Announcing R.F. Technologies, Inc. New Vice President of Sales – Phil Tondelli

Chicago, Illinois - R.F. Technologies, Inc. of Buffalo Grove, IL is pleased to announce the appointment of Phil Tondelli to their team as Vice President of Sales.  Phil is an experienced and talented leader in the QSR industry having successfully managed multi-million dollar sales teams on both national and international levels.  In his most recent position, Phil was Managing Director for a major drive thru manufacturer.  Phil is a seasoned veteran with experience in the dealer and manufacturer channel segments for the past twenty years.  He is a NAFEM certified CFSP Level 1 ambassador.

Phil is a graduate of Elmhurst College, where he received a BS in Business/Marketing.  During his spare time, Phil enjoys spending time with his family and participating in sport activities.

Phil will be overseeing R.F. Technologies, Inc./Big Dog Surveillance Systems sales team and market channels.  ‪In this new position, Phil will report directly to Tony DeLise, President & COO‬.   R.F. Technologies, Inc. sells its full line of Quick Service (Drive-Thru) products and services at www.rftechno.com and Surveillance Loss Prevention Solutions on www.bigdogsurveillance.com.

R.F. Technologies, Inc. has serviced more than 50,000 QSR locations for more than 23 years providing drive-thru communication systems, parts, nationwide same day repair and service, speed of service timer systems, order confirmation, free 24 hour live technical support, and customer entertainment solutions.

R.F. Technologies, Inc. is a trusted brand, trend-setter and industry leader by providing its customers control, convenience and value.  R.F. Technologies, Inc. can be reached on the web at www.rftechno.com or toll free 24-hours a day at 800-598-2370.

R.F. Technologies, Inc. Sets New Industry Standard with Innovative Headset Repairs

Industry Announcements
-INSIGHT Magzine, February 2009

BETHALTO, Ill. – R.F. Technologies, Inc. (RFT), a product supplier and repair service provider in the drive-
thru technology industry, has unveiled innovative, specially manufactured headset repair solutions that
represent a new standard for the headset product category. These proprietary solutions have already
positively impacted the durability and performance of the all-in-one headset most commonly used by
RFT’s customers, as the company has tracked a reduction in requested repairs and related service needs.

The creation of these reparative solutions began earlier this year when RFT conducted a review of
repair requests. Analyzing all repairs by make, model and repair type, the company was able to identify
recurring usage issues with a widely popular all-in-one headset. This particular headset, the 3M C1060, is
a top seller for RFT and is often standard, daily-use equipment for end users in high-paced environments,
such as the quick-serve food industry.

First, RFT pinpointed a user-induced problem with the joint located where the earpiece and headband
connect. This joint often sustains undue pulling and impact as end users forcibly or hurriedly remove the
headset, and as a result, the headband separates from the earpiece, rendering the headset unusable and
requiring repair.

To remedy this situation, RFT designed, engineered and manufactured a support sleeve for the strained joint. This specially-created sleeve prevents separation from occurring, even with excessive use.

Secondly, the company identified the prevalent need to repair broken boom microphones associated with this particular headset. Again, usage proved to be the key culprit, as end users commonly grab the microphone to initiate headset removal, applying extreme pressure through quick motion on the microphone.

Again, RFT engineered a support sleeve to protect the connection of the microphone boom to the headset. This advancement has dramatically diminished requests for repair, as has the support sleeve for the headband.

In both instances, RFT possessed the engineering know-how and manufacturing capabilities necessary to
design and fashion these solutions in-house.

“Our primary goal is to meet the needs of our customers,” explains Bob Noorian, President. “Our
quick-serve food industry customers depend on their equipment…such as these headsets…on a daily
basis to keep them up and running. By minimizing or eliminating the need for repairs, we’re helping our
customers stay productive.”

RFT offers a 4-month, 120-day warranty on this headset, and all drive-thru and POS repairs, the most extensive warranty in the industry. “Our 4-month warranty speaks to our commitment to providing reliable, quality technology for our customers,” Noorian summarizes.

