How Cellular IoT is transforming Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) with automation

Save time and money with automation

Automation also plays a huge role in speeding manufacturing and controlling quality. Chipotle is now turning to automation to more quickly, efficiently, and safely make their guacamole. Dunkin’ Donuts rolled out their Smart Donut Line that produces perfect donuts in a fully automated process. They’ve been able to both increase yield, improve employee safety, and deliver the consistent brand that they are known for.

Inventory management is also a critical, yet time-consuming, task for restaurant operators. Running out of ingredients or overstocking can impact profitability and customer satisfaction. Cellular IoT enables automation with real-time inventory tracking using smart sensors to monitor stock levels, expiration dates, and storage conditions like temperature and humidity. IoT-connected refrigerators in QSRs can instantly notify managers if temperatures fluctuate, preventing spoilage. Connected scales track food usage in real-time, providing alerts when stock is running low.

Increase efficiency with smart kitchen equipment

With Cellular IoT technology, kitchen equipment in QSRs communicates autonomously with the management system. IoT sensors embedded in ovens, fryers, and other appliances can send real-time data on equipment performance, alerting staff to maintenance needs or inefficiencies.

This predictive maintenance reduces equipment downtime, avoids costly repairs, and ensures that kitchen operations run smoothly without interruptions. It also enhances food quality and safety, as appliances can maintain consistent cooking temperatures and times.

"Cellular IoT delivers the high performance and reliable connectivity that QSR automation needs." - Cuong Tram, Vice President of Sales, Hologram.

Lower the carbon footprint

Quick service restaurants are some of the most energy-intensive buildings. In a typical quick-service restaurant, refrigeration, lighting, and cooling make up more than half of the total energy use. Cellular IoT connected equipment, like refrigerators, lighting systems, HVAC, and more can switch to low consumption mode when full capacity is not required.

Maximize profitability with data-driven insights

QSR operators need real-time visibility into their restaurant’s performance, and Cellular IoT delivers just that. Through Cellular IoT-powered remote monitoring systems, managers can track everything from kitchen appliance usage to customer traffic patterns and sales data—all from a mobile device.

This level of transparency empowers restaurant owners to make data-driven decisions, optimize staffing levels, improve menu offerings, and identify peak service times. Cellular IoT’s real-time insights enable restaurants to remain agile and responsive to market demands, leading to a more efficient operation with decreased costs and improved customer satisfaction.

Improve CX with connected POS systems

Cellular IoT shines for QSRs in their Point of Sale (POS) system. Cellular IoT-connected POS devices enable faster and more reliable transactions, even in remote or mobile environments, by bypassing local Wi-Fi and relying on a dedicated cellular connection.

With IoT-powered POS systems, restaurants can accept payments anywhere — whether at the counter, drive-thru, or even curbside for mobile orders. By reducing the reliance on local network infrastructure, these systems ensure uninterrupted service, faster checkout, and ultimately, a better customer experience.

Automate table delivery with robots

As QSRs continue to embrace automation, the idea of robotic servers delivering meals to tables is becoming increasingly common. Cellular IoT-powered robots are now being used to navigate the dining area, carrying orders directly from the kitchen to the customers’ tables. These robots use advanced sensors and cameras connected via Cellular IoT networks to avoid obstacles, map out the restaurant layout, and deliver meals efficiently and safely.

For instance, once an order is placed, the IoT-powered robot can autonomously retrieve the prepared meal from the kitchen and bring it to the correct table based on the customer’s order number or a beacon at the table. This not only reduces the reliance on human staff for food delivery but also ensures faster and more consistent service during peak times.

Speed service with drive-thru automation and smart menus

Drive-thrus are the lifeblood of many QSRs, but they often suffer from bottlenecks and slow service. Cellular IoT is helping to automate drive-thru operations, from smart cameras that track vehicles and calculate wait times to dynamic digital menu boards that change based on inventory levels or customer preferences. For example, cellular IoT-enabled digital menus can automatically update prices, promote new items, and display AI-driven suggestions in real-time, improving upsell opportunities.

Increase engagement with loyalty programs

Beyond operational efficiency, Cellular IoT also plays a crucial role in increasing the customer experience and loyalty. IoT-powered kiosks and mobile apps allow customers to place orders independently, customize their meals, and make payments effortlessly. The data collected through these interactions can feed into loyalty programs that offer personalized rewards and incentives, boosting repeat business.

“Since Cellular IoT does not need to rely on Wi-Fi for activation or operation, it's the #1 connectivity choice for QSRs." - Pat Wilbur, CTO, Hologram.

Why use Cellular IoT?

One of the key advantages of using Cellular IoT over traditional wired or Wi-Fi connections is its reliability and scalability. Cellular IoT devices operate on dedicated cellular networks, making them ideal for mission-critical applications in QSRs that require continuous connectivity. Whether it’s monitoring food storage remotely, processing payments, or providing real-time updates on equipment status, Cellular IoT ensures seamless and secure communication.

Plus, Cellular IoT simplifies multi-location management, allowing QSR chains to roll out automation solutions across hundreds or thousands of restaurants globally with ease. With the ability to integrate Cellular IoT devices without the need for on-site infrastructure, QSRs can achieve rapid deployment and scale their automation efforts as needed.

Cellular IoT powers automation

The future of QSRs is automation, and Cellular IoT technology is at the heart of this transformation. By leveraging IoT for inventory management, smart kitchen equipment, POS systems, drive-thru automation, and more, QSRs can operate more efficiently, reduce costs, lower their environmental footprint, and enhance the overall customer experience.

Chipotle’s innovative approach to leveraging automation in their kitchens is just one sign of where the industry is heading. For restaurant operators looking to stay competitive, embracing Cellular IoT and automation solutions is no longer optional — it’s essential. The future is connected, and for QSRs, the time to automate is now.

How Hologram can help deliver outage-free connectivity for your organization

Count on Hologram for:

• The highest levels of reliability. The new Hologram Dual-Core SIMs feature two fully independent mobile cores on each SIM that seamlessly switch to a backup core in the event of an outage.
• Guaranteed uptime commitment. Hologram includes uptime guarantees in our contracts and 24/7 support to resolve any issues quickly.
• Exceptional performance: Hologram’s low latency and high throughput solution can handle the volumes of data produced by these mission-critical use cases.
• Simplified management. With the Hologram Dashboard and analytical tools, you get real-time visibility into device activity and performance, so you can keep operations running smoothly.
• Global coverage. Hologram seamlessly connects to carriers across the world to ensure your user experience is consistent.

Get a free pilot SIM with code FREEPILOTSIM and sign up for the dashboard to get started today.