Should You Add Self-Serve Kiosks to Your Restaurant?
Should You Add Self-Serve Kiosks to Your Restaurant?
Fast-casual restaurants are typically some blend of fast food and casual dining, such as Panera Bread or Chipotle. Customers are lured by the idea that the food is fresher, less processed, and more enticing than a couple patties slapped on a bun. The price points, while slightly higher than a fast-food joint, are still within reason. And the atmosphere is usually that of a place you’d want to hang out at for longer than the 3 minutes it takes to make your meal.
Today, we notice many fast-casual restaurants adding self-service POS technology in the form of kiosks to their businesses. Here, customers can place their order, customize ingredients, leave a tip, and pay for their meal—all in one place, and all without speaking to a human being. Kiosks can make upselling, customizing, and paying simple and easy. Sounds like a dream, right? As with any technology, it’s important to think about the possibilities and downsides of incorporating it into your restaurant. Read on to get an idea of whether self-serve kiosks are the best bet for your business.
Know Your Customer Base
Successful restaurants keep a close eye on the statistics of their clientele. Age plays a key role in whether your diners will be accepting of a new piece of technology. As you could have probably guessed, millennials tend to rely heavily on the availability of technology since it has always been a part of their life. Therefore, adding a self-serve kiosk would be welcome—even expected—for this age group. However, looking at generations who came up before the millennials, there might be a steep learning curve. Turning solely to self-service and away from human interaction might drive those patrons away.
Know Your Appeal
Why do people come to your restaurant? What’s your unique selling proposition? If folks dine with you because you offer quick service and uncomplicated menu options, maybe a kiosk is right for you. But if you are more upscale with higher price points, chances are your diners expect their experience to include a waiter. Same goes if diners are heading to your restaurant because it’s known for its friendly, comfortable atmosphere and kind staff: removing the need for that human interaction by putting the onus on the customer may not be the best business move.
Know Your Costs
Self-serve kiosks come with a price—and some recurring ones at that. Comprehensive cost lists are available online and prices range from modest to mucho, which is why it’s best to do your research before making the investment. Of course, there is the kiosk itself to consider, but additional costs vary depending on the screen type, size, mounting system, and software you choose. There are also installation fees, monthly support fees, and more to contend with. You might be looking at tens of thousands of dollars when all is said and done. Like we said, do your research first.
If you’re thinking about going digital and adding self-service kiosks to your restaurant, ARF Financial can help fund your investment. We’re staffed with loan experts who live and breathe all things hospitality. Together, we can work toward a loan that’s built on your terms—with low, fixed weekly payments and the most flexible terms on the market. Head to arffinancial.com for an offer that won’t affect your credit score.