Whether it’s at the ballpark or in a stadium or arena, Aramark said it is meeting safety and hygiene standards required in today’s environment, while also improving the overall gameday dining experience, with new and proven contactless ordering and payment solutions.
Aramark partners with more than 25 Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, National Football League and National Hockey League teams to provide food and beverage, retail and facilities service.
To create a safe, efficient and frictionless service experience for fans on opening day and beyond, Aramark’s said its continuous pipeline of self-service concepts benefit operating in today’s COVID-19 world. It has been deploying and expanding contactless solutions throughout venues in which it operates, including:
Self-ordering kiosks: Using touchscreen technology, fans can customize and pay for their order at kiosks.
Self-checkout scanners: Artificial intelligence scanners allow fans to expeditiously complete their transactions. Fans simply place the items they wish to purchase on the checkout unit where they are scanned for quick payment.
Checkout-free shopping: Fans download a pre-determined app, use the QR code in the app as their 'key' to enter the market, grab the items they want, then leave. No check-out required. The receipt will appear in the app. For those without the app, credit card entry is also available.
Virtual food hall: Fans scan the “connected concepts” menu, then have the option to skip the line by ordering and paying on their smartphone and picking up their order at the pickup window.
Mobile ordering: Fans can place an order via an app on their smartphone for delivery to their seats or pick up at a designated concession stand.
Cashless transactions: Cashless transactions – credit cards and smartphone wallet – reduce touch points and increase speed of service. For fans who do not carry credit cards or use mobile payment, reverse ATMs (or cash-to-card kiosks) that dispense prepaid debit cards may be available throughout the ballpark.
Grab-and-go markets: Express beverage markets and concessions stations allow fans to quickly grab and pay for their beverage of choice, packaged snacks and pre-wrapped menu items.
Streamlined menus: Simplifying and streamlining menus will expedite ordering and increase speed of service, while decreasing queues.
Supporting these contactless solutions is Aramark EverSafe platform, a set of protocols that enables safe reopenings and sustainable management of client locations. EverSafe protocols are based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, the National Restaurant Association, among other public health organizations. EverSafe tenets include:
- Providing and requiring appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for employees
- Implementing employee health screening and temperature checks
- Following CDC handwashing guidance and food code
- Frequently disinfecting high-touch areas and implementing enhanced cleaning and sanitation
- Monitoring marked lanes for ordering and picking up food
- Posting appropriate signage and floor decals to encourage social distancing
- Installing plexiglass barriers and reducing capacity in restaurants and clubs seating.
