More restaurants are adding digital ordering systems like self-service kiosks or mobile ordering. But simply rolling out new technology isn’t enough. The restaurants seeing real results are the ones using tech to solve real problems—faster ordering, higher accuracy, reduced costs, and a better guest experience.
The goal shouldn’t be to “have the latest tools.” The goal should be to make your operation smoother, more consistent, and more profitable.
Before choosing any new system, ask yourself:
What problem are we trying to solve?
Start with the Problem, Not the Tech
It’s easy to get caught up in trends or the pressure to keep up with competitors. Our competitors have kiosks, so we should get kiosks. But effective technology starts with identifying the issue you want to fix.
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- Are your lines too long at peak times?
- Are guests walking away because of wait times?
- Are your check sizes lower than they could be?
- Are staff bogged down with routine tasks instead of guest service?
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When you start with questions like these, the right solution becomes clearer—and the tech makes a difference.
Problem: Increase Average Ticket
Digital ordering systems are proven to increase average order value. In fact, research shows that self-service kiosks can boost customer spending by 14% to 30%. On-screen prompts and suggestive selling—like “Make it a combo” or “Add a drink?”—consistently lead to larger orders.
McDonald’s, for example, reported $26.8 billion in digital sales, much of it driven by kiosks and app-based ordering. When guests are in control and not rushed, they often spend more.
Problem: Long Lines
One of the biggest pain points for guests is waiting to order. Some guests will take one look at the line and decide to go elsewhere. Self-service kiosks help reduce that frustration by reducing order time by up to 40%. This keeps lines moving and allows you to serve more guests in less time.
Contactless ordering via mobile also boosts table turnover, helping restaurants increase daily volume—without adding more staff.
More throughput, shorter lines, and better guest flow—it all adds up to greater efficiency and revenue.
Problem: Order Errors
Problem: Order ErrorsWhen guests place their own orders, the chances of miscommunication drop sharply. Digital ordering systems like kiosks let them review everything before they hit “submit”—so they’re more likely to get exactly what they want.
That means:
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- Fewer errors
- Less food waste
- Higher customer satisfaction
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It’s one of the simplest ways to improve the guest experience without changing your menu or retraining your team.
Problem: Rising Labor Costs
Self-ordering technology doesn’t eliminate the need for staff—it allows you to use your team more effectively.
Instead of assigning multiple people to take orders at the counter, you can redeploy staff to focus on food quality, speed of service, and guest hospitality. This not only helps with labor costs, but also creates a more flexible, better-trained team.
For many restaurants, especially those in high-volume environments, this shift leads to more consistent service and less burnout.
Problem: Inconsistent Setups
Technology works best when it’s uniform across all locations. Just ask honeygrow, a fast-casual restaurant brand with more than 60 locations. Every order placed at honeygrow is done digitally—via kiosk, mobile app, web ordering, or third-party platform.
According to John Paul Thomas, VP of Operations Services:
“Our tech needs to work. It’s just as important as power or water—we can’t sell a stir-fry without electricity or gas, and we can’t do it without technology.”
To support fast growth, we helped honeygrow to build a repeatable process for new store openings. We partnered with them to create a “store in a box” solution: every piece of tech is delivered and installed in a standardized way, so each new restaurant opens with the same setup, fewer delays, and smoother operations
That consistency leads to easier training, fewer support calls, and a better experience for both staff and guests.
Problem: Siloed Systems
Self-service and contactless systems work best when they’re connected to your POS and digital menus. Integration allows you to:
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- Track order data in real time
- Respond quickly to changes in supply or demand
- Personalize marketing based on buying habits
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Digital menus are also easier and cheaper to update than printed ones, helping you adapt on the fly and test new ideas with less risk.
Smart systems not only help you run better—they help you plan better.
Problem: Changing Guest Expectations
Today’s guests are looking for a low-contact experience. In fact, more than 66% of U.S. diners say they prefer self-service options. It’s not about removing people from the experience—it’s about giving guests flexibility and reducing unnecessary touchpoints.
Tech Should Have a Job to Do
Self-service and contactless ordering isn’t about keeping up with trends. It’s about solving problems—problems like long lines, inconsistent orders, rising labor costs, and growing guest expectations.
When technology has a job to do, it delivers clear results:
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- Higher revenue
- Smoother operations
- Happier guests
- More confident teams
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Tech should earn its place by making the restaurant better—more efficient, more consistent, and more enjoyable to run and visit.
So before you invest in any new tool, ask the most important question:
What problem are we trying to solve?
If you’re looking to deploy your next technology project to scale across your organization, contact us today to see how we can help.