Tech Serving More Than Crackerjacks this MLB Season
Food Innovations Hitting it Out of the Park this Opening Day
Root Root Rooting for the home team is easier than ever thanks to in-stadium technology developments over the past few years. Your favorite field is outfitted with high-speed internet for faster browsing of social media and every team can be found on the MLB Ballpark app. Many in this fast-paced digital world are not interested in spending their time in long lines rather than watching the game. Whether you’re thirsty for another beer or craving a coney, don’t miss an inning this opening day, thanks to these tech innovations.
Cashless for Concessions
In what is believed to be an MLB first, Armark is bringing more than just seat-side snacks to stadium goers. This year they are debuting cashless transactions. Ballpark employees hawking select concessions will accept credit card payments. The Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Colorado Rockies, Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays partner with Armark.
More Appetizing Payment Options
Appetize POS is a cloud based inventory system creating new payment technologies for home stadiums of the LA Dodgers, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals and the Angels of Anaheim. The new POS systems include apple pay and other mobile pay options to allow customers buying concessions to go paperless and streamline the process for shorter wait times.
Order Now & Pick Up From a Locker
The Cincinnati Reds and Delaware North Sportservice have created a new mobile-order food and beverage station for Great American Ball Park. Orders placed through the MLB Ballpark app are transmitted directly to The Ballpark Express Mobile Order Pick-Up Station, designed by Apex Supply Chain Technologies. You retrieve your order at a designated time to eliminate wait entirely. The tech debuted at the ballpark last September but is said to have more operational pick-up locations in the park this season.
UberEATS Delivers to Seats
Last summer, the Frisco RoughRiders announced a partnership with UberEATS allowing fans to have orders delivered straight to their seats. Although this is a Class AA affiliate of the Texas Rangers, if the partnership proves effective and profitable for both sides, it is possible for UberEATS to get called up to the majors.
Robotic Fry Cooks
A robotic arm is here to lend an extra hand in Dodgers Stadium concessions this season. Levy Restaurant and Miso Robotics partnered to develop a robo-fry cook. Rather than looking to reduce employee headcount, the goal is to eliminate the number of burns, cuts or stress injuries that workers typically must endure in the industry. Currently named “Flippy”, the robot will be making an entrance into the stadium as a team member in a popular fried chicken restaurant this season.
2018 MLB Opening Day is finally here!
This is the earliest Major League opening day in history and these tech updates are a home run. We are looking forward to finding out what other food tech innovations are on the horizon beyond the outfield. May your baseball season be filled with peanuts, crackerjacks, fly ball catches, and technological advancements making your game watching experience better.
Thank you for reading. Appetite is the official blog of Appfront, the data-driven solution bringing your food to the table. A tasteful blend of Restaurant Marketing, Customer Loyalty, and Online Ordering.
