Therefore, you should at the very least think about investing in self-service kiosk technology if you run a casual or fast service restaurant. We discuss the benefits, drawbacks, and how to choose the best option for you in this article.
Restaurant self-service kiosk evolution
Over the years, patrons in a variety of eating places have been used to serving themselves—whether that means ordering at counters using a restaurant POS system or selecting food from a buffet and paying for it.
The capability to accomplish this on self-checkout displays, however, has changed during the last several years.
These days, clients use on-screen menus to place orders and pay for them without the assistance of a third party. A lot of big fast food restaurants, including Panera Bread and McDonald’s, are making self-service kiosks the standard.
In fact, according to Business Insider, McDonald’s recorded a 5-6% increase in sales in one year after implementing ordering kiosks for a digitally improved experience.
Smaller digital tablets have also been used by other restaurant chains to display offers on the menu, take drink orders, and process payments via self-checkout displays.
Restaurant kiosk advantages
More time for employees to concentrate on the client experience
Fast food companies find self-checkout kiosks appealing because they streamline the ordering process, which is their main selling point.
One myth that has to be cleared up is the idea that restaurant kiosks force people out of their employment. Instead of cutting employees, the goal is to refocus their efforts on positions that might enhance the customer experience.
Less personnel manning the cash registers means that more workers can swiftly assemble orders and cut down on wait times. Additionally, it frees up staff time to monitor clients more closely in order to get feedback and ensure their pleasure.
Reduced human error with personalized orders
Quick food stands may aid with order accuracy and personalization. At a fast food counter, requests for traditional dishes to be changed may become tedious and error-prone. Because there is a far lower chance of human mistake, the kiosk eliminates that pain point.
Spending growth for customers via consistent upselling
An additional benefit of self-checkout kiosks is a rise in consumer spending. According to a research, customers who put their own orders at Taco Bell and McDonald’s increased their spending by 20% and 30%, respectively.
The fact that the kiosk consistently asks, “Would you like fries with that?” is one of the most widely accepted theories for the rise in retail sales.
The Revolution of Smart Parcel Lockers:
Packages may be safely accepted, stored, and dispensed from automated self-service stockpile devices called smart parcel lockers. With the advice of integrated software systems, barcode scanners, and touchscreen interfaces, these lockers are equipped with state-of-the-art technology that creates package delivery and receipt simpler and more energetic than before.
Main Benefits of Intelligent Parcel Lockers:
Effectiveness and Practicality:
Both couriers and receivers will find the delivery procedure streamlined with these lockers. Many package drops at one site may be made rapidly by couriers, saving many delivery efforts. Recipients may access their lockers faster by using a smartphone app or a touchscreen interface, which cuts down on delivery wait times.
Diminished Ecological Effects:
Smart parcel lockers may assist in lowering the last-mile delivery’s carbon impact by combining deliveries into one place. An urban environment that is more sustainable is enhanced when there are fewer delivery vehicles on the road, which results in less emissions and less traffic congestion.
Cost Reductions:
In the long term, smart parcel lockers may save firms money. They may also cut down on the costs related to unsuccessful delivery efforts and package rerouting, as well as the need for specialized package reception workers. Advanced kiosks combine state-of-the-art technology and user-friendly interfaces to provide smooth, customized experiences for a range of sectors.
The drawbacks of food kiosks
New technology costs
The upfront expense of investing in new technology is often one of the main worries when implementing it into your company. This is a significant task, particularly for proprietors of small restaurants.
A kiosk setup, which includes the display, scanner, credit card reader, and receipt printer, typically costs around $5,000 USD, according to QSR Magazine.
Depending on the amount of customization required and the number of kiosks required throughout the restaurant, this cost may potentially rise to five figures.
Fewer interactions with customer service
Less contact between the wait staff and the client, which affects the whole customer experience, is another drawback that is often mentioned.
This is particularly problematic for restaurants that provide sit-down service, as patrons often ask the wait staff for suggestions or clarification on the foods they are buying.
Opposition to technology
It’s possible that some patrons may choose to eat somewhere else because they don’t want to use a self-service kiosk, depending on your clientele.
Is a food kiosk the best option for you?
Here are some things to think about before deciding whether or not to install a self-service kiosk at your location and how your patrons would react to it.
Evaluate your customers as well as your restaurant.
Customers who are younger in age and who get a rapid casual encounter from you are likely to respond better to self-serve kiosks.
If you own a burger restaurant, for instance, and your menu is much customized, it could be easier for customers to check off boxes on a computer instead of telling a waiter what toppings they want.
On the other side, you should definitely take your time making any digital improvements if your business has a cozier, more casual vibe.
Comments from your servers and patrons
An ordering and payment kiosk might be a big help in solving problems like poor service, long lines, and frequent keystroke mistakes that lead to incorrect orders.
Think of a hybrid strategy.
Even though it’s not a kiosk, this self-service method is becoming more and more well-liked. At Linkitsoft, some of the benefits of this approach, such expediting service and increasing wait staff efficiency, are similar to those of self-service kiosks.