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

Square Launches “Square for Drive-Thru” to Boost Speed and Accuracy for Quick-Service Restaurants

nanonation square

Summary of Key Points for New Drive Thru by Square 1. End-to-End Drive-Thru Integration Square for Drive-Thru is a purpose-built solution that connects order capture, kitchen operations (KDS), and customer handoff into one workflow. It is designed specifically to help Quick-Service Restaurants (QSRs) manage their highest-volume sales channel. 2. Strategic Partnerships The hardware and digital signage components were… Read More »

Edge AI Company Profile for Giada

Giada Edge AI Media Player — Giada (Shenzhen JIEHE Technology) designs embedded computing platforms that power kiosks, digital signage, and edge AI systems. Giada is not the kiosk. It is not the software. Giada is the pragmatic edge compute layer for high-volume, display-driven self-service deployments.   Where Giada Fits Modern self-service systems follow a consistent architecture: User Interface — kiosk, display,… Read More »

The Self-Service Retrofit Masterclass

retrofit versus replace

The $50,000 Question Why scrap a $4,000 stainless steel enclosure because a $400 PC or a $200 card reader is obsolete? The Compliance Hammer: HHS 504 and EAA 2025/2026. The Hardware Reality: Transitioning from “Passive Terminals” to “Edge AI Hubs.” Retrofit or Replace Toolkit — discount for NRA Section 1: The “Brain” Swap Legacy PC Assessment: Identifying the… Read More »

2026 Strategic Compliance Checklist

strategic compliance checklist

In 2026, compliance is no longer a legal review process—it is a system architecture decision. Organizations deploying kiosks, self-checkout, or unattended retail must now design for accessibility, AI-driven loss prevention, and zero-trust security from day one. This checklist is not theoretical. It reflects what regulators, auditors, and operations teams will actually enforce in production environments. The 2026 compliance… Read More »

McDonald’s First Job Confessional Kiosk

mcdonalds first job

Using McDonald’s Self-Order Kiosk for Interview? McDonald’s “First Job Confessional” is a reality TV‑inspired, social‑first campaign that turns order kiosks into confessional booths where people share first‑job stories in exchange for McDonald’s gift cards, both on-site and online. Noted on Marketing Dive Why this matters: McDonald’s is quietly showing how a familiar self‑order kiosk can double as a… Read More »

Restaurant Self-Service Technology Update – January 25th Edition

SST Restaurant Update

Recent developments in self‑service technology for major restaurant chains Here’s our SST summary (January 25, 2026) focused on meaningful recent developments in self‑service technology for major restaurant chains (kiosks, conversational/voice AI, drive‑thru AI, robotics/automation, computer‑vision, and app/mobile ordering): Key Recent Developments AI & Drive‑Thru Ordering McDonald’s continues expanding AI applications in 2026, integrating AI across operations—improving drive‑thru accuracy and exploring… Read More »

Has NCR Given Up on Hardware?

NCR Ennocon

Insight: NCR Isn’t Leaving Hardware — It’s Leaving the Factory When NCR Voyix announced it was transitioning its self-checkout and POS hardware operations to Ennoconn (aka Hon Hai), some industry observers rushed to frame the move as “NCR exiting hardware.” That’s the wrong conclusion. What NCR is really doing is exiting manufacturing ownership — a very different thing… Read More »

Steak ’n Shake’s Automation Playbook: How Kiosks and Digital Ordering Rewired a Legacy QSR Brand

steak-n-shake

From Decline to Discipline: Why Steak ’n Shake Turned to Automation For decades, Steak ’n Shake built its reputation on made-to-order burgers, table service, and late-night diners. But by the late 2010s, that model was under severe pressure. Rising labor costs, inconsistent service, shrinking margins, and declining traffic forced leadership to rethink the fundamentals of how orders were… Read More »

