High-Tech, Interactive Way to Wait for Your Table

Waiting for a table at a restaurant doesn’t have to be as boring as watching grass grow.

At least according to Entertainment Systems Technology, a Huntington Beach company that has recently introduced the FunPad, a tablet-sized device equipped with a touch screen that provides guests with interactive entertainment until their table becomes available.

Patrons can use the high-tech device to play games, view restaurant and menu selections or watch movie trailers.

Locally, the FunPad system has been installed at TGI Friday’s in Rancho Santa Margarita, National Sports Grill & Bar in Orange and at Denny’s restaurants in Brea and Mission Viejo.

“Sometimes when we’re not busy, we let the kids take them to the table until their food comes,” said Enrique Renteria, manager of the TGI Friday’s. “There’s games for kids and parents and even employees too. People like them.”

Said Kevin Curtis, general manager of the National Sports Grill: “In the restaurant business, you try not to have down time and this fills it.”

The system, which carries a price tag of $5,000 per restaurant, includes up to 30 of the hand-held gadgets that feature an eight-inch video screen, stereo sound and a built-in printer.

Ron Goodman, chief executive officer of Entertainment Systems Technology, said the company currently has deals to install its product in about 2,000 restaurants, including 10 Denny’s locations in several states and some McDonald’s restaurants.