Self-service kiosks have allowed the food and beverage industry to make great strides in efficiency and customer service by providing users with an easy-to-use ordering platform. Today we will discuss these and other kiosk innovations that have allowed the industry to change for the better.
A self-service kiosk for food and beverage, such as quick-service restaurants (QSRs) is a kiosk that allows customers to order their food digitally. Many restaurant and commissary kiosks also give customers the option to pay for their order via electronic means, such as credit cards. When designed and implemented effectively, these kiosks can shorten customer wait times while increasing revenue via up- and cross-selling. And because they take some of the burden of customer service off of employees, food service kiosks can also help alleviate a portion of employees’ stress, especially during peak hours, such as the lunch rush.
Fast food/quick-service restaurants utilize self-service kiosks to handle all aspects of the ordering process. This includes selecting menu items and accepting payment. This expedites the process and allows staff to deal with more complex orders and customer service needs. Examples of successful chains that utilize these kiosks include McDonalds, Taco Bell, and Wendy’s.
Chains such as Wendy's have been very successful with their implementation of self-order kiosks. These operate similarly to those at QSRs, except some fast-casual restaurants will deliver your food directly to your table after ordering and payment.
COVID-19 has meant that restaurants have had to find ways to keep diners and guests safely distanced. Self-ordering tablets, such as those available at Chili’s, are placed directly at dining tables and allow customers to order efficiently while minimizing contact with servers.
These kiosks are popular in places like airports with heavy foot traffic and a need to serve customers quickly. Customers can simply select a pre-made food item from the shelf, scan it at the kiosk, pay digitally, and be on their way.
Self-service kiosks provide numerous benefits to the food and beverage industry. Below are just some of the benefits that self-order kiosks can provide.
Self-service kiosks allow restaurants to serve more customers in less time. They enable restaurants to provide service both at the counter, and at the kiosk. This increases the restaurant’s capacity to receive orders, generally helping to increase revenue while making the experience more efficient for customers.
Kiosks provide an opportunity to present a wider variety of promotions at one time. Kiosks also automate the process, ensuring that customers are always presented with an offer, and when loyalty programs are connected to their accounts, those offers can be tailored to their preferences. This makes it more likely that the offer will be accepted.
Kiosks reduce overhead from labor and are generally very efficient once up and running.
Serving customers in a timely, efficient, and accurate manner leads to greater customer satisfaction and a higher return rate. Kiosks can also be customized in ways that make ordering easier for those who may otherwise have barriers, such as hearing difficulty. This is also true for those who do not speak the local language or do not speak it well; kiosks can provide menus and instructions in multiple languages.
Finding the right kiosk manufacturer can be a time-consuming process. The first step is to find a manufacturer that understands the needs of your customer. REDYREF is a kiosk and digital signage manufacturing leader and one of the most trusted names in the industry. Our goal is to help you design or select the perfect kiosk for its intended purpose, one that will stand the test of time.
Self-service kiosks provide a valuable asset to any food service business. They improve revenue, customer service, and efficiency. But most importantly, they offer peace of mind, ensuring that all customers feel comfortable purchasing the goods and services they want, exactly the way they want them.