R.F. Technologies, Inc. engineered solutions to prevent headset damage and eliminate the need for previously commonplace repairs.

R.F. Technologies, Inc.’s comprehensive equipment supply, specialized customer service and repair support
are unparalleled in the industry. Staffed by highly trained customer service representatives, skilled
engineers and experienced technicians, RFT is the trusted source for the latest products and responsive,
timely service. For more information, visit rftechno.com.

Panasonic Debuts 'Attune' Drive-Thru System

-QSR Magzine October 2008

The new digital drive-thru communications solution by Panasonic System Solutions features the company’s world renowned audio and wireless digital expertise to deliver consistently clear interaction with customers and employees.
Engineered with optimized digital audio transmission technologies, Panasonic’s Attune Digital Drive-Thru Communications System can help improve order accuracy resulting in better profitability, streamlined operations, and lower total cost of ownership.

“Attune sets a new benchmark in performance for digital drive-thru communications systems,” says JM Allain, president, Panasonic System Solutions Company. “By combining Panasonic’s core expertise in digital communications and audio, Attune delivers a range of unique performance and functional advantages that truly set it apart from other digital drive thru systems available on the market today.”

Unlike conventional digital order taking systems that typically operate on the unrestricted 2.4 Ghz band and are subject to interference, Attune features a spread spectrum design utilizing a restricted 1.9 Ghz band for interference-free communications.

Performance is further augmented by employing a regulated Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) voice technology protocol, transmitting TDMA which is more advanced than the spread spectrum currently in use in the industry. In addition, Attune features true digital packet diversity to provide exceptional reception and sound quality while virtually eliminating communication dead spots and signal fading. And, no FCC licenses are required for operation.

Best Practices: Drive-Thru Timers

-QSR Magazine June 2008

New research study quantifies how significantly drive-thru timers improve speed at the drive-thru.

When you talk to successful drive-thru operators about how best to improve speed of service, one theme you will hear again and again is “Buy timers and hold contests.”

This is the first of four installments of QSR magazine’s Best Practices e-newsletter that will focus on improving speed in the drive-thru. Today we’ll take a look at the first part of the timer/contest equation.

Insula Research, the firm that conducts the annual QSR Drive-Thru Performance Study, undertook an unprecedented research program to determine if statistical correlations can be established between the presence of timers and improvements in drive-thru speed of service. In other words, are drive-thrus with timers generally faster?

THE STUDY

A statistically significant restaurant sample was selected at random. The sample included 1,092 locations from Arby’s, Burger King, Dairy Queen, Hardees, KFC, McDonald’s, Taco Bell, and Wendy’s in various parts of the U.S. More than two-thirds of the units sampled had a drive-thru timer in place, and researchers visited each location to measure service time (defined as the time from when the vehicle stops at the order station to the time when the entire order is received).
Overall, the study found that speed-of-service timers have a positive impact — restaurants with timers were on average 29 seconds faster than those without timers.

The data was further analyzed to determine if a decrease in service time could be directly connected to timers for particular dayparts. Approximately 800 data points were collected during lunch time, the busiest time of the day for drive-thru operations, while about 300 were collected during dinner hours.

For the majority of restaurants, service times for dinner were greater than at lunch. And, in general, the restaurants without a timer had longer service times during both lunch and dinner periods. Restaurants with timers were on average 31 seconds faster during lunch and 27 seconds faster during dinner than those without a drive-thru timer.

The number of vehicles in line for service also has a direct impact on the total time a customer spends at the drive-thru — as the number of vehicles in line increases, so too does the service time. This was also analyzed, as speed of service data was broken into 0-2, 3-5, and 6 or more vehicles in line for service to determine if the restaurants with timers performed better than those without.