Insight: Acrelec’s Leadership Reset Signals a New Phase for Global QSR Technology

acrelec bruno

Glory Global Goes For Scale with Acrelec This is not a leadership shuffle—it’s a business model declaration.  Glory is now signaling that Acrelec will be its growth engine for unified commerce in foodservice automation.  Glory’s push to integrate Acrelec and Flooid reflects a deliberate move to redefine itself from a cash automation vendor to a full-stack retail technology player… Read More »

2026 Hall Of Fame Inductees

Hall of Fame Inductee

Recognizing Industry Pioneers and Innovators The Kiosk Industry Group Hall of Fame recognizes individuals whose long-term contributions have materially shaped the self-service, kiosk, accessibility, automation, and interactive technology industries. It exists to document and honor sustained impact over time, not short-term success or product cycles. Announcements 2026 Hall Of Fame Inductees Best of 2025 Kiosk Industry Group Awards… Read More »

CES 2026 to highlight booming tech investment, announces record innovation awards

Kioskindustry Self-Service Kiosk image

Cover photo provided by the Consumer Technology Association. CES 2026 Preview Economic uncertainty hangs across much of the globe, but technology remains on the march. AI spending will continue to rise in 2026, with 68% of CEOs increasing investment, according to Teneo, the CEO advisory firm. Next week’s CES show in Las Vegas (Jan. 6-9) will preview much… Read More »

2026: The Year Self-Service Stops Being Optional

TIG Self-Service Predictions

Predictions from The Industry Group For more than two decades, self-service technology advanced in cycles—touchscreens improved, hardware got cheaper, networks got faster, and operators layered efficiency gains on top of familiar models. That era is ending. 2026 is not about incremental improvement.It is about structural shifts already underway becoming unavoidable. This pillar article outlines where those shifts converge—and… Read More »

SST Update for October and November

self-service technology update

What We Saw Going On that was Meaningful Self-service technology in restaurants has moved beyond pilots. AI drive-thru, kiosks, mobile-first ordering, and selective automation are now operational realities—especially in QSR and fast casual. Here’s a short executive brief summarizing what’s actually happening across major brands as we head into 2026. Executive Brief McDonald’s — Rolled out Order Ahead… Read More »

TIG Core Market Report 2025 – Full Stack – Updated

TIG Core Market Report

A look at kiosks, digital signage, lockers and other self-service trends Kiosks, Digital Signage & Unattended Retail Metrics by the Kiosk Association — (TIG and the kiosk association compiles this data for the benefit of is members and supporters. The KMA does not sell the report but provides it on an inform and educate basis.) Self-service technology has… Read More »

Best Verticals for Self-Service Technology

best verticals for self-service technology

Where Kiosks, Digital Signage & Unattended Retail Deliver ROI We are constantly asked. “Where does self-service technology these days benefit the retailer and the customer. Self-service technology has moved far beyond simple ticketing or check-in. In 2025–2026, the strongest growth is coming from multi-modal automation ecosystems — kiosks, digital signage, vending, AI-driven POS, smart lockers, and cloud analytics.… Read More »

Accesso Unveils AI-Powered Shopping at IAAPA Orlando 2025

Accesso at IAPPA

Accesso Goes AI Accesso will showcase its AI-powered shopping preview and latest technological innovations at IAAPA Orlando 2025, with advancements featured across its Freedom, Passport, Horizon, and LoQueue platforms. The highlight is a new conversational AI system, allowing guests to place orders for food and retail through natural chat interactions. These updates aim to create a seamless, personalized,… Read More »

Chick-fil-A’s Hospital Vending Machine is Changing Food Access for Patients and Staff

vending machine chick-fil-a

24-Hour Vending Machine (6 Days A Week) Noted — Chick-fil-A has launched its first food vending machine at Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia, located inside the hospital’s “F entrance.” This marks an innovation in Chick-fil-A’s service delivery, aiming to provide quick, convenient access to its food, particularly in a hospital setting where traditional dining options can… Read More »

Kiosk Market Research and Data

Kiosk Market Research TIG in Denver

Takeaway on global kiosk market — A more conservative, “real” estimate from direct industry participants—especially in the U.S.—often puts the true kiosk sector (excluding ATM, vending, and all tangential categories) at closer to $8–15 billion globally for core interactive and self-service kiosks. Below is how we define the core kiosk sector and why third-party numbers often overstate its… Read More »

