Category Archives: A-Restaurant

Restaurant Technology

Restaurants today rely on a variety of technology solutions to enhance their operations and improve guest experiences. The majority these days are cloud-based, which comes with its positives and negatives. Here are some essential types of restaurant technology:

  • Touchscreen Point of Sale (POS) Terminals: Modern POS systems with intuitive interfaces allow efficient order-taking, payment processing, and tracking. Some even have guest-facing screens for a seamless experience
  • Self-Order Kiosks: These interactive kiosks enable guests to place orders directly, reducing wait times and streamlining the ordering process
  • Kitchen Display Screens: These screens display incoming orders in the kitchen, helping chefs manage preparation efficiently and ensuring timely service
  • Printers for Restaurant: Printers are essential for generating order tickets, receipts, and kitchen chits
  • Cash Drawers: Secure storage for cash transactions at the point of sale
  • Integrated Online Ordering Solutions: Seamless integration with online platforms for delivery and takeout orders 1.
    Payroll Solutions: Streamline payroll management for restaurant staff
  • Scheduling Software: Efficiently manage employee schedules and shifts
  • Inventory Management Software: Helps track inventory levels, reduce waste, and optimize stock
  • Reservation Software: Facilitates table reservations and guest management
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Tools to manage customer data, loyalty programs, and feedback
  • Digital Menu Design Tools: Create visually appealing digital menus for guests
  • Online Ordering & Delivery Platforms: Enable online ordering and delivery services

SoundHound AI and Acrelec Partner

Next Generation of AI-Powered Drive-Thrus SoundHound AI and Acrelec announced a strategic partnership to bring advanced, voice-enabled drive-thru systems to restaurants worldwide. When we saw the nice Burger King drive-thru demo with Acrelec it was clear that they had gotten it right.  There are competitors to Soundhound for sure (Sodaclick e.g.). Acrelec has some nice videos. Not surprisingly,… Read More »

Samsung Kiosk – How Is it Working?

Samsung Kiosk July 2024 Review — 2025 Update 2025 Update  — Here’s the 2025 news for Samsung kiosk.  Looks like the Super Bowl and Mr. Pickle.  Grubbrr has a certain opaque quality to it.  The documented ROI for example is always mentioned, but never seen.  Grubbrr is strategic partner for NCR Voyix. NCR used to make kiosks but… Read More »

Benefits of Restaurant Kiosks by Acrelec Video

The Hidden Benefits of Self-Order Kiosks Nice video by Acrelec covering main benefits of self-order kiosks. Self-order kiosks have become a  familiar sight in restaurants, offering convenience and efficiency to  customers. But beyond the obvious advantages, these kiosks bring several hidden benefits  that can transform operations and elevate the dining experience. Let’s uncover what makes  self-order kiosks a game-changer for restaurants.… Read More »

EAA Compliance – Acrelec Video Demonstation

Acrelec EAA ADA Demonstration Good to see clear video demonstrating accessibility as mandated by new EAA.  Words can be difficult to judge. The European Accessibility Act (EAA) The European Accessibility Act (EAA) significantly impacts self-ordering in restaurants, particularly for those operating in or serving customers within the European Union. Starting June 28, 2025, all new consumer-facing digital devices—including self-service kiosks, table… Read More »

Lockers – Amazon Hub, USPS & Temperature Controlled

Lockers Amazon & USPS Pickup Lockers for parcel pickup and vending dispensing are surging in popularity.  Apartment complexes and more. Amazon is across the 7-Eleven chain.  One of the new ideas are custom solar-powered pickup lockers for residential consumers. Porch pirates are just one factor. We took a look at the space recently.  What drove us to do… Read More »

Starbucks Kiosk – Rumors are South Korea and Japan Coming

Starbucks Kiosk Starbucks announced on Monday a plan to implement the coffee franchise’s first self-order kiosks in select stores across tourist-heavy areas in South Korea and Japan. The kiosks are aimed at enhancing the customer experience by reducing wait times and streamlining the ordering process. In South Korea, the kiosks will debut at the Starbucks Korea branch in… Read More »

Acrelec Rebrands

Acrelec Unveils Rebrand as Company Continues Market Expansion March 27, 2025 — From CityBiz — It’s been clear for awhile that Acrelec is the leader in restaurant kiosks, and a lot more. Editors Note: The Acrelec logo communicates a sense of modernity, innovation, and technological sophistication. The stylized “A” design resembles a sleek, curved shape, suggesting dynamism and… Read More »

Restaurant Accessibility Blind and Low Vision Customers

Restaurant Accessibility Survey Download Restaurant Accessibility Survey — Customer loyalty is crucial for any organization, including the restaurant industry. How a restaurant treats customers with disabilities can significantly affect that loyalty and have a lasting impact on their business. Between February and March 2024, Vispero and TPGi surveyed over 600 blind and low-vision people about their experiences accessing… Read More »

National Restaurant Preview – Press Release

National Restaurant Association Show 2025 and Kiosk Association Visit Booth 8030 for Kiosks and Digital Signage at National Restaurant Association Show — As seen on APnews and also PRnewswire WESTMINSTER, Colo., April 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Come see Kiosk Manufacturer Association (KMA) in booth 8030 (NRA site). Self-order kiosks and smart food vending will be highlighted, implementing interactive and static digital signage… Read More »

