Tapingo is an app that allows a user to order food in advance through the convenience of a smartphone on college campuses. I can not express how much I love this app. I can order from my classes and food will conveniently be ready to pick up on my way to my next class. It is relatively easy to use and is the pretty much the only way I am able to eat anymore. But what are the effects of this app on the consumers and employees of the fast food industry?
Tapingo is an example of the increase of technology in the fast food industry. Many fast-food restaurants are utilizing technology to take orders instead of employing cashiers. People may say this is harmful to fast-food workers because this replacement of jobs for technology leaves many humans out of work, but I disagree. I have observed that with the addition of Tapingo, more customers are ordering. This generates an increased need for employees in order to produce an increased quantity of food. I have spoken with many of my friends about the app, and the consensus is that they would not place as many orders if it were not for the convenience of Tapingo. They get exactly what they want, know exactly when their food is ready, and do not have to interact with people to receive it. In this case, the addition of technology in the fast food industry is actually increasing jobs while pleasing consumers.
This being said, what are the costs of apps like Tapingo? Consumers who do not have the app, cell phone, or prefer to order in-person suffer. They may consider the length of the line before deciding to order, without accounting for the invisible Tapingo line. This encourages many more consumers, motivated by the short line, to purchase orders. The more customer orders, the longer the wait time. This may upset the in-person consumer who waits for longer than expected, the Tapingo consumer whose order may have been pushed back due to in-person orders, and the employees who do not have enough staff to deal with the increase of customers. If not confined to campus and the use of a meal plan, many people would be discouraged from visiting these restaurants, who would then go out of business.
So, is Tapingo actually a good idea? Yes, if all orders are taken over the app. The combination of Tapingo customers and in-person orders can confuse, overwhelm, and upset many people. Orders should be taken either on Tapingo or in-person to make sure the fast food restaurants can perform at a level where consumers are satisfied, and the staff is not overwhelmed.