Here are 8 essential criteria to bear in mind when choosing your restaurant order terminal:
- Connection to cash register software
Make sure that your point-of-sales software is compatible with the order terminal. This is a prerequisite for simplifying your day-to-day operations, and avoiding the extra handling required to manage orders and receipts.
- Suggestions module
This is the big advantage of order terminals. Suggestions made when ordering help to increase the average bill. If Mc Do has installed automatic ordering kiosks in all its restaurants over the last 10 years, it's not just to speed up service. The fast-food chain found that suggestions during ordering increased the average bill by 30%.
- Integrated loyalty program
It's a must! If your digital loyalty program can be integrated into your order terminal, you benefit from a double win-win effect: your customers are delighted to be able to collect points or earn rewards via the terminal. And you continue to improve your customer knowledge by recording orders on each customer card.
- Instant menu update
Check that your restaurant control unit can be synchronized with your digital menu if you have one. If your menu changes daily, or if you remove a dish from your menu, you don't need to make any adjustments on your kiosk. Updates to your online menu are automatically replicated on your touch terminal.
- Easy to install
Before buying your restaurant control unit, think carefully about its location.
It's best to place it where it won't obstruct traffic, but is still easy to access. There's no need to embark on major installation work: some control terminals are designed in "Plug & Play" mode. There's no need to run electrical cables or cut holes in walls: you can install your terminal in 5 minutes, and your customers can order straight away.
- Design
Think about the impression customers will have when they enter your restaurant. Your ordering kiosks should be in keeping with your establishment. Avoid imposing, impersonal kiosks. Choose a design that reflects your personality and blends in perfectly with your premises.
- User-friendly interface
Customers love using kiosks to order in restaurants... provided that the navigation interface is pleasant and easy to use. If in doubt, put yourself in your customer's shoes and test the ordering kiosk: if you're not 100% satisfied with your user experience, chances are your customers won't be.
- Value for money
Of course, the price of a control unit is an essential criterion. Prices can range from €2,500 to €10,000. That can be a big budget... but think of the return on investment! With features such as suggestion modules and an integrated loyalty program, you'll quickly see a return on your investment. And that's not counting the time you'll save serving your customers. Choose a kiosk with sufficient performance to quickly see the impact on your sales.