Electronics Line USA announced today 12 recent contracts with Domino’s Pizza franchise owners for its Remote Store Manager business management system. The deals represent 33 stores in 10 states.
Electronics Line has supported Domino’s franchisees since 2004 with security equipment. Since then, the companies have worked together to continuously improve the system’s capabilities and build it into a complete business management tool. After testing earlier last year, the Remote Store Manager was officially launched in September at the Domino’s Franchisee Association’s annual meeting in Orlando.
Through a combination of remote access, digital video recording, high resolution pan/tilt/zoom cameras, as well as optional features such as two-way audio capabilities, a multiple-store franchise owner can use this system to manage when he cannot be there in person.
“The recent deals solidify our presence in the restaurant market,” says Mike Davis, general manager at Electronics Line, “The response to the system’s capabilities to improve revenues has been positive.”
Initially a surveillance solution, Remote Store Manager goes beyond security, allowing business owners to manage multiple store locations remotely through an Internet connection.
The system is designed to help franchisees overcome shrinking margins by addressing five key metrics: driving costs, labor costs, food waste, dropped calls and customer retention. Users typically see savings in driving costs in the first month. And one user has been able to eliminate a district manager position altogether.
“Franchisees are impressed with the detail captured by cameras mounted across the room. They can see pizzas coming out of the oven and whether they are proportioned properly. They can also zoom in to see the cleanliness of the ‘make line’ and if there are usable ingredients being wasted,” says Mike Hayes, Domino’s national account manager, Electronics Line. “Video is used later to train employees on customer service procedures,” Hayes added.
Remote Store Manager captures activity 24-hours a day through a digital/network video recorder. The recorded footage provides management information on customer behavior, sales data through a point-of-sale integration and employee performance.
The system can also monitor door sensors, heating and air conditioning controls and alarm systems, and send alerts through e-mail or audible alerts as soon as there is a problem with the refrigeration system, for example. Door contacts enable a user to monitor store closings, openings and other events of interest.
“We will continue to penetrate this market within Domino’s as we incorporate feedback from store owners, such as the addition of call logger technology used to record phoned-in pizza orders,” says Davis. “We have also installed a local Quiznos and are in negotiations with other national quick-service and fast casual restaurant concepts.”