In the modern business world, self-service kiosks are becoming an ever-more popular choice for entrepreneurs who want to enhance their customer-related services.
With many customers now willing to place orders and make purchases on their own, it’s becoming increasingly important for retailers and restaurant owners to have a way to process automatic orders and transactions smoothly. That’s where self-ordering kiosks come in.
If you don’t know much about self-service kiosk technology, don’t worry. This article will tell you everything you need to know about self-serve kiosks, including what they are, how they work, and how they could benefit your business.
A self-service kiosk is an interactive device placed in customer-facing businesses to provide a digital display of the products or services on offer. They often allow customers to order and pay without the help of a cashier or staff member.
Kiosks come in various shapes and sizes. You’ve probably encountered the large free-standing kiosks in fast-food restaurants like McDonald’s or Burger King, but these are by no means the only type of kiosk solution. The devices can also be small enough to be positioned on the countertop — and even be the size of a tablet.
Combining a self-ordering kiosk with a point-of-sale (POS) system is also possible. This is particularly popular in quick-service restaurants (QSRs) and fast-food chains, but it can also be helpful for anyone running a store or a market stall.
There are so many places where a customer might encounter a kiosk system. From restaurants and market stalls to airports and hotels, it’s becoming increasingly common for customers to interact with businesses using these self-service solutions.
One of the most popular places for a self-ordering kiosk is a restaurant. Restaurant kiosks can simplify the ordering process in QSRs, fast-food restaurants, and fast-casual restaurants. You may have seen them in large chain restaurants like Taco Bell or Panera.
Restaurant kiosks usually take the form of a touchscreen computer. The menu items show up on the screen, and customers can simply tap on what they want to order. Restaurant owners can customize the screen to show optional add-ons for each meal, and customers can use the kiosks to pay for their orders.
The devices then link to the restaurant’s kitchen display system so the chefs can see in real time as soon as an order has come through.
Kiosks are also pretty popular at grocery or convenience stores. You’ll often see self-checkout machines instead of staffed tills.
These kiosks tend to have a barcode scanner so that customers can scan through their own items. The machine will then tally up the total cost and move on to the payment processing part of the transaction. Many self-service kiosks have a credit card reader, but some can also take cash payments.
Kiosks in movie theaters allow customers to buy a ticket directly from a machine. The moviegoer will see a selection of movies playing on the day of their choice; they can then select the time they want and will have a choice of seat.
The customer will then add the tickets to their basket and pay, and the kiosk will print out their tickets for them.
Some kiosks in movie theaters also have the option to include an online ordering system for food and drinks. So you can order nachos or popcorn on the machine along with your ticket, then head over to a collection point to pick them up in time for your movie.
It’s also becoming common to see kiosks at airports. These usually take the form of self-check-in kiosks that allow travelers to beat the frequent long lines at airport check-in desks.
Many machines also have a scale to let passengers weigh their luggage. The device will then print out a luggage tag that users can attach before taking their bags to a drop-off point.
You can also find kiosks at hotels (for self-check-in), malls, or even outside in city centers. Large shopping malls often have wayfinding kiosks so that shoppers can search for the store they’re looking for and find the fastest route.
Nowadays, many types of self-service kiosks are available to the general public. And as the kiosk market continues to grow, customers should expect to use kiosk software more and more often in their daily lives.
From reduced wait times to lower staff costs, there are several benefits to self-service kiosks, both for customers and businesses. Whether you’re looking to improve your customer experience or searching for a way to cut down on your outgoing costs, a kiosk could be a good choice for your restaurant business.
Installing a kiosk means you can process orders more quickly without the need for additional staff. Since kiosks can function as POS systems and have various payment options available, your customers can place their own orders and ring themselves up, so you can have fewer staff members working at any given time.
If you decide to combine a staffed check-out or order processing point with self-ordering kiosks equipped with a POS system, you can process more orders in a shorter space of time. This will reduce the chance of long lines in your restaurant or store.
Shorter lines also mean you’re likely to get more customers through the door — nobody likes waiting in line, after all!
Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve all discovered just how important it can be to have contactlessPOS systems in place.
Self-service kiosks are a great way to reduce contact between customers and staff. They’re quick and easy to sanitize, and they can also make it easier for customers to maintain social distancing while inside your business establishment.
If you’re a business, self-service kiosks can also provide a fantastic opportunity to upsell your products. When customers add their food order to the digital basket, you can set up the software to suggest complementary products or add-ons that the customer might like.
This is a non-aggressive and straightforward method of upselling, and it could increase your bottom line.
Self-service kiosks also have the advantage of being fully customizable to meet the unique needs of a business.
Some self-service kiosks are even programmable to allow for time-sensitive transactions. These devices are an excellent way to make the public aware of new services and offer consumers discounts or special offers to increase spending.
Anyone who runs a restaurant will already know how irritating — and expensive — it can be when a customer says, “This isn’t what I ordered.”
With a kiosk system in place, you can reduce how often this happens, as your customers will be able to see on the screen what it is they’re ordering. Kiosks are a simple way to increase order accuracy and, thereby, reduce your restaurant’s food waste.
Studies have shown that many people are actually more comfortable using kiosks and are more inclined to purchase a product or service when using one.
Many restaurant-goers (especially people ordering in fast-food restaurants) can feel embarrassed to place a large order. But with a self-ordering device,customers feel more comfortable ordering as much as they like. This means you can satisfy your customers and increase your average check, as people are more likely to order more food.
There are also a few downsides to using self-service kiosks.
Some customers prefer a more personal experience when shopping or eating out, and kiosks can feel more detached. If this is likely to be an issue in your establishment, you could combine kiosks with staff. Kiosks are a great way to cut down on staff costs, but they don’t have to replace staff altogether.
Self-service machines can also have a considerable upfront cost, and there are some ongoing software costs that you’ll have to factor into your monthly or annual budget. Large kiosks are particularly expensive; they can cost up to $4,000.
However, smaller self-service kiosks can be integrated with a tablet, and many of them have no upfront fees. The monthly payments for this type of software are usually small, and some companies even offer a tiered payment system. This means there’s usually a solution that can suit any business, no matter how big or small.
If you decide to install a self-service kiosk in your business's location, there are certain things you need to consider. You'll need to think about the different features available and the kind of environment that would be the best for your business.
You should also consider the layout and dimensions of the kiosk and how they fit in with your current space. Of course, you’ll also need to ensure that the kiosk will be safe and secure for customers. Finally, the kiosk should be positioned in the most suitable location so that customers can easily find and access it.
Self-service kiosks are user-friendly interactive devices that give customers in various establishments the opportunity to place, and sometimes to pay for, their own orders. You’ll encounter them everywhere, from grocery stores and fast-food restaurants to movie theaters and airports.
There are several benefits to kiosks, including reduced queues, improved customer service, and lower costs for businesses. But large, free-standing kiosks can be expensive.
If you’re looking for an affordable kiosk solution for your business, sign up for KioskBuddy and turn your tablet into a touchscreen self-ordering system.