# Waiter-Inspired Tablets Buffalo Wild Wings Fuses Technology with Ordering By Sarah Moore | Published 2012-02-12 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ipad-assisted-food-ordering References: [appleinsider](http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/12/02/07/buffalo_wild_wings_testing_apples_ipad_for_quicker_customer_ordering.html) Buffalo Wild Wings is now using Apple’s iPad to take orders from customers. The restaurant chain is moving forward with the second phase of a pilot project that allows customers to key in their food and drink orders right from the table using an iPad tablet. After testing the project in Toronto, the chain will now be trying out the technology at a Minneapolis location. The tablet will not only allow customers to wordlessly stop their stomachs from growling, but lets them log in to Facebook and Twitter and play interactive games too. It is enclosed in a Hubworks case that features two to 15 hours of battery life and a credit card reader for authorizing transactions. The project from Buffalo Wild Wings is still in its early phases, but with the increased presence of tablets being used for other purposes in the restaurant industry, it could be showing up at your dinner plate sooner rather than later. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.2/10 - Popularity: 34% | Activity: 84% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Tablet-enabled Ordering:** The use of tablets for ordering in restaurants presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for improving the dining experience and streamlining the ordering process. - **Interactive Dining:** The integration of interactive features like games and social media on tablets at restaurants opens up new possibilities for engaging customers and enhancing their overall dining experience. - **Tablet-based Transactions:** The inclusion of credit card readers on tablets for authorizing transactions introduces a disruptive innovation opportunity for simplifying the payment process and reducing reliance on traditional POS systems. ### Who This Affects Most - **Restaurant Industry:** The use of tablets for ordering and interactive experiences in restaurants has the potential to revolutionize the dining industry and improve customer engagement. - **Technology Industry:** The growing adoption of tablets in various industries, including restaurants, creates opportunities for technology companies to develop innovative solutions tailored to the specific needs of businesses in the foodservice sector. - **Payment Processing Industry:** The incorporation of credit card readers on tablets for transaction authorization in restaurants presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for payment processing companies to offer more convenient and secure payment solutions. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Unlimited Appetizer Restaurant Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bottomless-apps.md) - [Connected Restaurant Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/TCx-M11.md) - [Intuitive Self-Service Order Kiosks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/selfordering-kiosks.md) - [Bacon-Packed Restaurant Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/buffalo-wild-wings-bacon-menu.md) - [Boneless Wing-Topped Pizzas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/boneless-bar-pizzas.md) - [Sizeable Weekly Deals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wings-and-burgers.md) - [Interactive Digital Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tabmeal.md) - [Chicken Rewards Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mywingstop.md) - [Bar Order Management Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gotab-1.md)