Fourth's Workflow: A QSR's Essential Tool For Task Management 

Find out how Fourth's Workflow can help your QSR business improve efficiency and drive profitability through task completion. 

Operational efficiency is essential for any Quick Service Restaurant (QSR). In a fast-paced environment, it is critical that tasks are completed quickly and efficiently to keep customers happy and prevent any service disruptions. 

There are various ways that QSRs can achieve operational efficiency, but not all approaches work effectively. For instance, some QSRs may try to cut corners to save time, which often leads to lower quality food and service. Other QSRs may try to complete tasks as quickly as possible without regard for quality, but this can also lead to unhappy customers and decreased profits. 

At the core of operational efficiency is a focus on quality and customer satisfaction. To achieve both of these goals, QSRs must find ways to streamline task completion while still ensuring that all tasks are correct. 

Workflow: Navigating tasks with ease 

Tasks may seem simple on the surface, but when they are not completed in the proper order or with the correct level of detail, it can lead to big problems. That’s where workflow comes in. 

Workflow is the process of task management that ensures all tasks are completed in the correct order with the necessary level of detail. Workflows can be used in any type of business, but it is especially important in QSRs where the pace of business is fast and there is little room for error. 

Photo credit: Fourth

By utilising tools such as workflow software, QSRs can create repeatable processes that can be followed each time a task needs to be completed. This not only saves time but also helps to ensure that all tasks are completed correctly. This information can be used to make necessary adjustments to the workflow to improve efficiency. 

For example, workflow software can help QSRs to track, manage tasks, and set deadlines. This type of software can also help QSRs monitor employee performance and identify areas where advancements can be made. 

Fourth's workflow and management tools – Engage, LogBook, and MacroMatix – help QSRs coordinate tasks more effectively to make sure brand standards are met. Workflows can be customised to fit the specific needs of a QSR, from template creation to scheduling tasks on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Additionally, Fourth's Workflow integrates with 3rd party software, making tracking and managing tasks across multiple platforms easy. 

When moving through a workflow, QSR managers can easily see which tasks need to be completed and when they are due. Reminder tasks prompt the manager to complete the job, and validation tasks ensure that the correct process is being followed. Workflow also features auto navigation, which takes the manager to the next task in the workflow. 

Workflow uses colour and symbols to show task status, making it easy to identify tasks that have been completed and review those that still need to be done. This helps to drive completion and engagement. 

Photo credit: Fourth

Benefits of a top-notch workflow solution 

By implementing a workflow solution like Fourth's Workflow, QSRs can realise a number of benefits, including: 

A culture of accountability: Fourth's Workflow provides system alerts and reporting to help identify areas where improvements can be made. Furthermore, actions are user/time/date stamped for improved accountability. 

To improve accountability, Fourth is planning enhancements around the ability to assign tasks to individual user, the ability to capture task-specific details (such as temperature checks), the ability to record comments or perform follow-ups for assigned tasks, and better enforcement and alerting of time-sensitive tasks.  

Improved communication: In order to complete tasks correctly, good communication is essential. Fourth's Workflow includes several features that help to improve communication, such as the ability to leave comments when overriding tasks and configure tasks directed to external applications. 

Future enhancements to Fourth’s Workflow also include optimised navigation for SSO users to ensure they are automatically logged in properly into partner application and exposed workflow tasks via an API so other Fourth products and external partners can query or post updates, such as when a task has been completed in an external application. 

Strengthened operational process: Fourth's Workflow can be customised to fit the specific needs of a QSR. This includes the ability to configure actions as mandatory or to have a pre-requisite. QSRs can also define custom groups of tasks, such as “Opening”, “Mid-Day”, “Closing”, and other categories as they see fit. By doing this, QSRs can guarantee that their daily operational process is strengthened and consistent. Additionally, restaurant managers can use Fourth's Workflow to ensure that specific operational tasks are completed in order every time.  

Increased profitability: By not only reducing the time it takes to complete tasks but also ensuring that all tasks are completed correctly, QSRs can increase their profitability. With the visibility from Fourth's Workflow, QSRs can make necessary adjustments to their workflow, such as adding or removing steps, while improving their efficiency. 

Mobile enabled: Now accessible via mobile for easy navigation, Fourth's Workflow allows restaurants to have easier/faster/better access to critical information and optimised hands-on interaction.  

Soon, legacy e-mail notifications and audit reports will be moved into the mobile UI, and potentially leverage mobile device push notifications. Fourth is also exploring a new mobile-friendly workflow status and exception reporting. 

Final Thoughts 

Workflow software like Fourth's Workflow can provide QSRs with many benefits, from increased accountability to improved communication. When choosing a workflow solution, it is important to consider the specific needs of a QSR in order to find the best fit. By taking the time to implement a top-notch workflow solution, QSRs can adhere to the best operational store processes that are strengthened and consistent every day. 

If you’re interested in learning more about Fourth’s Workflow, or any of their products and services, please visit their website www.fourth.com/en-au.