Once again, drive-thrus with timers were generally faster. In fact, the more vehicles there were in line, the greater the time disparity between drive-thrus with timers and those without.
ON TIMERS

How exactly do timers help with speed of service?
The basic answer, of course, is that they measure and display service times from multiple points of the drive-thru. Typical timer installations track customers from the order point at the menuboard, through the queue, to the service window, but it’s also possible to include additional detection points such as preview boards and greet time.
Armed with the information provided by timers, operators will know not only how many cars visited the drive-thru at various times of the day, but also the average time customers spent in the drive-thru and which point has the longest wait time. This type of specific data helps identify constraints, target specific areas of drive-thru service, and take immediate action to drive improvements.

Drive-Thru Methodology

The 2009 Quick Service Drive-Thru Performance Study was produced and conducted by Insula Research.

The primary objective of the annual study is to determine the leading restaurant chains in several categories of drive-thru operations. Categories measured in the study include but are not limited to: wait time, service time, order accuracy, suggestive-sell incidence, exterior appearance, speaker clarity, menuboard appearance, availability of electronic payment options, and order-confirmation boards. The overall “best drive-thru” composite score rankings are based on each chain’s performance in the categories of service speed, order accuracy, menuboard appearance, and speaker clarity.

Data for the study was collected during the months of April, May, June, and July of 2009. Restaurants were visited between the lunch hours of 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., and between the dinner hours of 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Any given restaurant location could be visited a maximum of twice—once during the lunch period and once during the dinner period. A total of 9,010 service times were collected, and 4,552 orders were reviewed for accuracy. The 2009 study included assessments from 20 quick-service restaurant chains. Information was collected in all 50 states.

A sample size selected for each chain is based on the total number of drive-thru units each chain operates. Analysis was performed to set sample sizes which resulted in approximately the same margin of error for each chain included in the study. For this study the maximum error at a 95 percent confidence level was targeted at 5.7 percent in a two-way split of the data.

Research study sponsorship published in QSR Magazine. Click here to view this article at QSR Magazine.com

OEM Upgrades & Innovations Keep RFT Customers Up and Running

Since 1989, DDIFO Sponsor R.F. Technologies, Inc. (RFT) has provided the quick-serve restaurant industry with drive-thru systems sales and repair services. To date, the company has handled over four million repairs, ranking it the largest independent service center for drive-thru communication systems in North America.

While that ranking and the volume of repairs are impressive, there’s something even more notable about R.F. Technologies’ repair services: the proven quality and product innovation. Through results of independent, third-party testing and ongoing response of customers, it’s clear that R.F. Technologies has advanced its capabilities beyond basic repair services; the company offers significant OEM improvements that are of measurable benefit to restaurant operators.

“We have a full research and development team in-house,” explains Bob Noorian, President of R.F. Technologies, Inc. “We actively develop solutions and improvements for the equipment we sell and service. Many of our customers don’t realize just how proactive we are in creating real product innovations.”

RFT’s R&D team, comprised of engineers and repair experts, is perpetually testing, investigating and creating prototypes and operational solutions to combat issues of product functionality and durability. Working in tandem with the company’s sales and customer service teams, the R&D professionals identify equipment issues, assess functionality concerns and find better ways to fix what breaks.

With its unique position in the marketplace, RFT is able to both quickly respond to known product repair issues and preempt potential issues before certain equipment filters into the general market.

Noorian offers insight. “We closely track all repair services. Thanks to the immense volume processed daily, we’re able to quickly identify recurring problems and respond to with equipment improvements and repair solutions.”

Through broad-reaching, closely knit partnerships with various franchise communities, RFT often gets early knowledge of potential issues and is able to innovate practical repair solutions before concerns hit restaurant operations en masse.

“This forward-thinking approach really sets us apart and heightens not only the quality and value of our repair service, but of the OEM equipment as well.”

Excellent examples of RFT’s OEM improvements include solutions created for two commonly used headsets in QSR environments—3M’s C1060 and XT-1 models.

Such headsets are subjected to harsh treatment in the demanding restaurant work environment. With insider insights about product use as well as well-documented accounts of recurring issues, RFT’s R&D team created an array of practical improvements to address areas proven weak through daily wear and tear. RFT’s custom tooling, perfected with in-house and field testing, allowed the following improvements to be achieved and successfully implemented, dramatically improving the performance and longevity of the headsets.

