How Kiosks simplify the restaurant transaction process

How kiosks simplify the restaurant transaction process

The days of spending significant amounts of time standing around to place, pay and receive a food order are largely behind us. Kiosks have simplified the entire transaction process in restaurants by streamlining the ordering and payment processes, improving accuracy and enhancing customer convenience.

Here’s how:

Self-service ordering
Kiosks allow customers to place their orders directly, bypassing the need for interaction with staff. This eliminates wait times at counters and ensures a smoother flow, especially during busy hours. Customers can browse menus at their own pace, customize their orders and review options without feeling rushed.

Improved order accuracy
With kiosks, customers input their orders themselves, minimizing errors caused by miscommunication. Clear visuals and customizable options ensure that preferences, such as ingredient modifications or dietary needs, are accurately recorded.

Faster payment processing
Kiosks integrate various payment methods, including credit/debit cards, mobile wallets and contactless payments. This speeds up transactions by eliminating the need to handle cash or wait for staff to process payments manually. Customers can complete their orders and payments in one seamless process.

Reduced lines and wait times
By decentralizing the ordering process, kiosks prevent bottlenecks at the counter. Multiple kiosks can serve more customers simultaneously, leading to shorter lines and quicker service.

Upselling opportunities
Kiosks are programmed to suggest add-ons, combos or promotions during the ordering process. These prompts are presented in a non-intrusive way, increasing the likelihood of upselling without pressuring the customer.

Enhanced efficiency for staff
With kiosks handling orders and payments, staff can focus on preparing food and delivering excellent customer service. This division of tasks leads to a more efficient operation.

Data collection and insights
Kiosks capture valuable data on customer preferences, order trends and popular items. Restaurants can use this information to refine menus, optimize inventory and tailor marketing efforts.

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How Kiosks impact customer experience

3 ways kiosks enhance customer experience

Self-service kiosks have revolutionized the customer experience in restaurants through convenience, accessibility and engagement while meeting the demands of today’s fast-paced world. The devices allow consumers to manage tasks independently, reducing their reliance on staff and streamlining processes across the restaurant industry

Enabling quick transactions for placing food orders and making payments, kiosks drastically reduce wait times, ensuring a more efficient and satisfying experience

Convenience is a cornerstone of self-service kiosks. Customers value the ability to complete transactions quickly and on their own terms, avoiding long lines or delays. Kiosks are designed to handle high volumes of users simultaneously, making them ideal for environments with heavy foot traffic. They also allow businesses to operate more efficiently, reallocating staff to focus on more personalized and complex customer needs

Accessibility represents another significant advantage of self-service kiosks. Modern designs include features such as large touchscreens, multilingual interfaces and adjustable settings for height and readability, making them usable for a diverse range of customers, including those with disabilities. The integration of assistive technologies, such as voice prompts and screen readers, ensures inclusivity and equal access

Kiosks also enhance engagement through personalized interactions. By leveraging data and algorithms, kiosks can recommend products, services or upgrades tailored to individual preferences. That fosters a sense of connection between the customer and the business. Additionally, the interactive nature of kiosks encourages exploration, empowering users to browse options at their own pace and make informed decisions

Through their ability to combine speed, inclusivity and tailored experiences, self-service kiosks have become indispensable tools for businesses aiming to elevate customer satisfaction and loyalty

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7 ways kiosks make restaurants more efficient

7 ways kiosks make restaurants more efficient, profitable

Kiosks continue to transform restaurants, helping consumers more quickly order, pay for and receive their food and helping dining operations become more efficient and accurate.

The combination is increasing revenue and driving profitability across the industry. Here are seven ways that’s being achieved:

Self-service capabilities
Kiosks allow customers to perform tasks independently, such as placing orders, checking in or making payments. This reduces reliance on staff, enabling faster processing of individual tasks.

Parallel processing
With multiple kiosks available, many customers can be served simultaneously, effectively reducing wait times compared to a single staffed counter.

Simplified transactions
Kiosks often use intuitive interfaces that guide users through the process step-by-step, reducing decision-making time and improving accuracy.

Reduced human error
By automating data input (e.g., for orders or check-ins), kiosks minimize mistakes that might require additional time to correct.

Enhanced queue management
In some cases, kiosks manage virtual queues by assigning customers a number or order status, allowing them to wait comfortably elsewhere rather than forming physical lines.

Integrated payment systems
Payment kiosks streamline transactions by accepting a variety of payment methods, speeding up the checkout process.

Data and analytics
Businesses can analyze kiosk usage patterns to optimize staffing and improve overall flow, further reducing congestion during peak times.

