The speedee or Speedy system is a chain production system applied in the production of the food industry. This system is based on the fact that each worker performs a specialized task and that more efficient machines are used during the process.
In other words, the speedee system is intended to ensure that employees participate as little as possible in the production of products. For that reason, it introduces chain production processes as applied in the automotive industry.
Indeed, the speedee system is a production system that was applied for the first time in the McDonald’s fast food company, approximately between the years of 1948 and 1949. The brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald, based on Fordism, created the speedee system.
This system certainly helped fuel the growth and success of the McDonald’s company. But, additionally, it boosted the fast food business. McDonald’s is considered the world’s largest company in the fast food industry. It owns more than 36,000 restaurants in the world and is present in more than 100 countries.
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Highlights of the speedee system
Among the highlights to understand how this system works and how it turned out to be so successful. We found the following:
Application of specialization in the work process
Undoubtedly, the specialization of the work process contributed to the achievement of the optimization of the production process. Practically, when the McDonald brothers organized the kitchen of the restaurants, they did it as if it were a factory. It was organized in specialized production stations and the processes were carried out simultaneously.
As a result, a maximization of the production process was achieved. Since, the output of the products was constant. It never stopped, even at peak demand times.
The production stations were:
- irons: The process began at this station. There were two cooks who were frying the burgers.
- Sauce tank: In this process they were helped by dosing funnels placed on a rotating tray. This kit was custom designed. So, the ketchup, mayonnaise and mustard were placed in a dosed form, with precision and with a minimum of time on the breads. Achieving product standardization.
- Mounting: Assembly is carried out manually. Add the meat, the two gherkins and the chopped onion to the breads with the sauces. Each component with controlled measurements, to maintain standardization.
- Packing: In this phase, each finished product was manually wrapped in the corresponding paper.
- Storage and collection: Here a kind of metal slide was made. The finished hamburgers were deposited in this slide and taken from there to be delivered to the customer. Of course, there was enough of the finished product there.
- Refreshments: At the same time, other workers dosed and prepared the soft drinks.
- Control: A person in charge is in charge of controlling the times, the quality and the standardization of the products.
- Client service: To serve the customer, there was an employee who picked up and delivered customer orders. Meanwhile, another employee made the payment for the order. The process was done quickly and efficiently, taking 30 seconds to complete.
speedee system steps
What was achieved with the application of the speedee system?
The main achievements that can be mentioned when applying this system are:
1. Fast service
In the first place, speed of service was achieved, which today is the foundation of fast food. To achieve success they went through a long process of tests, simulations and adjustments applying chain production.
Obviously, with this they managed to prepare the menus with a time of 30 seconds. Achieving the highest levels of efficiency and productivity, this allowed fewer unnecessary actions by staff and reduced waiting times.
2. Standardization
Second, the system allowed for the standardization of products. Standardization was applied to processes, quality control and of course to products. Facilitating purchasing, inventory and storage procedures. This later allowed them to take advantage of the franchise business used globally.
3. Best quality and price
Finally, the application of the speedee system allowed the best products to be offered at the best prices. A hamburger sold for $0.15 and the entire menu for $0.35. What transformed McDonald’s into the most competitive company in the sector.
Undoubtedly, the increase in productivity and efficiency contributed to improving quality and price. Since, many costs were saved. Making the most of all available resources and the installed capacity of the company. They managed to produce more products, using fewer resources.
What was achieved with the application of the speedee system?
In conclusion, it can be said that the speedee system is the foundation of success at the origin of the fast food business model. Since, it allowed us to offer an efficient service, quickly and at the best price. What allowed the transformation of the fast food industry. Fulfilling the objectives of the McDonald brothers to offer the best hamburgers, in the shortest time and that were economical. They did all this with the speedee system.
