Restaurant Kiosk Technology Trends Spotted at The NRA Show 2018
With another successful year at the National Restaurant Association Show under our belts (our 13th!), we gathered the most talked about technology trends from the show to share – just in case you missed it…
1. Third-party delivery replacement
Restaurant operators have come across many issues with third-party delivery companies: loss of brand value, high commission cost, data usage, etc. That’s why companies like ShiftPixystood out this year as a self-delivery option that allows clients to use their own employees to make deliveries.
2. The Touchscreen Drive-Thru
Self-order isn’t limited to the indoor variety: meet the self-order drive-thru. The Touchscreen Drive-Thru introduces huge operational efficiencies, allowing chains to redirect labor full-tilt towards fulfillment. Not to mention, the technology has been refined over the course of a decade: “NEXTEP SYSTEMS displayed its fifth generation, drive-thru self-order kiosk, which automatically adjusts the center of the touchscreen to the height of the customer in their car. The touchscreen adjusts as soon as the customer touches it. The system also automatically adjusts the brightness of the touchscreen to the level of outdoor light. Additionally, the kiosk includes a built-in air conditioning unit.”
3. Food at faster speeds
It was all about speed in terms of fulfillment this year. Devices that prepare food in seconds like the Antunes JS-1000 Steamer, which can make scrambled eggs in 12 seconds, gave operators something exciting to look forward to: less wait time for customers.
Self-order menus with endless custom options are giving customers the control they crave. Whether because of dietary restrictions or particular preferences, guests are able to seamlessly create the perfect, customized meal in a few taps with NEXTEP kiosks. This year, it was clearer than ever that self-order design matters. Many POS companies jumped at the chance to say they could offer self-order, but very few were able to execute kiosk software that looks beautiful, answers guests’ questions before they even have to ask, and works seamlessly with the rest of the operation.
5. Going digital for streamlined operations
Digitally-enhanced self-service has taken over not just as a way to order, but in every aspect of the restaurant experience. The Coca-Cola Freestyle 9100, for example, was debuted this year with new features that create an interactive experience for users. Users can download the Freestyle mobile app, connect to the machine via Bluetooth, and pour their own beverage mix from their phone.
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Craig is a longtime writer of technical stories and documentation for many companies. He has 25 years of experience in the industry |