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October 14, 2010

Media Coverage

TextMyFood Press Releases

Rustle Hill Restaurant and Winery Improves Service and Guest Experience with TextMyFood™

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. Aug 1, 2011 -- The Rustle Hill Restaurant and Winery found a solution to the challenge of providing excellent dining service at their outdoor tables, many of which are generally out of the view of the indoor staff. The dining area at the Illinois winery is spread out, with tables located both indoors and outdoors on the winery grounds. The Winery needed an effective way for outdoor guests to easily contact and request service from the staff.

There are now over 2.4 billion active text messaging users , many of whom are young professionals. TextMyFood caters directly to this group by enabling them to send quick requests to their server when their server is out of view. The requests are displayed for the server on a touch screen provided by TextMyFood.

To address the challenge, Rustle Hill implemented TextMyFood, a system that enables guests to send simple text requests for service from their cell phones. A touch-screen monitor near the kitchen displays the incoming messages. The messages include the guest’s request and table number. Guests receive an automatic reply so they know that their request has been received. The staff can also send a personal reply or ask a follow-up question. Usage reports give a summary of all requests and show how quickly each request was responded to.

Results
With TextMyFood, Rustle Hill Winery has been able to provide enhanced service without increasing the staff size. Guests enjoy just the right level of service and Rustle Hill gets the best return on their investment.

“TextMyFood solved a major problem for us. Our guests as well as our employees really like it,” said John Patrick Russell, the proprietor of Rustle Hill Winery. “Not only has TextMyFood given us an optimal solution to our coverage challenge, but the cool factor has been a big plus for both our guests and servers.”

About Rustle Hill Winery and Restaurant
Rustle Hill Winery is one of twelve wineries that make up the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail in Southern Illinois. The SHWT is the oldest wine trail association in the state. Their native varietal wines include Chambourcin, Seyval Blanc, Vidal Blanc, Chardonel, Vignoles, Cabernet Franc, and Traminet. The Wine Trail has helped to invigorate the local tourist economy and, coupled with the amazing geologic and ecological attractions of the area, is responsible for hundreds of thousands of visitors a year to the area.

The winery is situated on 65 acres at the outskirts of the Shawnee Hills National Forest. It comprises an extensive series of patios and decks, as well as a five-acre amphitheater and outdoor concert arena. The seating capacity for hundreds of people is spread over several acres. The restaurant serves lunch, appetizers, and dinner. The facility also includes several chalet cabins nestled across the valley from the winery, overlooking the pond and amphitheater.

About TextMyFood

TextMyFood increases restaurant cover average and provides a better guest experience. Guests use the system to make short requests for additional drinks, appetizers, desserts, the check, and other items by sending a text message from their cell phone to the system’s touch-screen display station. By making it easier and even fun to order that second round and additional appetizers, guests are ordering more at the restaurants where the system is in use. The system can also send out promotions to guests who have opted in to receive them.

Contact: pr@textmyfood.com
(617) 444-9998