best return on investment (ROI). To learn more about the components of headset durability, visit the Panasonic website here.
