Scaling Up Without Slowing Down: How INS Helps Restaurants Stay Online

For a fast-growing quick-service restaurant chain, expansion is constant. Hundreds of new restaurants, kiosks, and mobile locations are planned across remote areas, shopping malls, and urban centers. Every new location brings excitement, but it also brings risk. Lines get cut, internet connections fail, and point-of-sale systems can go offline in an instant. For a business that lives and dies by speed and reliability, downtime is more than frustrating. It’s costly.

INS and Ericsson (formerly Cradlepoint) stepped in to solve this challenge, providing reliable hardware, built-in redundancy, and ongoing support to keep the chain fully connected as it scales. The solution needed to work across every environment, from a drive-thru in a small town to a kiosk in a crowded mall, and adapt as the brand grew.

Every Minute Offline Costs Millions

Before INS was involved, connectivity issues were a daily headache. Locations in remote areas had inconsistent internet access. Lines were occasionally cut during construction or maintenance, leaving staff unable to process sales. Backend systems went offline, slowing operations and preventing real-time reporting.

For a fast-food chain, every minute of downtime directly affects revenue. A single outage can stop point-of-sale systems, delay orders, frustrate customers, and put pressure on staff. Expansion plans were at risk because traditional ISPs couldn’t scale fast enough or adapt to locations without established infrastructure.

The chain needed a partner who could think ahead, designing a network that would never fail, even in unpredictable environments.

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Building a Network That Doesn’t Miss a Beat

INS and Ericsson didn’t just provide hardware. We built a network solution that anticipated problems before they happened.

The approach included:

• Primary Cellular Connectivity: Ericsson hardware became the backbone for all new locations, including remote and hard-to-reach areas. Restaurants could go online on day one, no matter the site.
  
  
• Redundant Backup Paths: If one connection failed, another automatically took over, keeping point-of-sale systems and backend networks running without interruption.
  
  
• Ongoing Technical Support: From troubleshooting and equipment replacement to licensing renewals, INS ensured the network was always reliable and up to date.

Even in the worst-case scenarios, such as construction crews accidentally cutting a line, restaurants stayed connected. Sales continued, employees could work, and the chain avoided costly disruptions.

As the brand grew, connectivity challenges evolved. INS tailored solutions for every deployment type: brick-and-mortar restaurants, mall kiosks, and mobile or temporary hotspots. Each environment received a custom plan designed to deliver consistent, reliable access.

This partnership goes beyond installing equipment. INS evaluates each site, recommends the right hardware, and continuously adapts solutions as the chain expands. No location is an afterthought. 

Planning for Growth, Not Just Today

This chain’s expansion isn’t slowing down. With hundreds of new locations planned, INS is focused on future-proofing the network. This means:

• Monitoring and adapting as new deployment types emerge
• Exploring additional Ericsson products to meet specific needs
• Continually updating security protocols and best practices
• Providing proactive technical guidance to prevent issues before they occur

Today, the chain opens new locations with confidence. Point-of-sale systems are online, kiosks process orders without interruption, and backend networks stay connected. 

INS and Ericsson continue to evolve the solution as the brand explores new types of deployments. The network grows alongside the business, enabling expansion without compromising reliability or performance.

The partnership has transformed connectivity from a constant worry into a key enabler for growth. Staff can focus on operations, managers can track performance in real time, and customers enjoy seamless service.

The Hidden Engine Behind Expansion

INS’s involvement doesn’t end at installation. Ongoing support ensures the network is always optimized. Technical teams provide guidance on new hardware, troubleshoot issues before they impact operations, and maintain the infrastructure as the chain scales.

This proactive approach gives the chain freedom to innovate. They can explore new locations, new technologies, and new service models without worrying about connectivity. The network is no longer just a utility. It’s a growth engine that keeps the business moving.