From a customer standpoint, there’s nothing more frustrating than having to wait, whether it be at the bar to order a drink, behind the guy at lunch who can’t decide what he’s in the mood for, or sitting (im)patiently at the table for the server to bring the check. The same goes for restaurant and bar operators—there’s nothing more frustrating than losing customers as a result of slow service. Lucky for all of us, those days may soon be behind us thanks to the advent of mobile menuing technology.

There’s An App for That
In late 2009, restaurateurs jumped on the iPhone app bandwagon, and they don’t seem to be slowing down. Dunkin’ Donuts introduced Dunkin Run, fast-food giant Burger King launched the location-aware NOW, and within three months of inception, Pizza Hut’s iPhone and iPod touch ordering application generated over $1 million in sales for the chain.

More recently, Chipotle, the fast-casual franchise that’s…

In this sluggish economy, it’s no secret that quick-service restaurants are doing all they can to attract cost-conscious diners. (For proof, look no further than the double-cheeseburger pricing limbo between McDonald’s, Burger King and Carl’s Jr. To the victor go the double-beef-and-cheese spoils!)

But what can restaurants do to target those diners looking for great-tasting food and a sit-down dining experience at quick-service prices? Fast-casual restaurants are helping to bridge the divide between the two.

QSR magazine points out that these “hybrids of quick-service and casual dining … provide counter service and offer more customized and freshly prepared dishes than traditional quick-serves, all in a upscaled, inviting atmosphere.” Popular chains like SmashBurger, Mission Burrito and Pei Wei Asian Diner all feature the front-counter service, open kitchens and tailor-made cuisine that define the fast-casual restaurant.  What’s more, with average check orders hovering around $10 per diner, a fast-casual dining experience doesn’t cost much more than a fast-food order…