By offering an efficient, self-paced solution for customers, kiosks help minimize bottlenecks and enhance overall service capacity.

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Overcoming challenges and concerns with kiosks

Overcoming challenges and concerns with kiosks

Kiosks have become mainstays in restaurants, offering convenience and efficiency. Despite their numerous benefits, the units can still pose some challenges and concerns.

Among them: technical issues, customer hesitation, hygiene concerns and the need to properly train staff. Addressing these obstacles is key to unlocking the full potential of the technology.

“In the restaurant field, you have to be nimble and adapt quickly,” said Jegil Dugger, founder and CEO of kiosk manufacturer Pye. “Kiosks have been game-changers. They have helped us become more efficient, and, without them, restaurants would struggle to have an adequate number of workers at any given time.”

Resolving technical issues
Technical issues are among the most common challenges associated with kiosks. These range from hardware malfunctions, such as screen freezes or payment processing failures, to software bugs that can disrupt user experiences. To overcome these issues, businesses must prioritize the following strategies:

1. Routine maintenance and monitoring: Regular maintenance schedules ensure hardware components, such as touchscreens and card readers, remain functional. Implementing remote monitoring tools can help identify issues before they escalate, allowing businesses to address problems proactively.
2. Robust software development: Investing in high-quality, user-friendly software is critical. This includes thorough testing during development to identify and fix bugs, as well as regular updates to enhance functionality and security.
3. Redundancy systems: To minimize downtime, businesses can implement backup systems. For instance, kiosks can include manual override options or offline modes to continue operations even during network outages.

Addressing customer hesitation
Despite the convenience kiosks offer, some customers – albeit an ever-shrinking number – remain hesitant to use them. The hesitation may stem from unfamiliarity with the technology, a preference for human interaction or concerns about data privacy. Overcoming these barriers involves targeted efforts:

1. User-centric design: Regular maintenance schedules ensure hardware components, such as touchscreens and card readers, remain functional. Implementing remote monitoring tools can help identify issues before they escalate, allowing businesses to address problems proactively.
2. Educating customers: Investing in high-quality, user-friendly software is critical. This includes thorough testing during development to identify and fix bugs, as well as regular updates to enhance functionality and security.
3. Building trust: Addressing privacy concerns is essential. Displaying clear policies about data collection and storage, along with visible security measures such as encrypted payment options, can help reassure customers.

Managing hygiene concerns
The COVID-19 pandemic heightened awareness of hygiene in public spaces, and kiosks, often touched by multiple users, were no exception. Addressing hygiene concerns is crucial for maintaining customer trust and ensuring safe use of these devices.

1. Regular cleaning protocols: Establishing a schedule for cleaning and disinfecting kiosks is vital. Using antimicrobial screen coatings can provide an added layer of protection.
2. Touchless solutions: Advances in technology enable touchless interactions, such as voice commands, facial recognition, or mobile app integration. These options reduce the need for physical contact, making kiosks more appealing to hygiene-conscious customers.
3. Customer communication: Transparency about cleaning practices can help alleviate concerns. Signage indicating when a kiosk was last sanitized can provide reassurance.

Training staff effectively
Although kiosks are designed to automate certain processes, they cannot entirely replace human involvement. Staff play a crucial role in ensuring the successful integration and operation of kiosk systems. Key aspects of staff training include:

1. Technical support knowledge: Employees should understand how kiosks operate and be trained to troubleshoot basic issues. This empowers them to assist customers and resolve minor problems quickly.
2. Customer service skills: Staff should be equipped to help customers navigate kiosks, particularly those who are unfamiliar with the technology. Encouraging a positive, patient attitude can improve user experiences and foster greater acceptance of kiosks.
3. Feedback collection: Employees can serve as a valuable resource for gathering customer feedback about kiosk usage. Training them to relay this information to management enables continuous improvement of the system.

Conclusion
Kiosks have the potential to revolutionize the way businesses interact with their customers, offering efficiency and convenience that benefit both. Realizing these advantages requires addressing common challenges, including technical issues, customer hesitation, hygiene concerns and the need for proper staff training.

By adopting proactive strategies in these areas, businesses can overcome barriers to kiosk adoption and enhance the overall user experience. In doing so, they can position themselves as leaders in innovation while meeting the evolving expectations of their customers.

“Businesses always are looking for something that will give them an edge,” Dugger said. “With the unprecedented challenges today in the food and service industries, there’s perhaps no better time to have kiosks as part of the day-to-day operation than now.”