· support jacket for mic boom

· support sleeve for headband

· thicker case parts

· stronger headband

· operator-friendly tactile feel buttons vs. OEM non-click buttons

A third-party material testing and engineering firm conducted comprehensive performance tests on components of each of these products, comparing OEM standard headsets to RFT-enhanced models. RFT-enhanced products outperformed the OEM models on all counts.

1. TWIST & PULL

RFT design tested at 47.4% longer durability when a “Twist and Pull” load was applied. The OEM failed at an average of 35.6 lbs releasing the metal band and wires RFT’s enhancement held up to 67.8 lbs and only twisted internally.

2. RESISTANCE TO TORSIONAL LOAD

RFT’s design showed higher tolerance at 270º of rotation versus the OEM which failed at 180º of rotation. The RFT version suffered only a metal band fracture when failing at 270º, compared to a complete case split for the OEM product.

3. MOUTHPIECE

The RFT mouthpiece design was slightly stronger when subjected to a straight pull—42 lbs versus 33.0 lbs respectively.

Other products, including the HME Odyssey IQ, have also outperformed OEM models in third-party testing. According to Noorian, RFT is able to achieve such high performing product improvements because of the company’s investment in custom tooling and the expertise of the staff.

“No one else in this industry has this level of repair solutions, as we custom tool—literally remake—the parts that require improvements,” Noorian says.

He also points out that the RFT advantages don’t end with the physical enhancements of the products. “We provide same day service, while OEM’s offer 2-week turnaround times, and we don’t charge for inbound shipping. Our cost value is $120 per headset while the OEM’s is $200 per headset, and we back our products with free, live, 24-hour professional support.”

Suffice to say, RFT customers reap the benefits of this proactive, progressive approach. The RFT team frequently receives testimonials documenting the in-field results of RFT’s innovations, including the minimizing of operational interruptions and downtime and the extension of equipment’s life.

Committed to meeting customer needs, RFT’s position is to continuously conduct field testing and analysis for all products, striving to find and correct issues before customers ever have a problem.

“We go the extra mile so that our customers’ equipment can perform that much longer….to keep their business up and running,” Noorian summarizes.

For copies of R.F. Technologies’ third-party testing results or for specific product information, visit www.rftechno.com.

View this story online at DDIFO.org

Drive Thru Company Here to Help Franchise Owners

August 6, 2009 By Susan Minichiello

R.F. Technologies, Inc. offers affordable state-of-the-art systems for digital drive-thru solutions, POS, wired intercom and digital surveillance.

As one of the DDIFO’s original Associate Members, R.F. Technologies (RFT) is proud of its Dunkin’ Donuts franchise customer base – around 350 active customers – and appreciates the opportunity to gain exposure and develop additional Dunkin’ relationships. While RFT is headquartered in Bethalto, Illinois (across the river from St. Louis) with a Chicago Branch location in Northbrook, it works with customers nationwide. Director of National Accounts Gary Gerst serves as the contact point person for franchisees and is anxious to bring his company’s products and services to more members of the Dunkin’ franchise community.

“RFT has longstanding relationships with numerous Dunkin’ Donuts franchise owners throughout the country, and I look forward to reaching out to and establishing relationships with more franchisees through the DDIFO Associate Member program,” said Director of National Accounts Gary Gerst. “I particularly enjoy attending the DDIFO membership meetings because they offer our company a chance to go to one location and meet with many owners face to face.”

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, RFT has established itself as a leader in the field of drive-thru communications by providing cost-effective, high-quality, guaranteed solutions and by expanding products to keep up with the latest technology and offer a variety of selections. The company proudly boasts lower prices, higher quality products and better service and support than its competitors. In fact, RFT guarantees the lowest prices and will meet or beat competitor pricing by 10%. The company offers the longest repair services warranty in the industry: Four months/120 days, which is 33% longer than the industry standard. Further, they do not require a maintenance contract for service and support. And through its buy back program, RFT will credit customers up to $1500 for their current systems.

