Quick service restaurants (QSRs) operate on tight margins and even tighter timelines. Customers expect speed, accuracy, and consistency, and if the kitchen lags behind, the whole operation suffers. That’s why QSR brands are turning to Zebra Technologies and Strategic Systems to optimize their back-of-house (BOH) operations with rugged, connected tech.
From RFID ingredient tracking to tablet-based prep instructions and on-demand label printing, Zebra’s hardware when paired with Strategic Systems' expert deployment keeps BOH teams moving fast, staying accurate, and maintaining compliance.
The Problem with Manual BOH Processes
Let’s be real: paper-based prep lists, verbal handoffs, and outdated labeling systems lead to:
Modern QSR kitchens can’t afford that kind of friction. Automation and digitization are no longer a luxury… they’re an operational necessity.
Zebra Tablets in the Kitchen? Yes, Really.
Forget fragile consumer tablets that can’t handle heat, spills, or drops. Zebra’s ET40 and ET45 rugged enterprise tablets are built for environments like kitchens, walk-ins, and prep stations.
What they do:
When deployed with Strategic Systems, these tablets come pre-staged and protected ready to plug into your BOH workflows on Day 1.
Labeling That Keeps Up with the Line
Accurate labeling is critical for QSR compliance especially with FDA food safety regulations and shelf-life tracking. Zebra’s ZD621 or ZD411 desktop printers, when paired with dissolvable food-safe labels, enable:
Strategic Systems helps configure your labeling software and device setup, ensuring labels are printed at the right station, with the right data, every time.
RFID for Food & Supply Tracking
While not yet standard in every QSR, RFID is quickly emerging especially for high-volume kitchens and brands focused on traceability.
With Zebra’s TC22R or FX9600 fixed readers, kitchen managers can:
Need help getting started? Strategic Systems offers turnkey RFID solutions including RedBeam integration so you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Results You Can Measure
When QSRs invest in digitizing BOH workflows with Zebra and Strategic Systems, they typically see:
Strategic Systems: Your BOH Tech Partner
Whether you're rolling out 10 stores or 1,000, Strategic Systems ensures your Zebra tech is deployed with speed, precision, and scale.
We offer:
Modernize the Kitchen, Maximize the Brand
In QSR, every second counts and every prep step matters. The right kitchen tech doesn't just make your BOH run smoother it creates a better experience for customers, employees, and franchise operators alike.
Strategic Systems helps you turn Zebra’s rugged, connected tools into an operational advantage that grows with your brand.
Contact Strategic Systems to optimize your QSR kitchen
Explore Zebra tablets, printers, and RFID tech for BOH success