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How Kiosks integrate with mobile apps

Integrating kiosks with mobile apps to generate more revenue

In the hotly competitive self-service world, kiosks and mobile apps continue to elbow each other for dominance in the marketplace as consumers seek more convenience and restaurants work to enhance the dining experience.

“Diners have long gravitated to technology that is easy to use and meshes seamlessly with their daily lives,” said Jegil Dugger, founder and CEO of leading technology firm Pye. “That’s what kiosks in restaurants have done. The strides that these devices have made in recent years – and will continue to make – will only further bolster their position in people’s eyes.”

Kiosks and apps are major money makers. Revenue generated by kiosks in North America was forecasted to jump a 6.1 percent compound annual growth rate to $4.4 billion by the end of 2024, according to research firm Transparency Market Research (TMR). The United States has led the growth, thanks to the presence of established deployers, accounting for a revenue share of close to 90 percent in the North America kiosk market in 2015.

Self-service kiosks and mobile apps can integrate seamlessly to provide a cohesive and user-friendly experience. Here’s how:

1. User authentication and account syncing

  •  Mobile app login on kiosks: Users can log in to a self-service kiosk using their mobile app credentials via QR codes, near-field communication (NFC) or manually entering details. This allows the kiosk to retrieve the user’s preferences and account information.
  • Single sign-on (SSO): If a user is logged into a mobile app, they can transfer their session to a nearby kiosk without needing to reauthenticate.

2. QR code and NFC pairing

  •  Order continuity: Users can initiate an order on their mobile app, then scan a QR code on the kiosk to continue or finalize the process.
  • Payment processing: Some kiosks support mobile wallet payments (like Apple Pay, Google Pay) or allow users to confirm payments via their app.

3. Data sharing for personalization

  • User preferences: The kiosk pulls user-specific settings, such as past orders, preferences or loyalty rewards, directly from the mobile app.
  • Personalized recommendations: Data from the app enhances kiosk recommendations, ensuring they align with user history.

4. Seamless transactions

  •  Order management: After placing an order on the app, users can pick up items using the kiosk. For example:
  •   Check-in: Users check in at the kiosk for pre-orders or pickup using a unique code or by proximity detection.
  • Real-time updates: Changes made on the app (e.g., modifying an order) are reflected at the kiosk instantly.

5. Integrated loyalty programs

  •  Points and rewards: Kiosks and apps share loyalty program data. For instance, users earn points for kiosk orders that are instantly visible in the app.
  •  Coupons and offers: Mobile apps can push digital coupons to kiosks for redemption.

  6. Remote queue and reservation management

  • Queue status: Users can use the mobile app to join a queue or book a service, and the kiosk displays the current status or allows users to check in. 
  • Time savings: Integration eliminates the need for manual kiosk interactions if tasks can be pre-configured on the app.

  7. Push notifications and updates

  • Transaction receipts: Once a transaction is completed on the kiosk, a receipt or order confirmation is sent directly to the app.
  • Real-time alerts: Apps notify users about order status, estimated wait times or pickup readiness.

“In a short time, kiosks have proven immensely valuable to businesses and consumers alike,” Dugger said. “These devices have revolutionized the way many businesses that deploy them operate – restaurants, retailers, etc.

“When kiosks first came along, there was a learning curve for users. It took them some time to figure them out. As time has gone on, kiosks are everywhere. Exposure has helped people understand the technology and become more comfortable with it. Kiosks no longer are seen as potential obstacles, but rather as necessities.”

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Dunkin’ case study

The situation

As a new Dunkin’ was being built at the Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment Center in East Rutherford, N.J., managers sought ways to speed up lines, prevent crowds from building in the relatively small location and get customers their orders more quickly. They also wanted a tool that could do all that without chewing up valuable real estate in the lobby’s interior.

“We thought that using kiosks would make for faster service,” said Jennifer Jordan, director of food and beverage for the Meadowlands.

They turned to self-service kiosks from Pye, with an aggressive 90-day deadline to custom-design, integrate the devices with Dunkin’s point of sale system, train staff and install devices in time for the center’s grand opening.

 Jordan said that the kiosk manufacturer’s devices stood out for their functionality and ability to integrate smoothly with the restaurant’s operational platforms. And they were aesthetically pleasing as well.

The solution

Dunkin’ installed four of Pye’s Beignet model kiosks in its lobby. Beignet is a compact space-saving wall mount device that combines versatility with convenience, allowing deployers to position the unit wherever customers may be – at a checkout counter or lingering in a lobby.

Beignet promotes high consumer engagement with an inviting curved high-resolution touchscreen design. The versatile unit creates features LED lighting capable of displaying in a variety of colors to match a business’s brand and style. Beignet provides opportunities for businesses lacking counter or floor space to enhance their self-service capabilities.

