Customers of QSR have completely changed their ways over the past 60 years. A trip to a fast-food restaurant was considered a luxury in the 1950s. Eating foods that were considered marvels in the post-war era added to the excitement of having meals ready to go.
Although there is a greater demand than ever for fast food these days, consumer expectations have drastically changed. Modern diners prioritize speed and convenience over the same opulent dining experience as they did in the past. They're all in if it means putting in their meal orders, which is why self-service kiosk usage is predicted to increase at a 6.4% annual rate by 2026.
Let's examine quick service restaurants and how it may impact your internal design. We'll go over six essential suggestions to get you the greatest kiosk for your eatery.
What is a Self-Service Restaurant Kiosk?
With the help of a self-service restaurant kiosk, patrons can place their orders and handle payment without having to deal with a cashier. The order is automatically sent to the kitchen by the kiosk, which also prints a receipt for the customer.
A self-service kiosk is a hardware device that is intended to be used in contact with customers. It is typically a standalone or integrated touchscreen. It supports several payment methods via card and contactless terminals as well as cash slots, and it boasts an interesting and user-friendly interface. The self-service kiosk's back-end software combines with your current point of sale (POS) to aggregate all orders and transactions for functions such as reporting.
6 Top Tips For Purchasing a Self-Service Restaurant Kiosk
Here’s what you should consider before, during, and after purchasing a self-service kiosk.
Evaluate Your Layout
The design of your restaurant will be greatly influenced by the kind of self-service restaurant kiosk you select.
Larger standalone units may require you to reorganize your interior spaces, but tabletop kiosks are considerably smaller and should be simpler to incorporate into your current design. The optimal location for kiosks is near the entrance where there will be a lot of foot traffic, but they shouldn't obstruct important walkways or emergency exits.
Imagine yourself in the position of the customer: can they stand at a kiosk without feeling crowded or uncomfortable? Is the location of the kiosk convenient for them?
Consider Important Features
Many features are available in quick-service restaurants, but you might not need them all. Customers will become confused and irritated if you overcrowd your kiosk's interface with elements that are irrelevant to them.
Since you are the expert on your customers, you should choose features that are appropriate for them, such as payment options, upsell and loyalty program compatibility, and menu prompts.
Identify Customer Needs
There's no denying that the self-service kiosk's interface needs to be user-friendly and visually appealing, regardless of the features you decide on.
You can gain a better understanding of what customers search for when using the kiosk by gathering customer data. For instance, you should respond appropriately and prominently advertise any promotion on the screen if the majority of customers select the meal deal option.
Must be Easy to Navigate
Although the design of the interface should be in line with your restaurant's aesthetic, the main focus should be on usability as not all customers will be highly tech-savvy.
Would you be able to use the self-service kiosk to complete your order and payment if you were a customer and didn't need assistance from staff nearby? The purpose of "self-service" is defeated otherwise. It must be as easy as possible for you.
Customize the Menu
Customers can choose menu items on eatOS self-service kiosks with flexibility and control, and your kiosk's interface should make this process simple for them.
Promotions can be made to take center stage on the screen using a combination of pop-ups, graphics, and eye-catching images to entice users to click on them. Making the most of upselling opportunities is crucial because it directly affects how you present the menu.
Ensure You Offer a Range of Payment Methods
Even with the popularity of contactless payments, some consumers still like to make their purchases with actual cash. Offering a variety of payment options through your self-service kiosk is the best way to accommodate all your customers' preferences.
You could go with a conventional card payment terminal that accepts cash ports, contactless payment methods, magstripe, and EMV chip options.
To Sum Up:
Self Service Kiosks offer a win-win situation for both quick-service restaurants and customers. It helps customers browse menus, customize their orders, and pay at their own pace by giving them full control over their dining experience. Schedule a product demonstration today and digitalize the ordering and payment process. This will reduce wait times and increase order accuracy, translating to increased sales and revenue for your restaurant.
