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Off topic question

LandrysFedoraLandrysFedora Posts: 2,477 ✭✭✭✭✭
in Sports Talk

Me and my wife have lunch at a local sub shop here in Florida every month or 2 usually on a Saturday when running errands. They (the cashier) would previously ask a name for the order once you completed your order. We always say Sparky, one of our dogs' names. We ALWAYS pay with cash, never debit or credit so there's no paper trail in that manner on their records. We are not enrolled in any reward program or anything else there. So, we have noticed the past 4 visits the cashier didn't ask for a name for the order, and also it usually is not the same cashier so it's not like the cashier knows us. As a matter of fact, the last cashier we never saw there before. But when we get our receipt, it has Sparky printed on it. How would they know this? Facial recognition at a sub shop? Also, we never order the same thing every visit. Any ideas from my sports peeps on this?

Comments

  • perkdogperkdog Posts: 32,488 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Co workers talk and honestly they are probably making jokes about you telling them your order is for "Sparky"

    If you were telling them Joe, Mike or Tom I might be giving it a little more thought lol

  • LandrysFedoraLandrysFedora Posts: 2,477 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @perkdog said:
    Co workers talk and honestly they are probably making jokes about you telling them your order is for "Sparky"

    If you were telling them Joe, Mike or Tom I might be giving it a little more thought lol

    Actually, Sparky is quite fitting for this sub shop. It's called Firehouse Subs and was founded by folks in that industry. But I was thinking next time to ask the cashier why it says Sparky on our receipt if they didn't ask for a name. I have a coworker "Jeff" who is going to start going there and see if he gets the same results with his "ordinary" name.

  • galaxy27galaxy27 Posts: 9,045 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @LandrysFedora said:

    But I was thinking next time to ask the cashier why it says Sparky on our receipt if they didn't ask for a name.

    this was going to be my advice

    "just curious, who's Sparky?"

  • LandrysFedoraLandrysFedora Posts: 2,477 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 7, 2025 3:47PM

    @galaxy27 said:

    @LandrysFedora said:

    But I was thinking next time to ask the cashier why it says Sparky on our receipt if they didn't ask for a name.

    this was going to be my advice

    "just curious, who's Sparky?"

    He's the first dog me and my wife had together. He's long gone but never gone in our memory. We always use his name when we are out and are asked for a name for our order. lol

  • galaxy27galaxy27 Posts: 9,045 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @LandrysFedora said:

    @galaxy27 said:

    @LandrysFedora said:

    But I was thinking next time to ask the cashier why it says Sparky on our receipt if they didn't ask for a name.

    this was going to be my advice

    "just curious, who's Sparky?"

    He's the first dog me and my wife had together. He's long gone but never gone in our memory.

    i meant that's what you should say to the cashier if that ever happens again

    Sorry for your loss my friend

  • stevekstevek Posts: 30,930 ✭✭✭✭✭

    "founded by folks in that industry"

    Likely they are smart folks and the sub shop is well run. A very important factor in successful sales and marketing is remembering a customer's name whenever possible. Customers like that, and it makes them more likely to enjoy the experience and become repeat customers.

    Suffice to say, however they did it, it's good business.

  • LandrysFedoraLandrysFedora Posts: 2,477 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @stevek said:
    "founded by folks in that industry"

    Likely they are smart folks and the sub shop is well run. A very important factor in successful sales and marketing is remembering a customer's name whenever possible. Customers like that, and it makes them more likely to enjoy the experience and become repeat customers.

    Suffice to say, however they did it, it's good business.

    This particular shop is very busy and seems well run as you stated but I just can't fathom how they remember that name when we are not really regulars there. I can see maybe a customer who comes in once or twice a week would be easy to remember. But this is a very high-volume store. So, if they have a way of remembering names of non-regular customers such as me and my wife then that is super impressive. Founders are fire fighters.

  • bgrbgr Posts: 3,340 ✭✭✭✭✭

    firehouse subs is a chain (now) which is owned by the same company that simulates labor - some people call it "taco bell". It was originally founded by two firefighters.

    The company I mentioned "Restaurant Brands" does utilize cameras for monitoring customer traffic and activity. I'm kind of impressed you caught them like that, but yeah. They use Momos and... trust me you're going to wish you never peeked behind this curtain.

  • stevekstevek Posts: 30,930 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @LandrysFedora said:

    @stevek said:
    "founded by folks in that industry"

    Likely they are smart folks and the sub shop is well run. A very important factor in successful sales and marketing is remembering a customer's name whenever possible. Customers like that, and it makes them more likely to enjoy the experience and become repeat customers.

    Suffice to say, however they did it, it's good business.

    This particular shop is very busy and seems well run as you stated but I just can't fathom how they remember that name when we are not really regulars there. I can see maybe a customer who comes in once or twice a week would be easy to remember. But this is a very high-volume store. So, if they have a way of remembering names of non-regular customers such as me and my wife then that is super impressive. Founders are fire fighters.

    Fire fighters are among the best citizens in our society. I have the utmost respect for the phenomenal job that they do.

    I don't think they would mind at all if you asked how they do it?

    Just a wild guess. They may have some sort of facial recognition software installed at the entrance, mainly to identify thieves who have previously walked out without paying. Then next time these vermin enter the premises, they are red flagged by the computer, refused service, and ordered to leave. With that same software, the owners may have decided it could be used for more good things such as remembering customer names with their faces, and printing it on the receipt? Your name Sparky of course, having previously been manually entered into the computer.

