QSR Automations

What QSR Automations does

QSR Automations, now operating under the Crunchtime brand following its June 2025 merger with Crunchtime Information Systems, develops restaurant technology centered on kitchen display systems (KDS), guest management, and operational analytics. Founded in 1997 in Louisville, Kentucky, the company is credited with creating the original Kitchen Display System and has built a 25+ year track record serving global restaurant chains. The platform consists of Crunchtime Kitchen (back-of-house KDS with order routing and ticket-time management), Crunchtime Host (front-of-house reservations, waitlists, seating, and 2-way SMS), Crunchtime Insights (multi-location analytics), Crunchtime Go (off-premise/takeout/curbside/delivery), ControlPoint (remote device management), and RecipesPlus, supported by purpose-built hardware including KP-9000/KP-7500 bump bars, HP and Elo controllers, Kitchen Armor and Elo touchscreens, and modular mounting systems. Architecture supports bi-directional APIs and certified integrations with 80+ POS systems (NCR Aloha, Oracle MICROS, Toast, Revel, Lightspeed, Square, etc.) plus solution partnerships with Google, OpenTable, Olo, Flybuy, Curbit, and Smart Bar USA.

The company sells primarily through direct enterprise field sales and a global channel partner network of resellers and integrators, with pricing structured as annual subscriptions (Base/Pro/Premium tiers), hardware sales, and professional services for implementation and rollout. Customers include large enterprise chains (KFC, TGI Friday's, BJ's Restaurants, Shake Shack, Brinker International/Chili's & Maggiano's, Boston Pizza, Buffalo Wild Wings, Cheesecake Factory, Papa John's, Raising Cane's, Zaxby's, Red Robin, Mellow Mushroom, Dave's Hot Chicken, Azzurri Group) as well as mid-market operators and non-restaurant verticals (entertainment venues, travel/hospitality, senior living). Following the November 2024 Battery Ventures majority growth investment and the June 2025 merger, the combined entity positions itself as a comprehensive restaurant operations platform spanning the full food lifecycle, with a UK regional headquarters in Watford and a London Innovation Room supporting international expansion.

Name

QSR Automations

Legal name

QSR Automations, LLC

Website

https://qsrautomations.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

QSR Automations, now operating as Crunchtime, develops kitchen display systems, guest management software, and operational analytics for global restaurant chains. Founded in 1997 in Louisville, KY, it pioneered the original KDS category and serves enterprise customers including KFC, TGI Friday's, and Shake Shack.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Restaurant Technology Software

NAICS

Computer Terminal and Other Computer Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (334118)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Restaurant Technology Supplies (POS Hardware, Kiosks) Wholesale (AFAIALAM)

Keywords

• Kitchen display systems
• Restaurant technology platforms
• Guest management software
• Point-of-sale integrations
• Off-premise order management

Headquarters

HQ city

Louisville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Software Subscriptions: Subscription-based SaaS model for Crunchtime Kitchen, Host, Insights, and Go software solutions. Customers pay recurring fees for access to the platform with different tier levels (Base, Pro, Premium).
2. Hardware Sales: Sale of kitchen display hardware including bump bars (KP-9000, KP-7500), controllers (HP Engage Flex Mini, HP Thin Client, Elo Backpack), touchscreens, mounting solutions, and all-in-one systems.
3. Professional Services: Implementation services including configuration, training, installation support, and software rollout across units. Includes customer success team support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

QSR Automations develops and sells restaurant technology software and hardware for kitchen display, guest management, off-premise order handling, and operational analytics, delivered through subscription tiers and bundled with purpose-built bump bars, controllers, touchscreens, and mounting hardware. The company serves restaurant chains and foodservice operators globally with direct enterprise sales and a network of channel resellers and POS integration partners.

Product overview

QSR Automations by Crunchtime offers a modular restaurant technology platform consisting of both software solutions and purpose-built hardware. The software suite includes Crunchtime Kitchen (back-of-house kitchen display system/KDS), Crunchtime Host (front-of-house guest management), Crunchtime Go (off-premise/takeout management add-on), Crunchtime Insights (data analytics and reporting), and Crunchtime RecipesPlus (recipe management). Hardware offerings include KP-9000 and KP-7500 bump bars, kitchen display controllers (HP Engage Flex Mini, HP Thin Client, Elo Backpack 4), touchscreen monitors (Kitchen Armor, Elo), all-in-one systems (Elo Android All-in-Ones, Elo I-Series for Windows, Kitchen Armor All-in-Ones), and mounting solutions (QBracket, Adapter Plate, Dual Tablet Mount). The platform integrates with over 80 POS systems and serves restaurants across quick service, fast casual, full service, entertainment venues, travel (airports, hotels, convenience stores), and senior living segments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Crunchtime Kitchen: A back-of-house kitchen display solution (KDS) to improve kitchen workflow and communication.
• Crunchtime Host
• Crunchtime Insights
• Crunchtime Go
• Crunchtime ControlPoint

