Erik's Pancake Shop

If I were to start a food service establishment, it may very well be a pancake shop.  Since pancakes are one of the few foods my wife isn't afraid of me cooking, I see it as my primary food expertise (besides waffles of course).  I also feel particularly qualified to make pancakes because I make better pancakes than every pancake mix and restaurant that I know of.  This is due to the simple fact that pancakes are best enjoyed when ample amounts of sugar and butter are included in the batter.   Anyway, I'll get right to the point and explain what would make my shop totally awesome!!

1.   Fully automated pancake production.

2.  Customized pancake production
Pancakes will be customizable in a number of ways.  Customers may choose to customize the ingredients by selecting options such as more or less sugar, chocolate chips, raisins, oatmeal, cornmeal etc.  They will also be able to choose if they want them thick or thin, light and fluffy or dense.  They can also select if they want it well-done or not.  Customers can also choose to have their pancakes made in variety of shapes (using CNC controlled batter placement).  Customers could also select to burn an image of something onto their pancake (like a self-portrait or something).  The image burning will be done possibly using something like a laser/CCD combo.

2.  High- Tech ordering
Most customers will order using an App on their smart phones, or text message (if they're too cheap for a data plan like me) although kiosks will be available for those that want to order in person.  Customers could either enter in when they'll be there or they could just allow their phone's GPS function to send info on when they will arrive and need their pancakes.

3.  Good customer service
Although pretty much everything will be automated, there will still be a good number of employees around to greet the customers and make sure that they are comfortable and enjoy their visit.

4.  Jukebox 2.0 (see other post)

5.  Multi-touch walls with fun games on them

6.  Soft-serve ice cream

7.  The place will be like a shrine to science/technology.  Every machine will be attractively displayed with see-through walls so that customers can see how everything works.  The restaurant will sponsor local science/technology groups as well as host various science/technology events and exhibits.

8.  Data-driven.
I would collect data on everything and continually analyze ways to improve and optimize service delivery.

9.   Customer-Council
All customers who have visited at least twice in the last month will be invited to a monthly meeting in which restaurant management will meet with customers, customers can try trial recipes for free, and everything from health/safety to taste, events, music selection, decoration and charitable donations will be discussed openly.