Worthington, OH (PRWEB) October 03, 2012

The use of mobile technology is changing shoppers’ way of life from researching products, receiving promotions and making purchases. Businesses are reacting to this shift in consumer behavior by formulating mobile media strategies, and the restaurant industry is no different. From consumer apps to pre-order, touch screens for food selections and orders taken on a tablet by an employee, it seems as though fast food, quick service and full service restaurants are attempting to carve out a piece of the mobile pie. The good news for dining establishments is that generally speaking, Mobile Users have positive reviews.

For nearly half of Mobile Users, the jury is still out on whether or not the use of mobile technology at restaurants actually makes the experience better, according to a recent survey conducted by Prosper Mobile Insights™. However, for those who’ve chosen a side, it seems as though tablet order-takers and order-ahead apps are more likely to improve the dining out experience:

“Do you think the use of mobile technology in ordering at a restaurant makes your experience better or worse?”
(Mobile Users)

Order on own mobile device ahead of time
Better: 59.8%
Worse: 5.7%

Employee takes order in line at quick service restaurant (Panera, Chipotle)
Better: 45.3%
Worse: 7.3%

Employee takes order in fast food drive-thru
Better: 41.7%
Worse: 8.8%

Employee takes order at full service restaurant
Better: 41.4%
Worse: 9.1%

Source: Prosper Mobile Insights™ Mobile Survey, Sep-12

For a complimentary Mobile User report, click here.

“Consumers are more likely to think mobile will improve their eating experiences when they are in a rush—for instance, in a drive-thru—versus those occasions when they want to unwind—say feasting at a full service restaurant,” said Pam Goodfellow, Consumer Insights Director at BIGinsight.

Just under half (43.2%) have experienced some form of mobile ordering at a restaurant. 24.2% have used their smartphone or tablet to place an order ahead of time. 21.1% had an employee in a drive-thru use mobile to take their order and 17.5% have experienced this at a quick service restaurant or sit-down establishment. This trend is only likely to grow: mobile usage continues to climb, and early adopters seem to approve of the use of smartphones and tablets to better their dining out experiences.

Other Key Findings on Mobile Users:
    Over half (52.3%) say they’ve used their smartphone or tablet as a coupon (by scanning a bar code or showing a text or email to a cashier, etc.).    3 in 5 (60.1%) say location-based coupons are convenient and useful; however, 45.3% are concerned about security issues and their location being tracked.    The majority (56.8%) would prefer to receive coupons on a smartphone or tablet via email. 1 in 4 (24.5%) prefer to receive promotions automatically when they are near a store.

For more insights on how consumers are using smartphones and tablets, download the Prosper Mobile Android™ Tablet App or install the Apple® Web App. You can also access the online Prosper Mobile InsightCenter™, updated monthly with fresh insights and mobile consumer trends.

About Prosper Mobile Insights™
Prosper Mobile Insights provides companies with advanced cloud-based technology-driven solutions delivered via multiple devices (PC/Tablet/Smartphone) from the Prosper Mobile InsightCenter™. This decision center provides a comprehensive view of how consumers are using mobile devices including smartphones and tablets. The insights illustrate how consumers are engaging with digital media, including ownership, purchase intentions, activities, usage, service, influence, and ultimately how new technologies are reshaping consumers’ lives. The September mobile survey included 331 smartphone and tablet users from the SSI Panel who completed the survey on their devices. The survey was collected from 9/18 - 9/21/12 and the margin of error is +/- 5.4%. Prosper Mobile Insights™ is a trademark of Prosper Business Development. http://www.prospermobile.com

Survey Sampling International (SSI)
Bringing together Survey Sampling International and Opinionology, SSI is the premier global provider of world-leading sampling, data collection and data analytic solutions for survey research. SSI reaches respondents in 72 countries via Internet, telephone, mobile/wireless and mixed access offerings. Value-add services include questionnaire design consultation, programming and hosting, data processing and real-time reporting. SSI serves more than 2,000 clients, including the top 50 research organizations. It has 30 offices serving clients around the world.

Contact:
Prosper Mobile Insights™
Chrissy Wissinger
chrissy(at)goprosper(dot)com
Randi Honkonen
randi@goprosper.com
614-846-0146

SSI
Ilene Siegalovsky
Ilene_Siegalovsky(at)surveysampling(dot)com
203-567-7230

Android™ is a trademark of Google, Inc.
Apple® is a trademark of Apple, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.



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