HotSchedules Debuts Employee Scheduling Application for Android

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HotSchedules, the leading provider of online employee scheduling and labor management solutions for the restaurant industry, today announced the release and immediate availability of its restaurant employee scheduling application for Android mobile devices. This is the company's third mobile application, following applications for the iPhone and BlackBerry.

“NPD: Android Tops BlackBerry, iPhone for Q2”

“There was a ground swell from our users online through Twitter and Facebook requesting an Android app,” said Casey Clinkenbeard, VP of Product Development for HotSchedules. “This release was truly shaped by our users. HotSchedules customers continue to be a driving force in our overall product development, and mobile accessibility is a top priority for many of our users.”

Q2 market research shows Google’s Android operation system is now installed on one of every three smartphones sold, more than BlackBerry (28 percent) and Apple (22 percent).¹ Additionally, Android mobile web use has increased 400 percent in the second quarter, outpacing both the iPhone and BlackBerry.² Witnessing the rapid increase in adoption for the Google platform, HotSchedules began developing the app earlier this year and is excited to now offer easy mobile scheduling to Android users.

The initial release of the HotSchedules Android app includes employee-facing functionality, giving restaurant employees the ability to:

Check their work schedule anytime, anywhere with a fast, mobile-optimized app
Request time off, pick up a shift, or release a shift and check manager approvals directly in the app
Call or email co-workers on their HotSchedules contact list with one click
Access their HotSchedules inbox and send messages

An app update enabling manager-facing functionality, including dashboard access, is expected to become available later in the year, followed by Google Calendar integration.

“We’re excited to become a part of the passionate and rapidly growing Android community,” Clinkenbeard said. “We’re focused on improving the user experience based on feedback from HotSchedules customers, and we look forward to additional user feedback as we continue to make HotSchedules accessible on the platforms and devices our customers use most.”

The HotSchedules Android app is now available in the Android Market for $2.99.

About HotSchedules

HotSchedules, innovators of the most widely-used web-based restaurant workforce management solutions and mobile applications, sets the industry standard for service, support and labor management expertise. By engaging with its clients as partners, HotSchedules vastly improves management-employee communications, resulting in greater employee satisfaction and retention—and offers a fast, proven ROI through reduced manual scheduling and labor costs. From independent restaurants to corporate chains, HotSchedules’ suite of solutions empowers restaurant staff and managers with all the tools they need to communicate effectively and efficiently. More than 5,000 restaurants and over 450,000 users rely on HotSchedules every day. HotSchedules complements its product offerings with a world-class, bilingual support staff at the company’s headquarters in Austin, Texas. Follow HotSchedules on Twitter at www.twitter.com/hotschedules.

HotSchedules’ corporate and franchise clients include such well-known concepts as Outback Steakhouse, the Cheesecake Factory, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Carino’s Italian, Claim Jumper Restaurants, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Fleming’s Steakhouse, Applebee’s, BJ’s Restaurants, Gordon Biersch, Jamba Juice and many others. For more information, visit www.hotschedules.com.

¹ Berg, Andrew. “NPD: Android Tops BlackBerry, iPhone for Q2,” August 4, 2010. http://www.wirelessweek.com/News/2010/08/Devices-NPD-Q2-BlackBerry-iPhone-Android/

² Cameron, Chris. “Android Mobile Web Use Up 400% in Q2, Outpacing Apple & BlackBerry,” August 24, 2010. http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/android_mobile_web_use_up_400_percent_outpacing_apple_blackberry.php