Beignet incorporates many of the features that have made Pye’s roster of kiosks standouts in the self-service industry.

The backlit face gives the display a unique glow that also provides for improved user visual quality and an easy-to-use interface. It is available in an array of bright colors.

Additionally, the enclosure features embedded LED lights that can also change colors. For Dunkin’, the devices’ permitter lights shine in the company’s familiar pink and orange hues.

“The curved design and lighting are intentional,” said Jegil Dugger, founder and CEO of Pye. “We want to make it hard for someone to walk by without interacting.”

Beignet’s Android-based software is customizable, meaning users across varied businesses can tailor the interface to their needs. For example, a restaurant not only can display its menu on the screen, but also can allow customers to configure meals and products to their liking.

The results

To meet Dunkin’s timeline, Pye prepared a site survey and scheduled a technician to travel from Pye’s Alabama headquarters to New Jersey to complete installation of the stylish wall-mount kiosks. The devices are proving to be the perfect solution for integrating technology and efficiency into the cafe.

With many customers used to interacting with an employee at an anchored register, it took some time to drive customers to the kiosks and away from the counters to place orders and make payments. Eventually, they accepted the self-service ordering process and now gravitate to it.

Customers have expressed their satisfaction, too, since their efforts and wait times are minimal, Jordan said.

“They would go up to the counter (before) and then have to wait on the lines,” she said. Kiosks “are a little bit new for them, but this is faster.”

Another plus, Jordan said, was the communication with Pye. She said the store was in constant contact with company representatives regarding the installation timeline, understanding how to use and get most of the units and even with putting in a temporary device till the permanent kiosks arrived.

With everything in place, what Dunkin’ has found is that not only do lines flow smoothly, but employees are also more productive in getting requests completed and “not stressing out” as they can focus on filling orders rather than taking them at a front counter. ANY IDEA HOW THAT POTENTIALLY HAS INCREASED SALES COMPARED TO OTHER DUNKIN’S OF SIMILAR SIZE, SINCE THIS IS A NEW STORE?

“Our kiosks are intended to enhance the customer experience,” Dugger said. “For businesses, they’re always looking for something that will give them an edge, especially as they face myriad daily challenges.

“The availability of self-service options these days is an expectation of consumerism worldwide. We spend considerable time studying not just how people interact with businesses, but how they want to interact with businesses. Development of kiosks stem from their ever-changing behaviors and how we anticipate those habits will evolve over time.”

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Dummy News Two

The situation

As a new Dunkin’ was being built at the Meadowlands Racing and Entertainment Center in East Rutherford, N.J., managers sought ways to speed up lines, prevent crowds from building in the relatively small location and get customers their orders more quickly. They also wanted a tool that could do all that without chewing up valuable real estate in the lobby’s interior.

“We thought that using kiosks would make for faster service,” said Jennifer Jordan, director of food and beverage for the Meadowlands.

They turned to self-service kiosks from Pye, with an aggressive 90-day deadline to custom-design, integrate the devices with Dunkin’s point of sale system, train staff and install devices in time for the center’s grand opening. Jordan said that the kiosk manufacturer’s devices stood out for their functionality and ability to integrate smoothly with the restaurant’s operational platforms. And they were aesthetically pleasing as well.

The solution

Dunkin’ installed four of Pye’s Beignet model kiosks in its lobby. Beignet is a compact space-saving wall mount device that combines versatility with convenience, allowing deployers to position the unit wherever customers may be – at a checkout counter or lingering in a lobby.

Beignet promotes high consumer engagement with an inviting curved high-resolution touchscreen design. The versatile unit creates features LED lighting capable of displaying in a variety of colors to match a business’s brand and style. Beignet provides opportunities for businesses lacking counter or floor space to enhance their self-service capabilities.

Beignet incorporates many of the features that have made Pye’s roster of kiosks standouts in the self-service industry.
The backlit face gives the display a unique glow that also provides for improved user visual quality and an easy-to-use interface. It is available in an array of bright colors.
Additionally, the enclosure features embedded LED lights that can also change colors. For Dunkin’, the devices’ permitter lights shine in the company’s familiar pink and orange hues.
“The curved design and lighting are intentional,” said Jegil Dugger, founder and CEO of Pye. “We want to make it hard for someone to walk by without interacting.”
Beignet’s Android-based software is customizable, meaning users across varied businesses can tailor the interface to their needs. For example, a restaurant not only can display its menu on the screen, but also can allow customers to configure meals and products to their liking.

