If you run a fast casual or quick service restaurant, you have the option of improving the customer experience by using self-order kiosks. Self-ordering kiosks can speed up ordering and make your restaurant more efficient as your team members can focus on fulfilling orders rather than helping your customers place them.
If you’re thinking about adding this technology to your business, let’s look at self-order kiosk costs and how you can start to use self-ordering kiosks at your restaurant.
What Is a self-order kiosk?
Self-order kiosks are tablets or computer systems that allow customers to place and pay for orders on their own. The customer orders their meal through the kiosk and it is sent directly to the kitchen display system in the back of the house.
Self-order kiosks can range in size and use. A kiosk could be a small mobile tablet set on a table or a large stand-alone screen.
There are many benefits of including these kiosks in a fast casual or quick service restaurant:
- Save on labor costs because you won’t need as many employees to take orders.
- Increase the average ticket by upselling meals and suggesting add-ons.
- Promote specific items and market new foods, driving sales where you need them.
- Increase guests’ ability to customize orders, creating a better experience and increasing the chances they return.
Self-ordering kiosks are easy to set up and don’t take up much space. If a customer gets stuck in the ordering process, one of your nearby employees can jump in to help everything get sorted out.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Using Self-Service Restaurant Kiosks
How much do self-order kiosks cost?
Pricing for self-order kiosks can range widely. Some kiosks can cost up to $5,000. Lavu is on the low-end of the cost range at $50 per month. Our pricing is affordable because we offer kiosks as a simple add-on to our point-of-sale (POS) system. We use accessible iPad tablets for our kiosks while some companies specialize in selling large kiosks that can be installed permanently in your establishment and come with extra software.
With Lavu, you can set up your POS system for as low as $59 per month and add on kiosk for another $50/month.
(Pricing is subject to change. Please check our pricing page for our most up-to-date pricing.)
How much does it cost to install a kiosk?
Along with factoring hardware and software expenses, you may need to consider installation when you are calculating your self-order kiosk costs. Lavu self-order kiosks are easy to install—the system consists of simply an iPad and a stand. You can place them on any counter or table and could also have multiple tablets placed around the restaurant.
If you opt for a larger, more complex kiosk, you may have to pay for the installation and setup. These kiosks won’t be as mobile as Lavu tablets and you may also have to pay to have the systems removed. Some companies charge $1,000 or more for installation and delivery alone. With Lavu, you would get your whole self-ordering POS system running for a fraction of that price.
Is the self-order kiosk price worth it?
Investing in a self-order kiosk through Lavu is worth the cost to your business. The price is low, which means you can start taking orders without having to pay thousands of dollars to install a complex system. This means your POS system can immediately start making your company money.
Self-order kiosks are worth the price for many industries. We work with a variety of restaurant types to set up self-ordering, including:
- Food trucks
- Ice cream shops
- Coffee shops
- Delis
- Pizzerias
- Fast casual restaurants
All of these restaurants need to get food to customers fast. A customer won’t be willing to wait several minutes for an ice cream cone or a cup of coffee. While customers place their orders, employees work to fulfill them, keeping your business moving quickly throughout the day.
Related: The Self-Ordering Restaurant Kiosk Is Changing the Way We Eat Out
How much more will customers spend?
Self-service kiosks encourage customers to spend more in two ways. The systems promote add-ons that cost more (like guacamole on a burrito or extra pizza toppings) and they encourage customers to buy complementary items, like a soda or dessert, with their order. These two methods of upselling can have a marked impact on your business.
One study found that self-service kiosks lead to a 21% increase in order size with customers adding 1.4 more items to their carts at checkout. This resulted in a $5 increase per transaction on average.
When McDonalds and Taco Bell added self-service kiosks, they saw average check sizes increase by 30% and 20% respectively. McDonald’s saw an increase in drink orders while Taco Bell saw a rise in add-ons like jalapenos and sour cream—which can cost $0.30 to $0.70 per item.
Even if your kiosks can add a few dollars to each ticket, the investments can quickly pay for themselves and increase the profits for your restaurant.
Your Customers Will Appreciate Your Self-Order Kiosk
Self-order kiosks are increasingly popular across the United States. More restaurants are opting for this type of ordering system and customers are responding favorably.
To learn more about how these kiosks can help you grow, check out our eBook How the Self Ordering Restaurant Kiosk Is Changing the Way We Eat Out. This book highlights changes in the quick service restaurant industry and provides actionable tips that you can apply to your customer experience.
