Fast Food Mobile Apps Allow Users to Skip the Line and Order from the Comfort of their Couches
With the NBA Finals underway, hoops fans will host watch parties to see if the Dallas Mavericks or Boston Celtics will win the championship title. These gatherings are essential for fans, but they wouldn’t be complete without a spread of fun party food.
Fast food restaurants have become go-to destinations for hosts looking for affordable, shareable options. But if you haven’t been to a fast food restaurant lately, you will notice some big changes. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, fast food restaurants significantly invested in takeout offerings in response to the pandemic, and it has paid off. Consumer spending increased using mobile apps, and touchless ordering has become the new normal.
Dine-in businesses are smaller than they used to be, and there is an increased focus on takeout orders. Fast food franchises like McDonald’s and Taco Bell are increasingly leveraging technology and using kiosks and conveyor belt systems to streamline processes and cater to on-the-go customers.
Loyalty programs are not only free, but they keep customers coming back for more with deals and discounts when they receive a certain number of points. Members of these loyalty programs can also skip the line and enjoy a more convenient customer experience.
By having a mobile app, fast food restaurants can score a slam dunk during the NBA Finals by allowing customers to order their favorite takeout from the comfort of their couches. Below is a selection of some of the best fast food takeout options for the NBA Finals and just about any other casual get-together.
Best Fast Food Takeout Options for the NBA Finals
Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A makes ordering nuggets, fries, and sandwiches easier with its loyalty app. There are four membership tiers (standard, silver, red and signature), and the higher tiers offer more points, rewards and perks, such as requesting a tour of the fast food franchise’s headquarters in Atlanta, Ga. The app also allows users to skip the line and have their food brought straight to their table.
Chipotle
Chipotle has a convenient, free mobile app that allows for easy delivery and in-store pickup and rewards guests every time they visit. An attractive feature of the app is the ability to set a specific time to have orders ready. Chipotle even has deals that aren’t exclusive to the app, including its “Free Throws, Free Codes” deal during the NBA Finals. The fast-casual brand will send out a text-to-claim code for free entrées whenever players make all of their free throws at the line. On social media, Chipotle offered several examples of what will trigger the deal: a player is fouled on a two-point shot and makes both free throws or a player makes all three free throws after being fouled during a three-point shot. The first 500 fans to text the designated code to 888222 will receive one of the 17,500 free entrées the brand will give away.
Jersey Mike’s
Basketball fans hankering for a sub or wrap during the NBA Finals can use the Jersey Mike’s app. There are three special rewards that are tied to the app: a small sandwich for 48 points, a regular sandwich for 72 points, and a “giant” sandwich for 144. The app also allows for customization of menu items and has an order history tab for easy reordering.
Papa Johns
Pizza and sports just go together. With the Papa Johns app, guests can order their favorite pie as they watch the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks duke it out for the championship trophy. A fun feature of the app is the pizza tracker, which allows users to know their meal has been assembled, made through the oven, and when the delivery driver is on the way.
Wendy’s
Wendy’s has a user-friendly app that rewards members with great deals and special offers when they reach a certain threshold. For example, guests can grab a free small Frosty (a mixture of a thick milkshake and soft-serve ice cream) for 250 points, according to TastingTable. Users can also enable push notifications to ensure they never miss out on a deal.
