How self-service kiosks improve casual dining operations

With 85% of diners expecting digital ordering and over half willing to pay extra for a seamless tech-driven experience, casual dining restaurants that ignore the trend risk losing customers. Today’s diners value hassle-free, connected experiences – and it’s shaping where they eat and how much they spend.

If you want to stay ahead, your casual dining chain needs to embrace restaurant tech – and starting with self-service kiosks is an easy win. Discover what kiosks are and how they improve your casual dining operations. 

What are kiosks? 

A self-service kiosk does what it says on the tin – it lets customers place their own orders in your restaurants. They can explore your menu, add items to baskets, customise orders and pay via a digital, standalone device instead of through restaurant staff at tables or tills, and orders are sent straight to your kitchens. 

How kiosks improve operations in casual dining restaurants

Kiosks are growing in popularity – and with the benefits they offer, it’s not surprising that more casual dining chains are bringing them into their restaurants. Find out how you can level up your operations with kiosks.

Keep queues moving

Long, slow-moving queues are a common challenge in casual dining. The longer customers wait, the hungrier (or hangrier!) they get. Unhappy customers are less likely to return and more likely to leave bad reviews online. Luckily, kiosks help cut down long lines and keep things moving. With easy-to-use, intuitive technology, customers can place orders in no time – getting food to the kitchen faster and meals to diners even faster. 

Increase order accuracy 

When orders aren’t right, staff have to take them back to the kitchen, leading to delays and frustrated customers. Kiosks solve this problem, as customers place their own orders, reducing miscommunication. They also make ordering easier for customers with dietary restrictions or allergies. With ingredients and allergens displayed on the screen, diners can make informed choices, customise their meals, and avoid awkward back-and-forth with staff, meaning faster service and fewer mistakes.

Boost average order spend

Research shows that customers typically spend 10 to 30 per cent more when ordering via self-service kiosks. Why? Kiosks also come with built-in upselling tools that encourage customers to spend more. They can suggest add-ons, meal deals or upgrades, boosting order totals and your sales revenue. Plus, they give diners more time to browse the menu, which can lead to bigger orders. 

Reduce staff pressure during peak hours

Busy periods can stretch your team thin, but kiosks can take the pressure off. By letting customers place their own orders, your front-of-house staff can focus on delivering great service, while kitchen teams get clear, accurate tickets without interruptions. This means you can serve more guests with the same number of staff, reduce your team’s stress, and deliver a smooth dining experience – even when your restaurants are buzzing.

Speed up service and improve customer satisfaction with kiosks

Self-service kiosks are the future of casual dining – and now, they’re available to TISSL users thanks to our partnership with Kurve. Find out how kiosks can improve your casual dining operations – speak with our team today.