By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

Online ordering has become commonplace in the last few years for many national chain restaurants. Now fans of the Golden Q in Hays can use the technology once relegated to the largest of franchises to order their favorite food through the Golden Q app. Food can be picked up through the carryout window across the street at the Golden Griddle.

The Griddle opened last year as a breakfast counterpart to the Q, but now carryout orders from the Q will be available exclusively at the carryout window on the south side of the Griddle building.

While the new system was developed to make ordering easier, some confusion has popped up around the new system.

“Basically what we did was … we put two separate kitchen lines in the Griddle,” said Brady Herman, general manager. “All your food is prepped the same way with the same ingredients. We use nothing different over there. It’s just in a different kitchen.”

But with any change, getting the word out has been challenging.

“I knew the hardest part of this process would be getting everyone to understand exactly what’s going on and where everything is located,” Herman said.

While the new system makes ordering easier for customers, it will also allow quicker service, for both the carryout and dine-in customers.

“The whole purpose of this is for accessibility, convenience and obviously now we can push more food out, (the Q) can get people in and out faster,” he said.

Early adopters have given the system good reviews, according to Herman, with the carryout window having been open for about three weeks.

Along with the new carryout window, an online app has been developed that allows orders to be saved, and payments to be accepted, allowing customers to quickly pick up orders when they are ready.

“Everyone that has used the app has told us it is easy to use,” Herman said.

It is available on both Droid and Apple devices, by searching app stores on both platforms. All payment forms, including Golden Q gift cards, will also be taken at the window.

“I don’t want people to shy away from this. … I want them to understand that this is going to be easier,” Herman said.

Once a order is placed, an email receipt is sent, along with a late message that will alert customers when a order is almost complete.

Brady said an average carryout time is between 15 and 20 minutes, depending on the number of orders being processed.

Along with the mobile app development, a decidedly more low-tech ordering system has been developed to help with large business orders – fax machine ordering is also available.

With large orders going to many people, written fax orders are easier to put together, making sure each individual order is prepared and packaged correctly.

“It’s a lot easier for us if they make a list of people names and what they wanted and just fax it to us a few hours ahead,” Herman said.

Herman also wants customers to know a new phone number is available to make carryout orders easier.

“Instead of doing a transfer system with the phone, I went ahead a got a new separate number for the carryout system,” he said.

To order carryout over the phone for the Golden Q, the new number is (785) 301-2485, or through the app that can be found in Google Play, by searching Golden Q or the Apple App Store. Both apps are free.

To find a full carryout menu, visit their Facebook page here.