AI, Connectivity, Robotics And Data Spur Self Service On Multiple Fronts

AI, Connectivity, Robotics In Self-Service It would hardly be an overstatement to say that artificial intelligence computing, in combination with more powerful connectivity, robotics and an explosion of data, has jump-started innovation in most industries. For the self-service industry, the technology has unleashed opportunities to boost customer experiences, oftentimes in a more economical manner. Such advancements have fostered… Read More »

Drive Thru Digital Menus Outdoor – Technical Review

Drive Thru Displays Failures McDonalds, Samsung Typically the kiosk association deals with transactional technologies but peripheral technology like drive-thru menu boards fall into the unattended self-order market.  Even digital signage which is broadcasting actionable information to consumers and customers is relevant. Failures of technology are often the best teachers of how to do it right (and what to… Read More »

Restaurant Kiosk, AI, Vending and Digital Signage at NRA

Restaurant Kiosk & Digital Signage  & Vending Trade Show Are you looking for restaurant kiosk self-service technology? Here is our main NRA page and here is floorplan  #8030 at NRA show — Order station kiosks, menu boards, digital signage, POS payment options including biometrics and facial, lockers for hot or cold, EV charging, outdoor drive thru menu boards,… Read More »

Olo Restaurant Platform — Time To Sell?

Olo Restaurant Rumors Article on the rumors Olo is looking for buyer. Reforming Retail delivers remarkable analysis of situation. Meanwhile the market seems to slowing. First the cautions coming from McDonalds and Wendy’s that sales are slowing significantly. McDonald’s reported a 3% decrease in revenue and a 3.6% drop in U.S. same-store sales for the first quarter of 2025,… Read More »

Clover Kiosk POS – Restaurant ROI – 3 Examples

Restaurant Kiosk ROI with Clover Kiosk POS Restaurant Kiosk ROI review of three different restaurant kiosk deployments and the return on investment numbers (and dollars) including cost savings. For full article and study click here. Summary Self-ordering kiosks in restaurants: This is a white paper that analyzes the financial benefits of using self-ordering kiosks in three different types… Read More »

POS Terminals POS Kiosks

POS Terminal & Point of Sale Terminal Companies The POS kiosk faces the customer. The POS terminal is generally employee-facing though double-sided is now facing customers.  It is hardware and software. It is transactional but it can also be informational. Consider digital menus and messaging, for example, digital advertising and branding. Simply put — Point-of-sale (POS) systems are… Read More »

Restaurant Report on Self-Service – Tillster

Review 2025 Tillster Phygital Index Report The “2025 Tillster Phygital Index Report” is a comprehensive analysis of consumer behaviors and preferences related to digital and physical ordering experiences in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) and fast-casual sectors in the United States. The report is confined to US-based consumers, based on a survey of 1,005 diners conducted in February 2024.… Read More »

Apex Pickup Lockers Solutions Pittsburgh Zoo

Lockers Pickup Solutions in Pittsburgh Latest deployment from Apex. Just so happens to include Olea Kiosks too. Last week we ran story on Applebee’s pickup food lockers from Apex From LinkedIn Less time in lines = More time with lions 🦁 That’s the experience guests are getting at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, where we partnered with SSA Group… Read More »

Kiosk Industry Press Release October 20

Self Service Kiosk October 2024 News from Kiosk Manufacturer Association Our kiosk industry booth at IAAPA features a strong lineup of partners WESTMINSTER, Colo., Oct. 15, 2024 (PR Newswire) — Kiosk Manufacturer Association updates for October 2024, announced. As we gear up for IAAPA in Orlando this November, we’re excited to showcase our expertise in the kiosk market.… Read More »

Custom Kiosks Self Service & Self Order

Custom Configured Kiosks: Unlocking the True Potential of Self-Service Kiosks   Nice article by Olea Kiosks on custom kiosks and all the details that have to be considered.  Olea actually is one of the candidates for “Best Of” awards in NYC this January. Thanks to several units but specifically the Empire State Building (which Trip Advisor selected as… Read More »

FSTEC Kiosks Trade Show in September Dallas

FSTEC Kiosks Trade Show See us in Dallas in #1009.  You will find us near TOAST, Bite, Soundhound and Panasonic– Where Restaurants and Tech Connect — Contact – email [email protected] or call me for more information.  Contact info for attendees below. We’ll be showing the Olea self order restaurant kiosk and the Pyramid both running the Nanonation Self Order… Read More »

McDonalds Touchscreen Kiosks – Not Taking Jobs CNN Story

McDonald’s touchscreen kiosks were feared as job killers. Instead, something surprising happened McDonald’s touchscreen kiosks are explained as having surprising and unintended results such as “labor redistribution”.  This is probably the first article for this fellow on kiosks and we are surprised he didn’t touch on robotics. All in all, it is a nice article, though. For reference, McDonald’s… Read More »

Self Order Restaurant Kiosk Buyers Guide

The Rise of the Restaurant Kiosk This Restaurant Kiosk Buyer’s Guide will teach you what you need to know when buying kiosks for your restaurant operation. Over the last couple of years, we’ve experienced a significant digital transformation in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry. It has seen the integration of technology into everyday operations. Among the most impactful… Read More »