PORTLAND, Ore. — Walk into the new Crisp restaurant on Southeast Division Street and you'll notice the safety measures in place; the 6-foot distance stickers on the floor and the plexiglass barriers.
"Trying to ensure the safety of customers as well as our team members is our number one priority," explained founder Emma Dye.
Dye said she's been making all the necessary changes since the pandemic started. Because while in-store dining is not happening, takeout is.
"The pandemic has accelerated an already growing trend for delivery and on ordering and takeout," Dye said.
Of course, an increase in takeout orders presents its own challenges. One of which: drivers picking up the wrong orders.
"When it does happen, it creates so much chaos," Dye said.
But it won't be happening any more thanks to its brand new Minnow Pod. Think of it sort of like an Amazon locker for food.
"Each of the cubbies is individually insulated so you can put hot food or cold food in there," explained Christopher Stanvick, vice president of brand and growth marketing for Minnow Technologies.
The Portland-based startup developed the pod three years ago putting them first in office buildings. Crisp is the first restaurant to use the pod.
"This is the first in-store pod in the entire country," said Stanvick.
Here's how it works: You call in your order for pickup. When you get notified it's ready, you just come to the pod, click on the link in your notification and the cubby door opens.
Or, you can simply scan the QR code, find out your cubby number and click on it. No interaction with another person necessary.
The cost for a restaurant to have one of the pods is about $300 to $400 a month, but that cost includes everything from software to support.
Dye believes it's well worth it.
"Having it to where the cubby is only accessible by the person supposed to be picking up the order, " she said. "It's going to be a game-changer."