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

McDonald’s Kiosk – Magnification and Reach Mode Accessibility

Extending Accessibility to Kiosks and Online From McDonald’s — Accessible to Everyone – Including Online! At McDonald’s®, we believe it’s important that all our customers feel welcome and comfortable – both in our restaurants and online. That’s why we’ve improved our digital channels and technologies to make them more accessible to everyone. We aim to ensure that everyone… Read More »

Ingenico Newsletter Payments

MWAA 2025, SoftPOS transforming Androids & Palm Vein Cielo interview Newsletter on LinkedIn September 5, 2025< Welcome to the twenty-third edition of The Ingenico Newsletter. Today, we’ll talk about MWAA 2025, SoftPOS transforming Androids & Palm Vein Cielo interview. 📖 Make yourself comfortable to enjoy your reading! 📅 MWAA 2025 – Event Recap MWAA 2025 was an incredible… Read More »

Self-Ordering Kiosk LG Announcement – Hands Free too

Accessibility From The Start – Designed, Configured and Tested This is the first kiosk designed from the ground up for accessibility. TFA is known for its work with Southwest Airlines and their check-in units.  This is the first AI-assist for conversational AI voice kiosk we have seen. Not surprised to see Soundhound in the mix. Starting at $2667. … Read More »

Zebra Buys Elotouch

What Next For the Self-Service Industry? We heard about it last week and noted it on the homepage. Zebra has a knack for this. Think Motorola for example. Rumors were that Crestview wasn’t entirely happy with the results at Elo.  Rumors of the sale were at RetailNOW.  We are sad to see Elotouch, once again, sold off. They… Read More »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

AI Connect Bar – Conversational AI Audio Gets a Leg Up

Audio in High Noise Environments with AI The first unified communications product designed to leverage the full power of Conversational AI. The new AI Connect Bar combines the industry’s best microphones with a tuned, amplified speaker system into one sleek peripheral with a single USB connection to seamlessly attach to most All-in-One (AiO) touchscreen computers and kiosks. If… 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 »

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 »

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 »

Facial Recognition – Steak N Shake, Sam’s Club and Amazon

Facial Recognition Turning Retail On Its Face Very nice writeup on Retail and Restaurant on facial recognition by Thibaud Denolle of ACRELEC America. You can contact Thibaud at his LinkedIn or by email. Summary of Facial Biometrics in Retail Technology Overview: Facial biometrics uses AI for identity verification via facial features. Real-World Applications: Brands like Steak n’ Shake… Read More »

Kiosk Industry November 2024 Press Release

Kiosk Industry November 2024 Self Service November 2024 Westminster, CO – November 15, 2024 Come see us in Orlando next week for IAAPA 2024 #5727. 1100 exhibitors and 40,000 attendees. Did we mention free passes? We have those too. See landing page for Code.   PRnewswire Here is APNews. Our booth at IAAPA features a strong lineup of partners,… Read More »

Stats Smorgasboard – What We See

Stats – Restaurant, POS, Kiosks, Digital Signage We all like stats and numbers, too. Generally, though, any stats for any market are 95% of the time from India + they are automatically raised 10% from last year’s report + they want $5000 for them.  Generally all the wrong companies are listed, there are very pretty charts and graphs,… Read More »

Europe Kiosk News – Advantech Acquires AURES

ADVANTECH Finalizes AURES Acquisition Introducing the “ADVANTECH-AURES” Brand to the Global Market TAIPEI, Taiwan – Oct 4th, 2024 – ADVANTECH (TWSE: 2395), a global leader in AIoT and artificial intelligence, announced today that it has finalized its acquisition on block shares of AURES Technologies SA, a French Company renowned for its POS and KIOSK Brands. On October 1st,… Read More »

Restaurant Self-Order Europe – Ordu and Lazenby

New Europe Kiosk Partnership Overview – Irish-headquartered Ordú, a provider of advanced online ordering systems for the food service industry, today announces a new €1.5 million investment with global kiosk manufacturer Lazenby Group. Over the next three years, this collaboration is forecasted to generate €9 million in additional revenues for Ordú. It will facilitate the expansion of Ordú’s… 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 »

Kiosk Solutions – Future Proofing Kiosks with Frank Olea

Kiosk Solutions – Frank Olea Interview Join host Kate Orara as she chats with Frank Olea, CEO of Olea Kiosks, about the future of self-service kiosk technology. Frank shares insights into implementing kiosk solutions that enhance customer engagement across industries like healthcare, hospitality, and entertainment, while offering strategies to future-proof systems against inevitable hardware and software changes. Listeners… Read More »