The customer strolls past the long line of caffeine-deprived commuters and saddles up to the bar, just as the barista presents a drink already prepared to her exact specifications: a grande, no-whip, extra-hot mocha with nonfat milk and an extra shot. Is the barista a psychic? Nope. A few minutes before arriving at the store, the customer used her smartphone to order and pay for her drink via Starbucks’ mobile app. A growing number of restaurants are following Starbucks’ lead and offering customers the option of ordering and paying ahead by way of their smartphones. 

What legal safeguards can restaurants employ to protect customer convenience? Read more about mobile ordering.

-----

In addition to Thriving Attorney, Darin M. Klemchuk is founder of Klemchuk LLP, a litigation, intellectual property, and transactional law firm located in Dallas, Texas.  He also co-founded Project K, a charity devoted to changing the world one random act of kindness at a time.  Click to read more about Darin Klemchuk's practice as an intellectual property lawyer.