Advancing QSR Innovation With Mako Networks

In talking with our customer’s IT Directors, we’ve made a list of priorities that have hit their plates this year. A common denominator and something considered table stakes but harder to achieve in practice, is secure connectivity and network management. While a relatively minor expense, comparatively, it underscores the workability of all innovation.

Mako Networks’ secure connectivity, firewalls, and switches play a pivotal role in enabling 2025 IT initiatives for Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs). To support innovation in areas like AI, dispatch management, loyalty programs, mobile solutions, and data consolidation, the multi-location business needs secure and reliable connectivity.

Mako helps QSRs integrate advanced IT solutions without compromising performance or security. Mako’s infrastructure is designed to support the increasing strain new technology puts on the network and consolidates multiple functions into a single, manageable network while reducing operational costs and complexity.

It’s time for the QSR to update its infrastructure to support future technology.

AI Initiatives

AI models require secure, reliable, and high-speed data transfer for processing and learning. Mako’s PCI-certified solutions ensure that sensitive customer and operational data needed for AI insights (e.g., customer behavior analysis, inventory predictions) are transmitted securely across locations. SD-WAN technology minimizes latency, which is critical for real-time AI-powered decision-making (e.g., predictive order recommendations or dynamic pricing).

Dispatch Management and Route Optimization

Optimizing delivery routes requires real-time data transfer between restaurants, delivery drivers, and customers.SD-WAN with seamless failover, ensures uninterrupted communication for GPS tracking and dispatch systems, even during connectivity issues. Mako’s cloud-based management system enables real-time, remote updates and adjustments to the network and any third-party applications with a web-interface behind a Mako device at each location!

Loyalty Programs

Personalized and secure interactions with customers require robust data management and communication systems. Mako’s firewalls protect customer data collected through loyalty programs, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations. Advanced traffic routing allows prioritization of loyalty program applications, ensuring smooth functionality during peak times.

Mobile Solutions

Increasing mobile ordering, contactless payments, and app-based interactions demand secure and scalable networks. Integrated firewall and VPN capabilities secure communications between mobile apps and QSR systems. Mako’s high-speed, fail-safe connectivity ensures seamless mobile ordering and payment experiences, even in busy environments.

Consolidation and Aggregation of Data

A priority that makes the list for CIOs at QSRs is the consolidation of data from multiple sources (POS, inventory, customer data) into a centralized location and then the structure and management of said data. Mako’s VPN Cloud solution allows for more efficient network infrastructure, encrypted connectivity and seamless compliance. SD-WAN technology works alongside the Cloud VPN to simplify the connection of geographically dispersed data within POS systems, inventory databases, and centralized data repositories, enabling near real-time data aggregation.

This year, innovation, growth and enhanced CX can’t happen without the underpinning of goals related to streamlined operations, cost efficiency and future-proof infrastructure to support transformation. As expectations and technologies evolve, count on Mako to deliver on secure, high-performing and centralized networks to drive operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.