Large restaurants and grocery stores are launching new mobile apps that enable you to order and pay with your smartphone<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Already, you can build your perfect Chipotle burrito and pay for it before ever stepping foot in the door. In fact, they\u2019ll have it waiting for you at the register. Talk about grab and go.<\/p>\n Pizza Hut also has a mobile app you can use to craft the perfect pie. Delivery or carry out? Cash or credit? And most importantly, how long until it\u2019s ready? Their mobile apps<\/a><\/strong> have you covered.<\/p>\n Retail giant Wal-Mart is in the final stages of testing a new type of shopping app, which should be ready later this year. When it goes live, you\u2019ll be able to scan the barcodes of everything you throw in your basket, essentially ringing up your groceries as you go. When you\u2019re finished, proceed to the checkout and your phone will sync with the cash register so the only thing left to do is pay. Take a minute to ponder what you\u2019d do with all the time you\u2019ve spent waiting in line if you could get it all back.<\/p>\n Starbucks was one of the first major chains to offer a mobile payments app. You still have to give your order to a barista, but your digital Starbucks card keeps track of a prepaid cash balance and deducts each cup of Joe accordingly. The app will also help you find the closest store if you\u2019re in a city that doesn\u2019t have one on every corner.<\/p>\n Another restaurant jumping on the mobile app bandwagon: Taco Bell. Later this year<\/a><\/b>, they\u2019ll also launch an iPhone and Android app that will let you place your order, complete with pictures and customization options (hold the onions!), then pay for it before you step foot in their store. McDonalds has also said they\u2019re in the final stages of testing a similar mobile app<\/a><\/b>.<\/p>\n What\u2019s the goal of all of this? Convenience and customer retention. If you can avoid waiting in long lines to order or pay; if you can carry less (or no) cash or cards; if you can ensure accuracy and efficiency; aren\u2019t you more likely to continue patronizing places that make all this possible.<\/p>\n Also Read:<\/strong><\/p>\n Healthy Menu Choices at Chipotle<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The Best (and Worst) Starbucks Drinks for Your Diet<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Meal Planning is a Snap with Mobile Apps<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" One thing we can add to that list that wasn\u2019t possible just a few years ago: ordering and paying for food. We\u2019ve talked about Amazon Fresh, the grocery delivery service you can access from your computer, tablet or smartphone, but that\u2019s just the beginning. Continue reading ![\"chipotle-mobile-app\"](\"https:\/\/www.dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/chipotle-mobile-app-1024x605.jpg\")
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