How can ordering terminals help restaurateurs boost margins?

25% to 40% increase in average shopping basket. Dreamlike figures, don't you think? And what if these results were within your reach, thanks to a simple and effective solution? The order terminal is much more than just a machine: it's a real engine for growth and profitability, freeing you from constraints so that you can concentrate on what's essential. 

That's what we see every day at Innovorder. Let us tell you how the order terminal optimizes your operations and increases your margins. 

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The control terminal, a lever for profitability

Think back to your last rush hour. Staff under pressure, queues getting longer and longer, stress mounting in both the dining room and the kitchen. The order desk, on the other hand, knows no stress. It works 24/7, without ever making a mistake.

Increase productivity and reduce staff costs

Installing an order terminal is almost like adding an employee to your team, but without the payroll costs. It takes care of the order-taking, freeing up your staff to concentrate on higher value-added tasks: preparing food, welcoming customers or advising them.  

Your team is more productive and personnel costs are reduced, without sacrificing service quality.

Control costs by reducing errors and waste

At the counter, misunderstandings happen fast. An order taken in noise or stress, the wrong option ticked, and a dish has to be redone. With a self-service ordering terminal, customers validate their orders themselves. No more careless mistakes, no more wasted raw materials and no more customer dissatisfaction. This translates directly into a higher gross margin and better stock management.

Boost customer turnover and sales volume

An order placed at a kiosk is faster than one taken by an employee. This smoother customer journey and higher turnover rate means you can collect more orders in a given time, which translates into higher sales. 

👉 To find out more: Fast-food ordering station: comparison of the best models

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Increased average shopping basket thanks to kiosks

The kiosk is also an efficient, silent and always available salesperson.

Increase your average basket with automatic upselling

It's an established fact: restaurants equipped with ordering terminals see their average basket increase by 25% to 40%. Why is this? Because the kiosk isn't afraid to offer extras or options. "For €2 more, switch to the XL menu", "Add a dessert to your order". These suggestions, made at the right moment and without the pressure of a waiting person, are very often accepted.Automated upselling is a formidable function for your restaurant's profitability.

Highlight your premium products to sell more

Your customers take their time. They browse the menu, discovering tempting photos of your signature dishes. The touch terminal is a veritable interactive catalog that highlights your high-margin products. By offering space to describe quality ingredients or the unique story behind a recipe, it encourages customers to indulge themselves and more easily opt for these expensive choices. It doesn't just show your premium products, it sells them for you.

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Rapid, measurable return on investment

Thanks to the increase in the average basket, the reduction in staff costs and the reduction in waste, the return on investment of a kiosk is generally very rapid. For a high-traffic chain, this can be achieved in 6 to 18 months. 

Estimating the profitability of a terminal is simple. Simply compare your initial capital expenditure (CAPEX) and recurring operating costs (OPEX) with the financial gains generated.

• CAPEX (Capital Expenditures): This is the one-off cost of purchasing and installing the terminal itself.
• OPEX (Operational Expenditures): These are software subscription, maintenance and support costs.

Once you've estimated these figures, all you have to do is put them into perspective with the benefits the kiosk brings you: increased average basket, staff savings, reduced waste, etc. You'll then be able to see the positive impact of the Innovorder kiosk on your finances.

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Digitalization to boost performance

Another advantage of order kiosks is that they generate valuable data which, if properly exploited, can become an invaluable asset for your business.

Use customer data to manage your margins in real time

The kiosk is an information sensor. What are the best-selling dishes? At what time of day? What are the most popular options? This data enables you to adjust your menus, optimize your supply chain and fine-tune your strategies to maximize margins.

Automate your tasks to save precious time

By digitizing your establishment with order terminals, you can put an end to double entries and transcription errors. Reporting is done automatically and regularly, freeing you from time-consuming tasks so that you can concentrate on the essentials: the customer experience and the development of your restaurant.

👉 To find out more: Margin and profitability in the restaurant business: everything you need to know

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Kiosks, a future focused on customers and customer loyalty

The terminal is not a point of arrival, but a gateway to a more modern, connected and customer-oriented restaurant.

Turn your terminal into a powerful marketing tool

The kiosk can be an excellent marketing tool. It's the perfect place to highlight a special offer of the week or a targeted promotion. It can even be useful for proposing products according to the time of day or current trends.

Build customer loyalty with a seamless experience

The touch terminal customer experience is not limited to simply taking an order. By connecting to your loyalty program, guests can collect points, redeem benefits and even order in advance via Click & Collect. Your guests benefit from a seamless, frictionless experience that keeps them coming back for more.

Discover future developments in touch terminals

Future kiosk models will incorporate artificial intelligence for ever more relevant recommendations. Gone are the generic suggestions. The kiosk will suggest products based on the customer's preferences, order history or even the day's weather. This level of personalization will make the customer experience even more unique, boosting engagement and, of course, the average basket.

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Ultimately, the order terminal is a real opportunity for your profitability. It sells for you, optimizes your team's work, reduces errors and provides you with a wealth of valuable information. It's the key to a more efficient, more modern, more profitable restaurant. 

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 Let's talk about the best way to optimize your restaurant's margins. Contact us for a personalized demo of our order terminals.