HME and PAR Drive-Thru System Service and Repair

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Certified on the Systems You Are Running

This page is for QSR franchise operators and facilities managers running HME or PAR drive-thru communication systems across one or more locations in Georgia, South Carolina, or Ohio. If your system needs installation, repair, or ongoing maintenance from a technician who is actually certified on your platform, you are in the right place.

HME and PAR Are the Industry Standard. Not Every Provider Is Certified on Both.

HME (HM Electronics) and PAR Technology are the two dominant drive-thru communication system platforms used across McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, Chick-fil- A, and other major QSR brands. Most certified service providers are trained on one platform or the other. CGS is certified on both.
That matters when you are a multi-unit operator running a mixed fleet, when you are evaluating a system replacement and want an unbiased recommendation between platforms, or when you simply want a service partner who can handle whatever is installed at any of your locations without sending a different technician for each system type.
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HME Drive-Thru Systems

HME is one of the longest-standing names in drive-thru communication technology. The HME NEXEO platform is the current flagship system, offering cloud-connected headsets, real-time performance analytics, and integration with drive-thru timer systems and POS platforms.
CGS installs, configures, and services HME systems across our full service footprint. Our technicians are certified on the NEXEO platform and the legacy HME systems still running at older locations. Whether you are installing a new NEXEO system, servicing an existing HME installation, or troubleshooting an intermittent issue that a previous service call did not resolve, we handle it.
Common HME service calls CGS handles:
Headset battery replacement and charging system maintenance
Base station repair and configuration
Speaker post audio clarity issues
Order confirmation board failures
NEXEO cloud connectivity and software issues
System-wide audio degradation diagnosis
Full system replacement and new installation

PAR Drive-Thru Systems

PAR Technology drive-thru systems are widely deployed across McDonald's and other major QSR brands. PAR systems are known for their reliability and integration with back-of-house technology platforms.
CGS installs, configures, and services PAR drive-thru systems across Georgia, South Carolina, and Ohio. Our technicians are certified on current PAR platforms and carry parts inventory for the most common service needs, which is a significant part of why our first-trip resolution rate is 97%.
Common PAR service calls CGS handles:
Headset and communication system repair and replacement
Speaker post and order point issues
PAR drive-thru timer system service
Integration issues with POS and kitchen display systems
Audio clarity degradation diagnosis and resolution
Full system installation for new builds and remodels
The ROI of addressing a degrading audio system, replacing an aging headset platform, or implementing a proactive maintenance program is not difficult to calculate. The harder question is how long a location has been running below its potential before the system was identified as the cause.

Why Certification Matters for Drive-Thru System Service

A drive-thru system is not a generic piece of commercial equipment. HME and PAR systems have proprietary hardware, software, and configuration requirements. A technician who is not certified on the specific platform they are servicing is diagnosing by elimination rather than knowledge. That costs time, increases the chance of repeat service calls, and in some cases results in unnecessary parts replacement.
CGS technicians are factory-trained and certified on both HME and PAR platforms. When we show up for a service call, we know the system. That is a significant part of why 97% of our service calls are resolved on the first trip.
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The Degradation Problem Most Operators Miss

Drive-thru system performance does not fail overnight. It fades. Audio clarity drops over months as headset components wear and speaker post hardware ages. System response times creep upward by fractions of a second. Order confirmation boards display slightly slower. None of these changes are dramatic. All of them compound.
By the time an operator notices that throughput is down or that customers are repeating orders regularly, the degradation has usually been building for weeks or months. The performance loss that accumulates during that period is real revenue that cannot be recovered.
CGS monitors drive-thru system performance across the 500+ locations we maintain. We look for early indicators of degradation and address them before they affect throughput. Operators on a CGS maintenance program do not wait for something to visibly fail before getting it fixed.
Why CGS for HME and PAR Service
Certified on both HME and PAR drive-thru platforms
97% first-trip resolution rate across 500+ drive-thru maintenance customers
600+ QSR locations served across the Southeast and Midwest
35+ years of commercial technology installation and service experience
Local technicians in Georgia, South Carolina, and Ohio — not a national vendor call center
McDonald's OTP-certified
We answer the phone
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my drive-thru system needs service or replacement?

The clearest indicators are audio clarity issues that persist after basic troubleshooting, customers repeating orders regularly during peak hours, display lag that breaks crew rhythm, and system response times that feel slower than they used to. CGS offers a free Drive-Thru System Performance Audit that gives you data on where your system currently stands and what the right next step is.

What is the difference between HME NEXEO and older HME systems?

The NEXEO is HME's current platform, offering cloud connectivity, real-time analytics, and a more modern headset design. Older HME systems are still widely deployed and fully serviceable. CGS is certified on both. If you are considering an upgrade from an older HME system to NEXEO, we can walk through what that involves and whether the timing makes sense for your operation.

Does CGS carry parts inventory for HME and PAR systems?

Yes. CGS maintains parts inventory for the most common HME and PAR service needs. This is a primary driver of our 97% first-trip resolution rate. Operators who call a service provider who does not carry parts often wait days for components to ship before the repair can be completed.

Can CGS service my system if it was installed by a different provider?

Yes. CGS services HME and PAR systems regardless of who installed them. We assess the current state of the system and address what needs to be addressed. If the previous installation has configuration issues that are affecting performance, we flag them and correct them.

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