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| Kingdom of Fun: Where ordering food is fun! |
 Call-Systems Technology's Compass pagers handle the queue at the Kingdom of Fun's cafeteria
"The Compass pagers from Call-Systems Technology are fantastically useful," says Dave Wakefield, Director of Kingdom of Fun, Dunfermline. "They've solved our operational problems when it comes to serving good food and keeping customers happy. We've got it sorted so children have more time to play and adults feel more in control during their visit."
The Place
The Kingdom of Fun in Crossgates, Dunfermline is a huge indoor children's play complex, on two levels. It opened in March, 2006, and is already a mecca for young fun seekers and their significant adults. There's the Village Green Fayre specially designed for the under-fives and the more energetic and challenging Magic Castle for older children up to twelve years. Then there are dining facilities, activity classes, party events and special disco nights. It's open 10 hours per day and has up to 2000 visitors per week.
The Problem
"When we were planning the operation we knew one big problem we were facing was the inevitable queue for food at peak times," says Dave Wakefield. "We didn't like the idea of our customers removing their children from the play area to queue up for food and then searching around for somewhere to sit while juggling a tray of food and shepherding fidgety children."
Dave came from a catering background in clubs, pubs, hotels and football clubs so he was also keen to expand the menu beyond the traditional burger and chips that tend to be on offer in children's play complexes. But he found it hard to reconcile cooking to order and trying to serve customers quickly without hold-ups.
The Solution
Dave Wakefield decided to contact Call-Systems Technology (CST).
CST sent out their representative Ian Craig to advise the Kingdom of Fun. Ian and Dave hit it off immediately, they both had footballing connections, and Ian could see that CST's Compass pagers would fit perfectly into the planned catering operation to sort out the queuing problem.
When the customer orders their food they are given a pager, then they are free to find somewhere to sit and get settled, or let the children have longer in the play areas, while their food is being prepared. Once the order is ready they are paged and can return to the counter to collect their food.
The Compass pagers have a range of up to 2km, far more than needed by the Kingdom of Fun. They can be used with tone, vibration or flashing alert and have a promotional advertising window that can be used for special offers etc.
The Kingdom of Fun finds 20 pagers are enough for even the busiest periods because of the rapid turnaround in orders. When the Compass pagers are not in use they can be stored in a compact charging rack ready for the next customer.
The Benefits
"The Compass pagers have given us massive flexibility," says Dave Wakefield. "We can now offer an adventurous menu including steak, fish and paninis. All can be cooked and prepared to order, so it's served fresh and piping hot."
The cafeteria is actually serving more food than Dave originally thought was possible, because, as there's no visible queue customers aren't put off coming to the serving counter. In the twelve weeks since the Kingdom of Fun opened they've served about 10,000 meals - and with a new catering team, that's no mean feat!
"Also customers love using the pagers." says Dave. "They're very high tech and 21st century with flashing lights and sounds."
An extra application has been found for the pagers among the staff. The Kingdom of Fun has its own special characters such as Nogard, the hungry dragon, who pops out during the day to meet the children and to entertain at parties and special events. To ensure the smooth running of this side of the business, Nogard is given a pager so he can be alerted to emerge at exactly the right time for maximum impact!
"Everyone, here at the Kingdom of Fun has found CST's pagers to be a very good system," says Dave Wakefield. "They are reliable, simple to use and have done everything we hoped they would do. Using the pagers has freed up both staff and customers to have fun - and that's what we're all about!"
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Call-Systems Technology Ltd, Middlesex House, 29-45 High Street, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 7UU |
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