Your next Applebee’s or Chili’s waiter may be an Android tablet

By Christian Brazil Bautista June 23, 2014

next waiter may android tablet chilis restaurant — Photo via Vinny Gragg/Flickr Image used with permission by copyright holder

It’s the Industrial Revolution all over again. This time, the casualties may be the people who take your order and feign laughter at your corny jokes.

Several chain restaurants are embracing the use of tablets, which may make jobs in the food service industry as obsolete as blacksmiths and cobblers. This month, Chili’s rolled out tabletop tablets that allow customers to order food and pay their bills without a waiter. The tablets can also be used to play games- for an extra fee- while you wait for your order of fajitas.

Chili’s claims that its tablet rollout makes it the largest in the United States. In a press release, the company announced that it installed 45,000 tablets in 823 of its restaurants.

“This rollout marks the first time a restaurant company has installed communal tablets at this scale, and we were able to complete it two months ahead of schedule, bringing up to 6,600 tablets online per day,” said Austen Mulinder, the CEO of Ziosk, the company that manufactures the tablets.

Aside from outsourcing food service to technological advancement, Chili’s is also automating food preparation. According to the New York Times, the company has installed computerized ovens that use infrared technology and conveyor belts in each of its 1,200 restaurants.

The 7-inch tablets run on Android. Aside from taking orders, the tablet allows users to take photos and upload the image to social networks like Facebook. The device can also read coupons and ask customers for feedback based on their orders.

Chili’s is one of the newest restaurants to use tabletop tablets. And more are expected to adopt the technology. Last March, Buffalo Wild Wings announced that all of its restaurants in the U.S. will have seven-inch Samsung Galaxy tablets “by the end of 2015.”

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Christian Brazil Bautista

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Christian Brazil Bautista is an experienced journalist who has been writing about technology and music for the past decade…

Mobile

How to check your IMEI number on iPhone, Android, or PC

iPhone 14 Pro Max and Galaxy S23 Ultra camera modules.

Every cell phone — whether iPhone, Android, or plain and simple dumb phone — has a unique International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number that can be used to identify it. This number is exceptionally important, as it can be used for a number of different purposes, from verifying whether a device has been reported as stolen, to confirming your phone for trade-in purposes. There are different reasons you might need to know your IMEI, and there are a few ways you can get your hands on it when needed.

Mobile

How to root Android phones and tablets (and unroot them)

galaxy s9 Plus hands-on review front full

Android rooting is the ideal way to get more control over your smartphone, opening up a world of unknown possibilities, but it’s important to approach it with caution. Rooting isn’t without its risks -- and if something goes wrong, it can void your warranty, leave you with a broken smartphone or tablet, or worse.
Before proceeding, it is important to understand that rooting is not always a straightforward process, and you may encounter hiccups along the way. If you decide that you absolutely need to root your Android device, continue below, but know that it isn't for the faint of heart or technology-inexperienced.
Manufacturers and carriers will dissuade you from rooting, and they aren't just scaremongering. If you don't follow instructions properly, the worst-case scenario can irreparably damage your device, but many people feel that the potential benefits are well worth it. With a rooted phone, you can remove bloatware, speed up your processor, and customize every element of your phone software's appearance.
This guide on how to root Android phones will walk you through the steps to root your device. While we can root some phones in minutes, others are going to take a little more research. But one thing is clear: rooting your phone is one of the best ways to tap into your Android device’s true potential.
See more

Best root apps for rooted Android phones and tablets
Best Android Phones
Best Android 10 tips and tricks

Mobile

The best Android tablets in 2024: the 11 best ones you can buy

OnePlus Pad with official Stylo pencil stylus on a wooden table.

Tablets may not be the hot new thing in 2024, but they're still excellent machines for streaming movies, playing games, or getting work done on the go. And while it seems like the best iPads dominate most of the tablet market, there are still plenty of excellent Android tablet options you should consider.

Whether you want an ultra-premium and superpowerful option, or something more affordable and compact, the Android tablet market has something for everyone. No matter your budget or spec preferences, here are the best Android tablets you can buy in 2024.