The results

To meet Dunkin’s timeline, Pye prepared a site survey and scheduled a technician to travel from Pye’s Alabama headquarters to New Jersey to complete installation of the stylish wall-mount kiosks. The devices are proving to be the perfect solution for integrating technology and efficiency into the cafe.
With many customers used to interacting with an employee at an anchored register, it took some time to drive customers to the kiosks and away from the counters to place orders and make payments. Eventually, they accepted the self-service ordering process and now gravitate to it.
Customers have expressed their satisfaction, too, since their efforts and wait times are minimal, Jordan said.
“They would go up to the counter (before) and then have to wait on the lines,” she said. Kiosks “are a little bit new for them, but this is faster.” “They would go up to the counter (before) and then have to wait on the lines,” she said. Kiosks “are a little bit new for them, but this is faster.”
Another plus, Jordan said, was the communication with Pye. She said the store was in constant contact with company representatives regarding the installation timeline, understanding how to use and get most of the units and even with putting in a temporary device till the permanent kiosks arrived

With everything in place, what Dunkin’ has found is that not only do lines flow smoothly, but employees are also more productive in getting requests completed and “not stressing out” as they can focus on filling orders rather than taking them at a front counter. ANY IDEA HOW THAT POTENTIALLY HAS INCREASED SALES COMPARED TO OTHER DUNKIN’S OF SIMILAR SIZE, SINCE THIS IS A NEW STORE?

“Our kiosks are intended to enhance the customer experience,” Dugger said. “For businesses, they’re always looking for something that will give them an edge, especially as they face myriad daily challenges.
“The availability of self-service options these days is an expectation of consumerism worldwide. We spend considerable time studying not just how people interact with businesses, but how they want to interact with businesses. Development of kiosks stem from their ever-changing behaviors and how we anticipate those habits will evolve over time.”

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Dummy News One

Dummy News

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.

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Benefits of Pye kiosks

Benefits of Pye kiosks

Why do restaurants choose Pye? It’s simple.

Pye helps restaurants generate more revenue and profit, smooth their operations by making labor more efficient, reduce theft and enhance the consumer experience in such a way that keeps them coming back.

What separates Pye from the competition is its expertise, proven strategies targeted to meet a restaurant’s specific needs and, of course, its diverse product lineup.

• Stylish, Solid Hardware: Pye’s self-ordering devices center around reliability, durability and versatility.
• Innovative Solutions: Pye’s intuitive, proprietary software platform enables businesses to easily configure device displays as they want.
• Track Record Of Success: Pye has assisted dozens of restaurants and food service operations around the world. The company understands the pitfalls restaurants face every day.

Increase Customer Traffic
Customer flow is largely affected by poor employee traffic flow. Pye technology allows customers to input orders themselves and pay on demand. This way, restaurant staff can focus on preparing and delivering orders, catering to customers and eliminate wasted time going back and forth.

Prevent Loss
Pye systems reduce theft by 90%. The company’s self-ordering devices accept secure payment methods via a PCI-compliant EMV credit card system, as well as accept secure counterfeit-proof cash payments.

Capitalize On Sales Initiatives
Pye’s automated ordering technology is easily programmed to upsell and cross-sell items based on operators’ preferences, which can boost a restaurant’s bottom line by more than 40%. Pye’s e-commerce-designed software ensures opportunities aren’t lost and average ticket sizes balloon by more than 20%.

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Kiosk versatility make devices key component of ever-evolving restaurant industry

Kiosk versatility make devices key component of ever-evolving restaurant industry

The term “kiosk” tends to evoke thoughts of a permanently anchored station. Customers must go to the machine to place orders and make payments.

Like most technology, kiosks are ever-evolving and have adapted to the ever-changing marketplace and increasing consumer demands for ease of use and convenience. Kiosks today take many different shapes and forms, becoming more significantly more versatile than traditional models.

Leading technology company Pye has recognized the need for self-ordering solutions to cater to consumers, not the other way around. That’s why its suite of kiosks features different sizes and capabilities.

In addition to free-standing units, the company has developed devices that can sit atop a counter or table or even be handheld, allowing customers to place orders and complete transactions anywhere inside and outside a restaurant.

The versatility of Pye’s self-ordering kiosks has opened up new avenues for revenue generation for businesses that might not otherwise have seen kiosks as key pieces of their operations strategies.

“It’s critical in the design of new technology to not only pay attention to what makes the dining experience top-notch, but also try to anticipate what will keep the experience at a high level and keep those customers coming back to your business,” said Jegil Dugger, Pye CEO and founder. “The ability to use kiosks in almost every consumer situation positions a business to be agile, which in turn positions them to be more successful.”

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