  • LandrysFedoraLandrysFedora Posts: 2,477 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @stevek said:

    @LandrysFedora said:

    @stevek said:
    "founded by folks in that industry"

    Likely they are smart folks and the sub shop is well run. A very important factor in successful sales and marketing is remembering a customer's name whenever possible. Customers like that, and it makes them more likely to enjoy the experience and become repeat customers.

    Suffice to say, however they did it, it's good business.

    This particular shop is very busy and seems well run as you stated but I just can't fathom how they remember that name when we are not really regulars there. I can see maybe a customer who comes in once or twice a week would be easy to remember. But this is a very high-volume store. So, if they have a way of remembering names of non-regular customers such as me and my wife then that is super impressive. Founders are fire fighters.

    Fire fighters are among the best citizens in our society. I have the utmost respect for the phenomenal job that they do.

    I don't think they would mind at all if you asked how they do it?

    Just a wild guess. They may have some sort of facial recognition software installed at the entrance, mainly to identify thieves who have previously walked out without paying. Then next time these vermin enter the premises, they are red flagged by the computer, refused service, and ordered to leave. With that same software, the owners may have decided it could be used for more good things such as remembering customer names with their faces, and printing it on the receipt? Your name Sparky of course, having previously been manually entered into the computer.

    Steve that is the way I was leaning on this. Facial recognition.

  • stevekstevek Posts: 30,930 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @LandrysFedora said:

    @stevek said:

    @LandrysFedora said:

    @stevek said:
    "founded by folks in that industry"

    Likely they are smart folks and the sub shop is well run. A very important factor in successful sales and marketing is remembering a customer's name whenever possible. Customers like that, and it makes them more likely to enjoy the experience and become repeat customers.

    Suffice to say, however they did it, it's good business.

    This particular shop is very busy and seems well run as you stated but I just can't fathom how they remember that name when we are not really regulars there. I can see maybe a customer who comes in once or twice a week would be easy to remember. But this is a very high-volume store. So, if they have a way of remembering names of non-regular customers such as me and my wife then that is super impressive. Founders are fire fighters.

    Fire fighters are among the best citizens in our society. I have the utmost respect for the phenomenal job that they do.

    I don't think they would mind at all if you asked how they do it?

    Just a wild guess. They may have some sort of facial recognition software installed at the entrance, mainly to identify thieves who have previously walked out without paying. Then next time these vermin enter the premises, they are red flagged by the computer, refused service, and ordered to leave. With that same software, the owners may have decided it could be used for more good things such as remembering customer names with their faces, and printing it on the receipt? Your name Sparky of course, having previously been manually entered into the computer.

    Steve that is the way I was leaning on this. Facial recognition.

    If ya ask them, let us know, out of curiosity.

  • LandrysFedoraLandrysFedora Posts: 2,477 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @stevek said:

    @LandrysFedora said:

    @stevek said:

    @LandrysFedora said:

    @stevek said:
    "founded by folks in that industry"

    Likely they are smart folks and the sub shop is well run. A very important factor in successful sales and marketing is remembering a customer's name whenever possible. Customers like that, and it makes them more likely to enjoy the experience and become repeat customers.

    Suffice to say, however they did it, it's good business.

    This particular shop is very busy and seems well run as you stated but I just can't fathom how they remember that name when we are not really regulars there. I can see maybe a customer who comes in once or twice a week would be easy to remember. But this is a very high-volume store. So, if they have a way of remembering names of non-regular customers such as me and my wife then that is super impressive. Founders are fire fighters.

    Fire fighters are among the best citizens in our society. I have the utmost respect for the phenomenal job that they do.

    I don't think they would mind at all if you asked how they do it?

    Just a wild guess. They may have some sort of facial recognition software installed at the entrance, mainly to identify thieves who have previously walked out without paying. Then next time these vermin enter the premises, they are red flagged by the computer, refused service, and ordered to leave. With that same software, the owners may have decided it could be used for more good things such as remembering customer names with their faces, and printing it on the receipt? Your name Sparky of course, having previously been manually entered into the computer.

    Steve that is the way I was leaning on this. Facial recognition.

    If ya ask them, let us know, out of curiosity.

    Absolutely.

  • burghmanburghman Posts: 1,052 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November 8, 2025 3:48AM

    BGR nailed it - Momos at their 1300+ shops.

    https://retailtechinnovationhub.com/home/2025/5/11/firehouse-subs-deploys-momos-ai-powered-platform-across-1350-plus-locations-in-north-america

    Jim

  • DarinDarin Posts: 7,369 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @burghman said:
    BGR nailed it - Momos at their 1300+ shops.

    https://retailtechinnovationhub.com/home/2025/5/11/firehouse-subs-deploys-momos-ai-powered-platform-across-1350-plus-locations-in-north-america

    Thanks, that explains it.

  • LandrysFedoraLandrysFedora Posts: 2,477 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @bgr said:
    firehouse subs is a chain (now) which is owned by the same company that simulates labor - some people call it "taco bell". It was originally founded by two firefighters.

    The company I mentioned "Restaurant Brands" does utilize cameras for monitoring customer traffic and activity. I'm kind of impressed you caught them like that, but yeah. They use Momos and... trust me you're going to wish you never peeked behind this curtain.

    As @burghman stated below, you nailed it! Thank you.

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