Case Studies: Major Brands Are Installing Wifi Hotspots At Record Pace

Schlotzsky's Deli - 600 Locations
From Chainleader.com

Why WiFi? A case study.

Schlotzsky's uses wireless Internet access to bring in new customers, gain favor with families and become an industry trailblazer. Why not?

By Christine Zimmerman

Schlotzsky's Deli has taken an unlikely pairing of sandwiches and free Internet access and turned it into a goldmine. Consider some of the numbers at Schlotzsky's, which has offered customers Internet connectivity in some stores for the past year: Six percent of customers surveyed by the chain rate the availability of computers as "critical" to their decision to choose Schlotzsky's. Figuring that the chain serves 250,000 people a year, the computers drive about 15,000 customers to the sandwich shop. And at a $6 average check, Schlotzsky's credits the computers for about $90,000 in food sales.

"There is a clear correlation between sales and our technology investment," says John Wooley, president and CEO of Schlotzsky's. And his company is not alone. Starbucks and McDonald's are other big-name chains offering Internet access as part of their customer-service strategies.

The draw for these companies is making it easy for customers to read the paper, get games for their children, surf the Internet or catch up on e-mail while dining out. Today's consumer is tech savvy, and Wooley says offering them Internet access as a side order can be a winning proposition.

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McDonald's Restaurants - 29,400 Locations

Excerpts From:

"Burger-surfing: McDonald's announces "biggest WiFi move yet" in Chicago"
From Newswireless.net

A hundred McDonalds burger shops in the "Chicagoland" and Milwaukee areas are going WiFi, which is the biggest American hotspot announcement by the Golden Arches so far. This is a major change of image for the group.

Back in July, the group revealed that it was opening 70 hotspot locations in San Francisco and the Bay area. Before that, it did a New York opening.

Starting today, customers are offered free one-hour access with the purchase of an extra value meal or a premium salad. Prize giveaways such as Toshiba notebook computers and Pocket PCs will also be part of an on-line promotion. Prices throughout Chicago and Milwaukee for the wireless services are $4.95 for a one-hour connection and $7.95 for up to 24 hours. At McDonald's, 7- and 30-day connection plans are also available.

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Marriott Hotels - Over 100,000 Rooms
From Marriott Web Site

We help you keep in touch with what matters.

Now, you can stay connected faster and easier with FREE high-speed Internet access right in your guest room. Available at participating Courtyards, Residence Inns, SpringHill Suites, and TownePlace Suites, this free service keeps you connected while you're away from home. At Marriott, we give a new meaning to traveling with ease.

Available in the US and Canada, our free service gets you online faster to:

Reach colleagues instantly
Stay connected with family
Send and check email
Send and receive documents
Research information
Check the latest news and stock quotes
Access calendars and confirm meetings

 

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