Products and services

• Crunchtime Kitchen Back-of-house kitchen display solution (KDS) that improves kitchen workflow and communication, reduces ticket times, improves food quality and order accuracy, and integrates with 80+ POS partners. Offered in Base, Pro, and Premium subscription tiers for restaurant operators.
• Crunchtime Host Front-of-house guest management solution for reservations, waitlists, and seating management with 2-way SMS messaging, Google and OpenTable integrations, and analytics for restaurants.
• Crunchtime Insights Data analytics and visualization tool providing real-time operational insights and historical analytics with intuitive dashboards, multi-location comparison, and exportable data for restaurant operators.
• Crunchtime Go Off-premise order management add-on for managing take-out, curbside, and delivery with real-time kitchen data updates and 2-way SMS guest notifications.
• Crunchtime RecipesPlus Recipe management solution for standardizing recipes, ensuring consistency, and managing food costs across restaurant locations.
• Crunchtime ControlPoint Device management software for configuring, monitoring, diagnosing, and upgrading kitchen display hardware remotely across restaurant locations.
• KitchenAI AI-driven restaurant operations technology introduced in partnership with CBS NorthStar to bring artificial intelligence to restaurant kitchen workflows.
• KP-9000 Bump Bar Wireless Bluetooth Low Energy bump bar with 20 programmable keys rated for 30 million pushes and a 3-year limited warranty for kitchen order management.
• KP-7500 Bump Bar Wired bump bar with 20 programmable keys, enhanced tactile feel, 30 million push rating, PS/2 and USB support, and audio beep notification for new orders.
• HP Engage Flex Mini Controller Compact kitchen display controller with 10th Gen Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB memory, and 500GB SATA HDD storage for restaurant kitchen station applications.
• HP Thin Client Controller Custom-tailored kitchen display controller with industrial-grade VESA mounts, Intel Wireless Bluetooth, high-speed responsive memory, and industry-leading data encryption.
• Elo Backpack 4 Value Model Controller Commercial-grade compute engine with Android 10 operating system and Rockchip processor designed for speed and stability in restaurant kitchen environments.
• Kitchen Armor Touchscreens PCAP touchscreen monitors with glass front panel, available in 17" and 21.5" sizes, designed for high-traffic and harsh kitchen environments.
• Elo Touchscreens Open-frame touchscreen displays with industrial-grade reliability, drift-free operation, and accurate touch responses, available in 22" and 24" sizes.
• Elo Android All-in-Ones Commercial-grade Android all-in-one touchscreen monitors available in 10", 15", and 22" sizes with Power Over Ethernet (POE) and optional stainless steel enclosures.
• Elo I-Series for Windows All-in-Ones Windows-based commercial-grade all-in-one computing with modular platform, available in 15" and 22" sizes for point-of-sale, self-service, and hospitality installations.
• Kitchen Armor All-in-Ones PCAP Android all-in-one monitors with stainless steel enclosure and Power Over Ethernet, available in 15.6" and 21.5" sizes for demanding restaurant environments.
• QBracket Mounting System Modular VESA-compliant mounting solution with interchangeable design, quick-release adapter, and built-in tie-wrap holes for wire management, supporting up to 15" displays at 5 lbs maximum.
• Adapter Plate Bracket Modular mounting option that spreads hardware across one plate instead of stacking behind monitor, providing easier access to connection points for tighter mounting situations.
• Dual Tablet Mounting Double-screen mounting option for dual-tablet installations, supporting both landscape and portrait mounting with base stand connecting to tablets or locking iPad Air enclosures.

Quantifiable outcome

• $5 million annualized savings from labor reduction
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers24 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration83 records

