Fast, Smooth Service: How Venues Can Remove Wait Time Friction

Recent consumer research shows that long waits remains the No.1 biggest frustration for guests. The latest CGA by NIQ and Zonal survey reports that “long wait for food and drink” is among the top issues affecting satisfaction in pubs, bars and restaurants. These delays reduce spend, weaken loyalty and lower the likelihood of return visits.

The Waitwhile 2024 State of Waiting Report found that waiting times have increased 61 percent since 2022, with 40 percent of consumers going to a competitor if queues appear too long. In addition, the Zonal 2023 Hospitality Review noted that 61 percent of British consumers feel technology improves their experience mainly because it speeds up service. So the message is clear: venues that reduce friction win more spend and improve guest satisfaction.

Where Friction Happens

In bars and late-night venues, service delays commonly occur when:

• Staff are under pressure during peak hours, creating long queues.
• Drinks require complex preparation that slows throughput.
• Skill levels vary, leading to inconsistent speed and quality.
• High footfall overwhelms available staff, causing errors or missed sales.

Reducing these bottlenecks requires both operational changes and the right technology.

How Cocktail Supreme Reduces Wait Time Friction

Cocktail Supreme offers an effective solution for venues to improve speed and consistency without increasing staff numbers.

Key operational benefits include:

• Drinks dispensed in under five seconds, with pitchers ready in 10–15 seconds.
• Up to 30 connected ingredients, allowing a broad menu without slowing service.
• Consistent portion-control, reducing over-pouring and keeping margins stable.
• Simple staff training, removing dependency on advanced cocktail skills.
• Lower pressure on teams during busy periods, improving accuracy and guest engagement.

This aligns directly with findings from ZS Associates (2024), which highlight the need for hospitality operators to automate manual tasks and use technology to maintain guest expectations for fast, reliable service.

Real-World Impact

The system is suitable for a range of environments:

• High-volume pubs and bars where queues form quickly.
• Late-night venues that need rapid throughput during peak hours.
• Event spaces serving large groups where manual mixing is slow.
• Venues with new or seasonal staff, where training time is limited.

By reducing service time, venues can improve customer flow, reduce complaints and free staff to focus on hospitality rather than constant mixing.

Measurable Results

Operators using automated dispensing can track improvements through metrics such as:

• Average service time per drink.
• Queue length during peak periods.
• Guest complaints or returns linked to slow service.
• Staff time available for upselling and guest interaction.
• Serve consistency and cost control.

These indicators provide a clear view of how speed improvements contribute to overall venue performance.

Consumer expectations for quick service are stronger than ever. Multiple recent studies confirm that waiting is a major source of friction, and technology that speeds up operations helps improve satisfaction and loyalty. Cocktail Supreme gives venues a practical way to reduce delays, support staff and deliver a smoother, more reliable service experience.