O'Charley's chains to use new kitchen systemsO'Charley's chains to use new kitchen systems

NASHVILLE Tenn. O'Charley's Inc., based here, is rolling out to its 340-plus namesake and Ninety Nine Restaurant casual-dining outlets QSR Automation's kitchen software and hardware, the supplier indicated.

O'Charley's is using QSR Automation's graphically oriented ConnectSmart Kitchen software and eXpert controller hardware, as well as the vendor's KP-3000 keypads. Representatives of the Louisville, Ky.-based vendor said the rollout has a targeted completion date of the end of 2008 and follows more than a year of testing.

Among other things, the new system eliminates printed tickets and uses graphical displays to show order components by preparation station and their status and helps time production so that the foods needed for one order or table are completed at about the same time. O'Charley's chief information officer Leon M. de Wet said the technology has "made a tremendous impact on our O'Charley's and Ninety Nine restaurants with regard to quality, timeliness and overall execution."