The RFT line of products and services includes complete drive-thru systems (i.e., digital headsets, belt packs, batteries and chargers, speakers and speaker posts, timer systems), drive-thru replacement parts and drive-thru repairs. Among the company’s featured products are the 3M XT-1 All-in-One Digital Drive-Thru System, Panasonic Attune Digital Drive-Thru System and Fast Track Drive-Thru Timer and Information System. With its easy-to-use monitoring and tracking capabilities, the Fast Track System is just one example of how RFT can help franchise owners improve customer service and boost the bottom line. Fast Track visual displays allow staff to monitor drive-thru service in real time, and the related reporting module provides historical tracking so franchisees can easily trace progress over time.

Beyond drive-thru communications, RFT offers POS monitors and printers; music from XM Radio; wired intercom systems for in-house communications; and Big Dog digital surveillance systems. A division of RFT, Big Dog Surveillance Systems offer the latest in surveillance technology and can be customized to fit a variety of needs. Designed to reduce theft, control inventory and boost safety for employees and customers, customizable features include POS register integration, motion detection, alarms and notifications, remote access, drive-thru lane and window monitoring, and video archiving.

RFT offers various bundle packages that allow customers to mix and match products at a savings. All of the company’s products are enhanced by free access to factory-trained technicians who can help troubleshoot and rectify problems.

“Whenever we have units that need to be fixed, we just stop in the Northbrook office and they are fixed within an hour. The service is always wonderful,” said an owner of 23 Dunkin’ stores in the Chicago area.
In connection with its 20th anniversary, R.F. Technologies is offering a number of sales and special promotions. Franchise owners interested in more information are encouraged to contact Gary Gerst at 1-800-598-2370 or garyg@rftechno.com. You can also read more about RFT at www.rftechno.com.

View Story Online at DDIFO.org

Communication Technologies Mean Big Business

Firm Riding Crest of Communication Technologies’ Growth
- The Telegraph, May 2010

Big Dog Surveillance Systems : Communication Techologies Mean Big Business

BETHALTO – With multimillion dollar sales, R.F. Technologies Inc. is an industry leader in surveillance and drive-through communication systems.

Founded in 1989, the company is expanding its product lines, all of which are built to order on-site in Bethalto and carry with them lifetime free technical support.

“Our main focus is commercial,” said Randy Harter, digital surveillance manager. “We’re a national company serving all of North America with the largest independent repair center in the country.”

The company offers three surveillance systems that can be tailored to meet the needs of the consumer, ranging from homeowners to large businesses. This division aptly is named Big Dog Surveillance.

“Our systems are easy to install and people can do it themselves,” he said. “Think of the system as a computer with cameras connected to it.”

The systems are modular, which allow for the addition of more cameras if needed. Clients sometimes incorporate cameras that are not hooked up to extend perception of coverage. Depending on the situation, cameras can be installed inside, outside or in both areas.

For people who wish to check on a property off-site, they can log on for remote control access. The cameras are meant to be viewed by the public, serving as a deterrent to problems such as theft, vandalism, loss prevention and false insurance claims.

Harter stressed that their systems are not intended to serve as burglar alarms.

“We advise clients on system use and placement,” said Michelle Greenwood, creative director. “Sometimes the most obvious place to put a camera is not the best spot for it.”

In respecting a customer’s budget, Greenwood said they need to consider the objectives for installing the system and that each situation is different.

“We tell customers to think of it as an insurance policy,” she said.

This division dovetails with the company’s other main line of business – drive-through communications systems, including point-of-sale hardware, for quick-service restaurants.

The company is committed to production quality as well as delivering prompt parts and service attention in both business sectors.

With a satellite office in Chicago, the company has 54 employees, including 20 technicians. Recognizing the importance of offering competitive pricing, the company offers to meet or beat competitors’ prices by 10 percent.

The company’s headquarters are located at 524 S. Prairie Road in Bethalto. For more information on products, call customer service at (800) 598-2370 or visit www.rftechno.com.