4 Misconceptions About Self-Service Kiosks Leading Restaurants Behind
A few years ago, when McDonald's rolled out its new "Create Your Taste" self-service ordering kiosks to 2,500 locations, it caught the attention of developers in fast-food chains, restaurants, and kiosks, and rightly so. When an industry giant makes a technological leap to enhance customer service and efficiency, it's certain that many other titans will follow suit. Since the introduction of kiosks, McDonald's estimated a 3% increase in market share and same-store sales in 2018. Despite such significant success, any delays in implementing self-service terminals are due to entrenched misconceptions or lack of understanding of the technology. Here are some common misconceptions about restaurant self-service terminal technology:
Customers may not be accustomed to using technology: Today's consumers are highly tech-savvy, valuing their time and not necessarily needing interpersonal interaction to experience excellent customer service. Touchscreen technology allows customers to order what they want and pay the way they want in record time, without queuing during lunch breaks. Orders processed at kiosks are almost foolproof, resulting in fewer errors, which equate to lower food costs. Another benefit is that research shows consumers tend to buy more when using self-service technology, as they feel no pressure or judgment for their purchases.
Self-service technology will lead to job loss:
On the contrary, self-service kiosks allow restaurants to maximize existing labor and reallocate labor to other areas, such as food preparation stations or table service. Remember, the design of self-service terminals is to expedite order speed and enhance customer experience, and this can only be achieved when enough staff are available to handle orders and serve customers.
Kiosks take up valuable space: Indeed, some freestanding consoles require a fair amount of space. If space is limited, compact solutions can be utilized. 15-inch high-resolution touchscreen units take up minimal footprint and are ideal for small businesses with limited space. Kiosks can be placed on countertops or mounted on walls.
Many self-service terminals are standalone units:
The market is flooded with new vendors rolling out autonomous models. These modules may not communicate with your POS or other devices, posing a challenge for restaurant operators seeking seamless, simplified operations, and accurate reporting. It's crucial to look for experienced developers who can integrate cloud-based POS technology, secure payments, KDS, and self-ordering systems. Having an integrated solution provider ensures consistent and accurate data across all sales channels and greatly simplifies your life. In addition to the obvious benefits of reducing queues, improving operational efficiency, and decreasing wait times, self-service kiosks also support impressive digital product catalogs and play an indispensable role in how restaurants communicate and share information with customers.
