Taco Bell and Outback Steakhouse have made their dining experiences more efficient with new digital apps.
The Tex-Mex fast-food chain will gives customers the option to order and pay for their meals right from their smartphones, according to USA Today. Customers who use the new, advance mobile app can walk in or drive through to pick up their food.
All of Taco Bell's online platforms - Facebook, Twitter, Tumber, and the website - went dark to promote the new app on Oct 28. The only message they made available read, "The new way to Taco Bell isn't on Twitter. It's #OnlyInTheApp."
The mobile app is available free for iOS and Android customers. Taco Bell is the first national, fast-food chain to provide mobile ordering and payment for both drive-thru and dine-in customers, according to USA Today.
"Consumers have told us they continue to look for the experience that meets them where they are and to customize it to what they want and how they want it," Brian Niccol, president of Taco Bell, told USA Today.
Outback Steakhouse customers may never have to wait in line again for a table if they use the new online Click Through Seating tool, available on Nov. 4. The industry-first app will allow customers to make reservations online using their mobile devices or laptops.
"This has historically been a pain point to our customers," John Schaufelberger, chief marketing officer for Outback Steakhouse, told USA Today about guests waiting for a table when they come in. "We don't want that to be a barrier."
The restaurants' more than 1200 locations will provide their seating wait times for customers to check before arriving. The customers can add their names to the current wait list or place it in the queue for any time that day. Late arrivals will be penalized and have their name dropped from the list.
