Restaurant Brands outlets go wireless

Media release July 30, 2001

Restaurant Brands outlets go wireless

Pizza lovers, coffee drinkers and fans of the Colonel’s secret recipe all benefit from a decision by one of the country’s largest fast food companies to go wireless.

The Pizza Hut chain’s call centre is just one of the beneficiaries of a deal between parent Restaurant Brands and broadband specialist Walker Wireless to create a national, wireless Virtual Private Network (VPN).

Other outlets, including KFC and Starbucks, will also benefit from the high speed wireless network that will cover nearly 200 sites operated by Restaurant Brands and its companies.

Restaurant Brands Systems Projects Manager Simon Gutschlag said all 200 sites would use the connection for email and Internet use. Restaurant Brands will also use the network for its EFTPOS transactions. Between 600 to 900 staff will be using the network at any one time.

Mr Gutschlag said that managers would be able to see live transactions. Head office would have instant access to sales data, and the network would also be used for training.

“The floodgates are only opening,” he said, referring to the capability of the broadband wireless network and its future opportunities. “There are a host of applications we can now build onto this platform.”

Mr Gutschlag said that security and management had been the key factors that had convinced Restaurant Brands to switch to a VPN environment.

A wireless solution won out on ‘price and technology’ against other options.

“We didn’t jump onto the wireless bandwagon easily. We took our time and weighed the options,” said Mr Gutschlag. “Now that we’ve decided we’re asking Walker Wireless to put their foot down and move quickly.”

Walker Wireless chief executive Bob Smith said the deal was significant and that his company was enjoying working with a customer that was hungry for innovation and deployment of new technology.

“We see that this is just the beginning. Restaurant Brands have a number of dynamic businesses and wireless solutions offer the flexibility and scalability to grow with them.”

ENDS

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