5 Ways They Are ChangingWhat was once the stuff of science fiction, self-ordering kiosks are taking the food & beverage industry by storm.
The world’s largest fast-food chains are in on the secret too. McDonald’s branches worldwide have begun adding the self service kiosk in place of cashiers. Other fast-casual chains are following suit. KFC has announced plans to install over 5,000 kiosks in its restaurants worldwide. Meanwhile, Taco Bell is floating an entire overhaul of its domestic system for self-service technology.
Some restaurants were initially unsure of adopting this technology despite the self-service craze. Self-service kiosks were perceived as an expensive undertaking. Moreover, the lack of human interaction has impersonalised the customer service experience.
But, with a catastrophic global event like COVID-19, the F&B industry has had to rethink its options. A vast majority of restaurants and food hubs gradually understood the advantages of the self-ordering service. What was once thought to be a hefty investment has now transformed into a cost-effective solution.
Improved customer experience and convenience aren’t the only two positives of the self-service model. These kiosks have also allowed restaurants to:
- Limit waiting times
- Improve order accuracy
- Exponentially increase revenue.
What restaurant wouldn’t dream of having all of these?
What Is A Self-Ordering Or Self Service Kiosk?
We get it. Not everyone in the industry would be too thrilled about the change. Those who prefer to do things the traditional way might not yet warm up to self-service stations. But let’s dive a little deeper into what this technology is. Who knows? It might just change the minds of even those who are dead set in the old ways.
As the name suggests, a self-service kiosk allows customers to order and pay for food by themselves. Traditionally, customers would have to wait in line before a cashier would accommodate them. But a self-service kiosk eliminates all these extra steps. Instead, a guest walks up to the kiosk, places their order, pays for the order, and then waits until the food gets to them.
Customers can operate self-service kiosks via a touchscreen input and an intuitive interface. Even the most technologically challenged customers can place an order in mere seconds.
The kiosk displays the restaurant’s entire menu selection on the screen. The machine guides the customer throughout the whole ordering process, from creating their order to payment, and pickup. The device will also suggest other additional menu items that the customer might be interested in. These could range from discounted food bundles to limited edition or new menu items.
Self-service kiosks are integrated with kitchen display systems (or KDS) through cloud-based POS technology. This allows the machine to transmit each order to the kitchen. They will receive an alert or notification once their order is complete. If customers made errors on their orders, they could simply return to the kiosk and make changes.
What Are The Benefits Of Self-Ordering Kiosks?
Many restaurants had already used self-service machines at the height of the pandemic. Electronic kiosks have solved the problem of going contactless. They limit human interaction and speed up the ordering process.
These are just some of the benefits of implementing self-service technology (SST) for your restaurant. Let’s take a closer look.
1. Contactless Technology
Self-service kiosks have offered businesses and their customers the option of going contactless. The term “contactless” became a buzzword as global health organisations emphasised its importance. Contactless transactions have significantly reduced the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Similarly, self-service kiosks have made it safer for customers to receive a product or service. They don’t have to interact with another person just to get what they want. Also, the kiosks are safe to use. Restaurants make sure to sanitise a machine before a customer uses it.
2. Better Customer Experience
Customers don’t like being badgered by sales representatives. It’s off-putting and could even make them walk away from an establishment. Thankfully, the probability of this happening in a restaurant with SST is nil.
People like buying and doing things for themselves. Especially when it comes to food, they know what they want. Self-service kiosks may be the missing link in the customer satisfaction chain. Orders are processed much faster, and errors are eliminated. Customers also have the chance to accurately review their order before confirming. The result? Happier and more satisfied customers. They’re less stressed about misplaced orders and irate interactions with customer service personnel.
3. Give Better Quality Service
Restaurants with limited manpower will benefit greatly from a self-ordering system. A machine doing most of the legwork doesn’t mean that human employees will go out of work. Instead, they’ve freed up more time for themselves. They can divert their attention toward core functions and, in turn, increase their productivity.
4. Faster Processes
Humans prefer instant gratification over slow, unreliable manual systems. The faster they can receive a product, the happier they’ll be. And, with an automated system taking care of most of the work, the time it takes to process sales is almost halved.
Self-ordering kiosks speed up routine procedures, effectively reducing delays and long queues. This is good news for your business. It means you’re finalising more transactions in a shorter period.
5. Change Customer Spending Habits
An optimised self-service kiosk will feature product images of each menu item offered by the restaurant. Visual cues can drastically change customers’ spending habits for the better.
For example, an image of a juicy beef burger paired with golden-fried chips will entice a customer to order it. The machine compels them to add more items to the final order as they browse different food images.
The secret? Self-service kiosks tend to be better at upselling than service staff. The latter may be trained to upsell. But restaurants are fast-paced, leaving very little time for the staff to do anything other than making sure customer orders are complete.
Conclusion
Are you trying to figure out if a self-ordering kiosk is a good investment for your business? Conducting a SWOT analysis for your restaurant may help you understand if you need SST. In addition, use this article as a guiding star to make a decision. Self-service kiosks are the future. They have dramatically transformed how those in the F&B industry cater to their customers. Unlike the seasonal Hokkaido Salmon Burger offered by your local McDonald’s joint, self-service technology is here to stay.
Ready to try out self-ordering kiosks? NinjaOS offers the most integrated POS and automated ordering system for your business. Our mobile kiosk is a fast and affordable solution for modern F&B brands and established chains. Click here to request a demo now!
At NinjaOS, we make it easy for entrepreneurs to customise their online restaurant ordering system, generate huge profits, save time, and expand their customer base. Our F&B solutions in Singapore are unmatched, with zero commissions and a guaranteed return on investment.
Frequently Asked Questions About
Self-Ordering Kiosks
Where Are Self-Service Kiosks Used?
Self-service kiosks are popular across the F&B industry and in other sectors. Airports, banking, casinos, and hospitality have begun automating with self-service technology.
Why Do I Need A Self-Service Kiosk?
A self-service kiosk is a key to reaping huge profits, improving customer and brand loyalty, and customer satisfaction. Electronic kiosks are a cost-effective option for sales-oriented businesses.
How Does A Business Value From Self-Service Kiosks?
With faster turnaround times and satisfied customers, businesses can get better conversion rates and increased sales. Business owners may also use self-service kiosks to market or advertise other products for upselling purposes.
How Much Does A Self-Service Kiosk Cost?
Self-service kiosk packages may range from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on the software and hardware.
For more information, you may get in touch with us at NinjaOS. We’d be happy to help you out with a baseline figure.
*NinjaOS is a product of Jankosoft
