With restaurant and foodservice operations ever more dependent on technological change, few developments are as important as the self-service kiosk. It is user-friendly, efficient, and provides tremendous amounts of streamlining of orders, payments, and overall workflows. But what does a restaurant kiosk cost indicate, and how do restaurateurs best implement such systems?
In this blog, we’re going to dissect the actual costs that restaurants incur in installing kiosks, how they create value in restaurants, and why more restaurants should be smartening up and adding them to their facilities.
What is a Restaurant Kiosk?
A restaurant kiosk is essentially a self-service, touch screen device. It can be used for checking the menu, making special order requests, and even paying, all without an associated cashier. Such kiosks are now being used in quick-service restaurants (QSRs), casual dining, and many high-end restaurants as a seamless and efficient way of ordering.
Restaurant Kiosks Achieve:
- Increased accuracy in orders
- Faster transaction time
- Customer satisfaction
- Labour cost saving
As the demand for kiosks grows, knowing the integration cost into your business becomes a critical aspect of long-term planning.
Factors Influencing Restaurant Kiosk Cost
When you are finding the restaurant kiosk cost, several key factors come into play, such as hardware, software, installation, maintenance, and training. Let’s break these down:
- Hardware Cost
A restaurant kiosk’s hardware parts would consist mainly of the touchscreen display, payment processing equipment, and other peripherals like receipt printers. The cost may change widely depending on the quality and size of the kiosk, the manufacturer, and any added feature requirements such as card readers or scanners.
A basic kiosk system would start around at $1,500 to $3,000. From what I have learned, such a standard system includes a touchscreen user interface and payment processor.
Advanced Kiosk Systems: Those restaurants with a more complex solution, for example, bigger screen, interactive features, and also facial recognition, could run in the thousands, likely running up to $5,000 to $10,000 per unit.
2. Software Cost
Restaurant kiosks require software that will complement well with the restaurant’s point-of-sale system. Software has to be user-friendly, flexible, and updated at regular intervals for hassle-free working. Often the options are as follows:
Subscription-based software: Most vendors offer this type of software with a subscription model. Monthly or yearly fees are charged, depending on the type of subscription. Subscription costs could be anywhere between $50 and $200 per month, relying on the amount of service and support.
One-Time Licensing Fee: Some Kiosk providers offer a One-Time license fee ranging from $500 to $2,500 based on the features and complexity involved.
It must provide these functionalities with menu updating and analytics it will integrate with customer behavior. It must integrate perfectly with the already existing operations in the restaurant. Customization for branded interfaces or other specially designed functions will add to the total software cost.
3. Installation and Setup
The number of kiosks being installed will determine the complexity of the system, and hence the cost of installation. For instance,
- Simple Installation: An elementary kiosk will go between $300 to $600.
- Complex Installations: Large installations, kiosks, complex integrations, custom mounting may require specialized professionals, and the price tag can reach as high as $1,000 or more for each kiosk.
Sometimes they are included in the package installation for a general product. But you should clarify this information before buying the product.
4. Maintenance and Support
With regular maintenance, the kiosks will never have any major downtime. Most of the vendors offer service packages that include software updates, troubleshooting, and hardware repair.
- Annual Maintenance: The costs of annual maintenance are in the range of $150 to $500. This all depends on the complexity of the system and the level of support required.
- Extended warranties: Some providers offer extended warranties, which add $200 to $500 to the upfront cost but give peace of mind in the face of malfunctions.
For the kiosk to be able to work, proper maintenance is needed especially when people often use it with frequent traffic going in and out of the kiosk; otherwise, wear and tear may occur.
5. Training Costs
The cost should also include training employees to use the kiosk system. While most restaurant kiosks are designed to be intuitive, it is essential that your staff is able to troubleshoot common problems, oversee orders, and deal with customers who may not be familiar with the system.
- On-site training: For a fee ranging from $100 to $500 per session, depending on the number of staff members, some companies offer on-site training.
- Online tutorials: Other providers are training through online modules, which are usually free or offer as a component of the software.
Training your crew would provide your clients with the service they desire while maximizing kiosk efficiency and questions and issues involving customers.
Hidden Costs to Consider
Apart from the obvious costs incurred with a restaurant kiosk system, there are some that are more concealed:
- Customization fee: If you want the feel of a branded kiosk completely customised with tailor-made interfaces and functions, that may incur additional charges, which could be between $1,000 and $5,000.
- Menus: Some kiosk systems might charge extra for multiple changes in menus or seasonal updates.
- Transaction Fees: Payments through a kiosk can cost a transaction fee. Some of the providers may have small percentages for each transaction between 1.5% and 3%.There are a few hidden costs that would have to be factored in to come up with the total cost of the kiosk system.
Return on Investment (ROI)
The cost of initiation can be costly in a restaurant kiosk, while the long-term return can be of tremendous significance. Restaurants offer multiple ways to value them through the following value addition practices:
- Labor Cost Variance: Kiosks reduce the extra hiring of staff to take orders and make restaurants use their human resources in a more efficient manner.
- Increased Order Accuracy: As the customer is placing the order themselves, the error rate will dramatically reduce while fewer foods are wasted, and it therefore increases the level of customer satisfaction.
- Higher Average Check Sizes: Most kiosks are created to upsell, and sales associates will often go down a list of possibilities with a customer and make additional, greater check sizes through add-ons or upgrades to a sale.
- Quick Service: Kiosks will ensure that waiting lines during peak hours are minimal; thus, restaurants will be able to serve more customers efficiently with a great experience.
Restaurant kiosks would bring forth the benefits that will offset the costs, in most cases within the shortest possible time, especially for more voluminous business houses.
Conclusion
For businesses that are keen on streamlining a business, enhancing the customer experience, and keeping up with the times while the world at large slowly becomes more digital, investing in a restaurant kiosk system is the wise thing to do. Though the restaurant kiosk cost upfront differs depending on the hardware, software, and many other factors, long-term saving, revenue increase, and efficiency are often way worth the investment.
A restaurant kiosk would therefore demand an assessment of specific needs, budget, and value it can bring to your restaurant. So, with the proper set-up, it can be a prime asset in helping to boost customer satisfaction and maximize profits.