Pilot deploys fast food kiosks; supports third-party apps and delivery
Pilot Company is expanding the range of options for ordering from several fast food chain locations in its store network.
Pilot, which is North America’s largest travel center operator, is modernizing the ordering experience at its fast-food restaurants by installing ordering kiosks and adopting the same technology platforms used by restaurant partners Wendy’s, Arby’s and Subway.
Following are brief overviews of the new ways Pilot is leveraging technology to streamline ordering from restaurant partners:
Kiosks
Pilot has installed 156 self-order kiosks in its 78 Wendy’s locations across North America. Using the kiosks, customers can customize menu items, add or remove ingredients and review their selections before placing an order.
According to Pilot, this improves order accuracy and allows customers to build meals to match their preferences, such as substituting a baked potato instead of fries. The self-order kiosks are also ADA-compliant to help ensure the ordering experience is accessible for all customers.
Mobile ordering, loyalty and promotions
Pilot has partnered with Wendy’s, Arby’s and Subway to install their preferred ordering technology platforms at its travel centers. This includes mobile ordering capabilities, loyalty program participation and access to brand promotions and offers where available.
Third-party delivery
Wendy’s, Arby’s and Subway Pilot locations connected to the brands’ ordering platforms are also integrated with third-party delivery providers, enabling customers to order from participating restaurant locations at Pilot travel centers through their preferred delivery apps.
“As customer expectations continue to evolve, Pilot is committed to delivering the same convenient, technology-enabled experience travelers enjoy at their favorite restaurant brands,” said Gemma Patterson, senior director, restaurant elations and e-commerce, Pilot. “By bringing our quick-service restaurant partners' preferred digital ordering platforms into our travel centers, we're enhancing convenience, improving speed of service and creating a more consistent guest experience.”
Other technology-based amenities Pilot offers customers include a partnership with General Motors and EVgo Inc. to implement electric vehicle (EV) chargers at its stores. Pilot has surpassed 300 locations with 1,300 fast-charging stalls across 40 states and says the network, which first launched in 2022, is more than halfway toward a goal of installing up to 2,000 fast-charging stalls across up to 500 locations nationwide.
[READ MORE: Pilot, GM, EVgo reach new charging station milestone]
Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., Pilot is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and operates more than 900 locations in 43 states and five Canadian provinces, serving an average of 1.2 million customers per day.
