With the rise of AI-powered tools and the speed at which technology is pushing multiple industries forward, it’s no surprise how much the food and beverage space is benefiting from these latest advancements.
Self ordering kiosks aren’t necessarily new, but they used to be affordable only to big, well-established franchises like McDonald’s. Presently, restaurant kiosk systems have adapted to run even on consumer tech products such as the iPad, so even smaller establishments can benefit from their use.
A self service kiosk for restaurants can be a real game changer as it improves efficiency, order accuracy, and customer experience by reducing long service queues all with one device.
In this blog, we’ll be sharing some emerging trends as well as implementation tips for restaurant self-ordering kiosk systems.
Trend #1: Technology adaptation is rising among restaurants
In the 2024 State of the Restaurant study conducted by the National Restaurant Association, 76% of restaurant owners believed that adopting technology gave them a competitive advantage. Additionally, 48% of respondents said they invested in technology to improve the customer experience, while a further 60% have plans to invest in 2024.
It’s clear that the food industry is headed towards a more tech-driven era as restaurant owners clamor to find ways to improve their service and customer experience. The challenge now, for restaurants who have been operating with a more traditional, staff-centric approach, is in implementing a self ordering kiosk and integrating it to existing processes.
Tip: Pick the best self ordering kiosk system for your specific setup
Not all self-ordering kiosk systems are a one-size-fits-all. This is why as a restaurant owner, you need to make sure that your operation’s specific needs such as scalability, customization options, and compatibility with your existing point of sale (POS) system are all taken into account when selecting your own self-ordering kiosk.
- Clearly outline all of your requirements in a scoping document and share them with potential vendors so they can demonstrate how their product’s capabilities align with your restaurant’s needs.
- Get staff insight before selecting a self-ordering kiosk to ensure its alignment with your operational needs. Additionally, it allows you to get their buy-in which can lead to a smoother implementation later on.
- Aside from the information you collect during vendor pitches, make sure to do your own independent research on their track record and customer reviews to ensure that you’re dealing with reputable vendors who will ultimately deliver.
Trend #2: Increased operational efficiency through digitalization of processes
Digital tools like online ordering platforms, restaurant kiosk systems, and cloud POS systems have been helping restaurants boost their overall efficiency by allowing them to delegate manual and repetitive tasks to machines, and sometimes even the customers themselves. Additionally, the reduced need for manual tasks means your staff have more time providing hands-on customer service where the human element is most needed.
Tip: Create a balance between digital and staff-centric processes
While some manual processes are certainly better-handled by digital tools e.g., order-taking, payments, order status updates, creating a clear vision about how staff and technology can work together is essential for a smooth transition towards a hybrid process. Make sure you communicate with your staff that the human element of customer service remains crucial to your success, especially in areas of food preparation, and live customer assistance.
Trend #3: Self ordering kiosks as data collection platforms
As with any operation, collecting data is crucial to identifying your company’s strengths and growth opportunities. Luckily, restaurant kiosks systems can now be fully-integrated into your cloud POS system, which means you’re constantly gathering useful information about customer behaviors, all while you focus on providing the best live customer service to your patrons.
Tip: Yield actionable insights from your data through the use of BI tools
Business intelligence (BI) tools are software applications which collect, analyze and present data in order to help business owners make informed decisions. In the context of restaurants, BI tools gather data from customer touchpoints such as self ordering kiosks, online ordering platforms, and walk-in orders, and then arrange this information into user-friendly reports e.g., charts for best-sellers, wastage trends, slow-moving products. Using these insights, restaurant operators can then make educated adjustments to improve the overall performance of their business.
The widespread adoption of tech-driven solutions in the restaurant industry indicates a shift in the industry’s landscape. More and more restaurant owners are adapting a hybrid setup that aims to maximize the capabilities of digital tools, as well as traditional staff-centric service to create the best customer experience possible.
If you’re ready to embrace the change, check out Sapaad Kiosk, a user-friendly, restaurant kiosk system that’s fully integrated into Sapaad’s all-in-one cloud POS solution. Improve your customer’s ordering experience through shorter wait times and faster speed of service, and boost your restaurant’s revenue with added efficiency.