Restaurant POS ROI — Reduced Labor, More Profit and More Sales

restaurant roi nanonation clover samsung

Case Study of Three Example Restaurants Before and After “Elevating Restaurant Finances: The Transformative Power of Self-Ordering Kiosks,” presents a detailed study on how self-ordering kiosks can dramatically improve financial outcomes for independently owned counter-service restaurants.​ Editor Note — Nanonation AI offers a “suggestive selling” AI tool that recommends the best combinations based on learning from orders over… Read More »

2025 State of Restaurant Industry

state of restaurant industry national restaurant association 2025

National Restaurant Association Report 2025 The State of the Restaurant Industry 2025 report by the National Restaurant Association provides a comprehensive outlook on restaurant performance, sales forecasts, workforce developments, technology adoption, and consumer behavior patterns shaping the year ahead. Overview The report is based on surveys from operators and consumers across six key categories—family dining, casual dining, fine dining, quick… Read More »

Top 50 Point-of-Sales Systems Market Data Report

TIG Analysis – Self-Service “Hooks”, experiments and functions the POS supports The restaurant technology landscape is undergoing a major transformation driven by the rapid evolution of point-of-sale (POS) systems. As the operational hub of modern dining, POS platforms have moved far beyond simple transaction processing to become integrated ecosystems powering every aspect of service delivery, customer engagement, and… Read More »

McDonald’s Kiosk – Top Three Questions

mcdonalds digital sales

Why Did They Introduce? Fewer Employees?  Higher Sales? Updated Feb 2026 — new 2025 McDonalds digital revenue number + reference links + table 1. Why did McDonald’s introduce kiosks? People wonder whether kiosks are meant to replace workers or just improve speed and accuracy. The answer usually highlights customer convenience, higher order accuracy, increased upselling, and the ability… Read More »

Custom Kiosk Enclosure Design – Branding

Custom Kiosk design enclosure design

Why Custom Kiosk Enclosure Design Matters Understanding kiosk enclosure design — The difference between a kiosk that thrives and one that fails often comes down to design. Expert kiosk designers don’t just design kiosks that work—they design kiosks that delight, inspire confidence, and deliver results. It takes years of trial and error to understand the nuances of kiosk design. … Read More »

Best Restaurant POS For Small Restaurants

top three restaurant POS systems

Consensus Recommendations for Feature-Rich and Cost-Effective Restaurant POS We will eliminate the suspense here and let you know off the bat that TOAST and Aloha/NCR/whatever are not on the list. They are in our reading material for sure (thanks for the input Jordan). Usual dollar-driven media rarely cover the small restaurant and the “smallest” restaurant. Not profitable for… Read More »

Popeyes Kiosks in Travel Center

popeyes kiosk

TravelCenters of America Enhances Dining Experience with Popeyes Kiosks TravelCenters of America (TA) is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Popeyes, aimed at revolutionizing the dining experience for travelers. TA would also like to recognize Tillster for their instrumental role in this initiative, noting the positive feedback from TA Groups on their experience working with the Tillster… Read More »

2025 Restaurant Tech Report Canopy

Canopy restaurant report

What Customers Want From QSR Technology and Where Brands Fall Short The 2025 Restaurant Tech Report by Canopy provides a nuanced look at how technology is shaping customer experiences in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) sector, highlighting both benefits and ongoing challenges. Canopy, a provider of remote monitoring and management (RMM) software for connected products, recently released a report… Read More »

LG’s Next-Gen Kiosks Advance a “Better Life for All”

The Industry Group Kiosks and Digital Signage

Designing Accessibility into Everyday Interactions This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the landmark legislation that transformed public spaces, workplaces and digital platforms in the United States by protecting the rights of people with disabilities. This milestone is ushering in a new generation of B2B technology that is reshaping the way accessibility… Read More »