AI capability4 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• CBS NorthStarcoreTechnology or Integration · 2 February 2026CBS NorthStar partnered with QSR Automations to introduce KitchenAI, a new technology solution for restaurant operations.
• Crunchtime Information SystemsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2025Battery Ventures-backed Crunchtime Information Systems and QSR Automations agreed to merge in June 2025, combining comprehensive operations management platform with kitchen automation to help customers execute more efficiently and profitably.
• GooglecoreTechnology or IntegrationGoogle partnership enables diners to book through Search, Maps or Assistant, getting on guest lists, viewing wait times, or reserving tables directly. Integration drives more guests through restaurant customer doors.
• OpenTablecoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership combines powerful in-store operational software with the largest consumer network of diners, creating a win-win for the hospitality industry.
• Flybuy (Radius Networks)coreTechnology or IntegrationFlybuy uses proprietary machine learning and location AI to improve guest experience. Partnership gives restaurants visibility into customer journey for efficient curbside or in-store pickup. Customer name, vehicle, and real-time ETAs displayed alongside orders using Crunchtime Host and Kitchen.
• OlocoreTechnology or IntegrationOlo's OrderReady AI leverages actual 'Order Ready' times from Crunchtime Kitchen to provide more accurate quote times to guests with minimal effort from brands and operators.
• CurbitcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership between Crunchtime Kitchen and Curbit enhances digital ordering experience with more accurate quote times and proactive guest updates.
• Toast Partner EcosystemcoreTechnology or IntegrationQSR Automations joined Toast Partner Ecosystem to help restaurants improve speed of service and efficiencies through integrated kitchen display solutions.
• ElocoreTechnology or IntegrationElo is a best-of-breed hardware solutions provider. QSR offers Elo touchscreens, Elo Backpack controllers, and Elo I-Series All-in-One solutions designed for harsh restaurant environments.
• Kitchen ArmorcoreTechnology or IntegrationKitchen Armor provides purpose-built touchscreen monitors and all-in-one solutions. Partnership ensures hardware stands up to fast pace and long hours of restaurant operations.
• HPcoreTechnology or IntegrationHP provides Engage Flex Mini and HP Thin Client kitchen display controllers as part of QSR's hardware lineup.
• RSScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRSS is a restaurant technology provider since 2003 offering customizable solutions that adapt to any market and segment.
• SquirrelminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStrategic partnership for restaurant technology distribution.
• Mercurio SistemiminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStrategic partnership for restaurant technology distribution.
• Kitchen ConnectminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStrategic partnership for restaurant technology distribution.
• CounterSolutions GivexminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStrategic partnership for restaurant technology distribution.
• ReSourcePOSminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStrategic partnership for restaurant technology distribution.
• CeconminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStrategic partnership for restaurant technology distribution.
• TheravadaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStrategic partnership for restaurant technology distribution.
• 80+ POS PartnerscoreTechnology or IntegrationCertified integrations with 80+ POS systems including Aloha (NCR), Oracle MICROS, Revel, Toast, Lightspeed, Square, Clover, and many more enabling seamless deployment.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Revel Systems: Revel iPad-based POS for restaurants, quick-service, and entertainment venues. Comparable on customer segments (QSR, fast casual, entertainment venues like arenas) and as a bundled competitor for both front- and back-of-house workflows.
• SpotOn: SpotOn Restaurant combines POS, KDS, online ordering, and marketing for full-service and QSR operators, and is also a certified POS integration partner. Comparable as a bundled alternative competing head-to-head for mid-market and emerging enterprise accounts.
• Lightspeed Restaurant: Lightspeed's K-Series and Restaurant POS offering targets the same mid-market and enterprise QSR/fast-casual segments with built-in KDS and front-of-house tools. Comparable on customer profile and as a bundled KDS alternative for the ~80-POS integration universe QSR Automations also serves.
• Olo: Public restaurant technology platform focused on off-premise ordering, delivery, and guest data. Directly comparable because Olo's OrderReady AI explicitly integrates with Crunchtime Kitchen timing data, putting the two companies in co-dependent competitive and partnership postures for digital ordering and quote-time accuracy.

Broad incumbents

• Toast: Major restaurant POS and software platform that has expanded into native kitchen display, online ordering, and back-of-house workflows. Directly comparable as an end-to-end restaurant tech suite now competing with QSR Automations' standalone KDS module through bundled offerings to enterprise chains.
• Oracle MICROS: Enterprise restaurant POS incumbent (MICROS Simphony, RES 3700/9700) serving large hospitality chains. Comparable because MICROS is both a top integration partner for QSR Automations and a competitor at the high end of the enterprise market where the two systems often co-deploy.
• NCR Aloha: NCR Aloha is a leading enterprise POS in casual dining and quick-service, including TGI Fridays. Comparable as both a foundational POS integration partner and a competitor for the same enterprise back-of-house modernization deals Crunchtime Kitchen targets.
• Square for Restaurants (Block): Square's restaurant vertical offers POS, KDS, online ordering, and team management in a tightly integrated suite. Comparable as a bundled competitor for both QSR and fast-casual segments where Crunchtime Kitchen and Host modules compete.
• PAR Technology (Brink POS): PAR Technology's Brink POS and PixelPoint/EverServ family provide enterprise restaurant POS that integrates with QSR Automations' KDS. Comparable as both a partner and competitor, given PAR's expanding front-of-house workflow features targeting chains like Boston Pizza.

Emerging players

• OpenTable (Block): OpenTable dominates reservations and waitlist for full-service restaurants and integrates with Crunchtime Host. Comparable because it overlaps directly with QSR's front-of-house Host module on reservations and guest management, while serving many of the same casual/upscale dining customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/QSRAutomations
• Facebookfacebook.com/QSRAutomations
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/qsr-automations

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about QSR Automations