# Tablet Dining Companions De Santos Restaurant is the First to Use an iPad Ordering System By Christopher DeLuca | Published 2011-08-22 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/de-santos-restaurant References: [psfk](http://www.psfk.com/2011/08/the-nyc-restaurant-that-runs-solely-on-ipads.html) & [desantosnyc](http://desantosnyc.com/) De Santos has instituted a change at its restaurant that definitely brings it into the 21st century: the Italian bistro is now using [iPads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-square-stand) for the dual purpose of allowing customers to order and make payments. The De Santos Restaurant is using a customized app to allow customers to order and make payments. Customers have access to a visual menu for both food and drinks; once they have made their selections they are sent wireless to the bar or kitchen. The iPads actually work out to be cheaper than the currently system. **Implications** - The economic downturn has made consumers wary of spending unnecessary money on things like dining out. Companies need clever PR stunts to capture the imagination of consumers and add a level of aura around the product or service. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.5/10 - Popularity: 15% | Activity: 53% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Publicity Stunts](https://www.trendhunter.com/publicitystunts) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Tablet Ordering:** Restaurants using tablets for ordering and payments ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Hospitality:** Incorporating tablet technology in restaurants ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Interactive Digital Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tabmeal.md) - [On-Table Ordering Startups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/leslie.md) - [Connected Restaurant Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/TCx-M11.md) - [Comprehensive Restaurant Overview Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toast-1.md) - [Intuitive Self-Service Order Kiosks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/selfordering-kiosks.md) - [Immersive Restaurant Rewards App](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bella-italia-1.md) - [AI Restaurant Operations Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iorder.md) - [QR Menu Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dishtup.md) - [Contactless Dine-In Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/contactless-dine-in.md)