Monday March 23, 1:54 pm Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Pizza Chain to Implement U.S. Wireless Data's Tranz Enabler
Wireless Solution
EMERYVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 23, 1998--U. S. Wireless Data, Inc. (OTCBB: USWDA - news)
announced today that one of the largest Hungry Howie's Pizza franchisees has begun utilizing U. S. Wireless Data's
proprietary wireless transaction processing solution, the TRANZ(TM) Enabler. The Hungry Howie's franchisee has
installed 9 TRANZ Enablers to date, and has given USWDA orders for an additional 40 units to be installed over the next 30
days. U.S. Wireless Data will generate revenues on a recurring basis each time a credit card transaction is executed using the
USWDA wireless solution.
Based in Valrico, Florida, Tom Kazbour is one of the largest Hungry Howie's Pizza franchisees operating 40 Hungry
Howie's throughout the southeast United States. Specializes in pizza and subs, the franchisee has been forced to limit its use
of credit cards in the past to a small number of outlets. Adding the credit card payment option for a merchant that utilizes a
tradition dial-up credit card terminal means the merchant must incur the cost of adding additional phone lines, or be forced to
share existing phone lines within the business environment. For the Hungry Howie's franchisee, this meant that incoming
telephone food orders would compete with the credit card terminals' outgoing telephone calls to authorize credit card
transactions. The result busy signals for customers trying to call in telephone orders, and very slow credit card verifications
for the business.
By implementing U.S. Wireless Data's TRANZ ENABLER wireless solution, Hungry Howie's can now provide its
customers with the option of paying with a credit card. Moreover, Hungry Howie's is able to execute credit card payments
without the added cost of additional telephone lines or tying up other existing phone lines. Throughput and productivity are
enhanced as credit card transactions can be completed in less than 5 seconds versus 15 - 20 seconds using traditional dial-up
credit card terminals.
Tom Kazbour, Hungry Howie's franchisee, commented, ''We have been searching to find a more efficient method to accept
credit cards payments in a timely manner. As a fast food restaurant, we need to keep speed of service as a top priority, while
also keeping a close eye on overhead costs. The U.S. Wireless Data wireless transaction processing solution provides the
answer. We can now further differentiate ourselves from our competitors, offer a better service to our customers and
actually reduce our credit card transactions expenses.''
Commenting on the agreement, Clyde Casciato, Vice President of Sales of U.S. Wireless Data stated, ''We view the fast
food industry as an explosive and relatively untapped market for our wireless transaction processing solutions. The speed of
clearing credit cards using our solutions means that merchants can keep lines moving and optimize productivity.''
USWDA's proprietary enabling technology, TRANZ(TM) Enabler, converts a merchant's existing dial-up TRANZ
VeriFone credit card terminal into a high-speed wireless terminal. It provides merchants with a faster and more cost efficient
way to transact business. The wireless transaction takes 3 to 5 seconds verses 11 to 20 seconds with a dial-up service.
Going wireless means the merchant no longer needs a dedicated or shared telephone line to carry transaction traffic, thereby
eliminating delays, busy signals and the cost to install or pay for monthly telephone service.
U.S. Wireless Data, Inc. has developed, tested and is now delivering compelling new proprietary products, programs and
standards to the transaction processing and credit card industry which utilize Cellular Digital Packet Data (''CDPD'')
wireless networks. USWDA delivers the fastest and most cost-effective transaction processing solution to retail merchants in
the United States today - wired or wireless. USWDA will generate recurring revenue from every transaction processed by
merchants who utilize the Company's CDPD wireless technology. The Company's strategy will be to deploy its technology
through marketing and partnership agreements with major cellular phone companies, regional and community banks, select
ISO's and its own sales force.
Contact:
Rod Stambaugh, President
U.S. Wireless Data, Inc.
(510) 596-2025
or
John Liviakis or Robert Prag
Liviakis Financial Communications, Inc.
(916) 448-6084
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