First of, my apologies for the long post.
What are your opinions and insights on using self-service food ordering kiosks? A self-service food ordering kiosk is a computer based system which allows the customer to order food by themselves and pay by themselves without any employees getting involved (unless the customer has questions or needs help with the kiosk).

Here's how it would work:

The kiosk would be a free standing or on a counter top. Similar to the self-checkout kiosks at supermarkets, the customer would go through the menu presented on the screen and select the items he/she desires and pay with a credit card. Next, the customer will be given an order number. The order would automatically get routed to the computer or printer in the kitchen. When the order is complete, the order number is announced and displayed on a computer screen on the wall where every customer can see it. Once the customer sees their order number, they pick up their food and enjoy.

The value of the kiosk system:

The kiosk system would not be an end to customer service, it would drastically enhance it. An integrated systems that involves operations, marketing, IT, and customer service

• get return on investment in a matter of months with the reduction in costs
• get a return on investment over 100% within 6 months
• improve marketing effectiveness by presenting new items
• When all the manned counters are full or moving slow, the kiosk can help to improve speed when the manned lines are long and slow
• reduce costs by as much as 60%
• increase revenue by having the kiosk up sell items
• decrease order processing time
• reduce the number of incorrect orders since the customer places the orders directly
• dramatically increase the customer experience. The quicker they get their food, the happier they are, the more likely they come back
• customer intelligence - know what the biggest money maker is, peak times certain items sell, find out how long the average order takes, etc...

*** references for data available upon request
 
This all translates to higher revenue, and more satisfied customers.
 
Thanks for your time and feedback.
 
Best,
Rohit
 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automat

This is called re-inventing the wheel.
 
Back in the mid 70's when I moved up to the north east I remember these restaurants that you stood in line and got to the register and gave a number from pictures on the wall for your order with any other particulars you wanted. You paid and were given a plastic thing to put on your tray with a number and the order would be printed out in the kitchen. The number appeared on a display or was called over the PA system.
 
It might even be cheaper to do the above, but replace the girl at the register with a direct VOIP hook-up to someone in Banglore who's sitting in a call center to take your order rather then a touch screen Kiosk. Payment only accepted by Debit/Credit/or gift card. When Checkers or Taco Bell figure out a way to robotically process your order in the kitchen and eliminate the kitchen staff without having any employees involved in the process, that would revolutionary. I guess so would trying to explain that you want extra sour cream on your chalupa to someone who doesn't have the foggiest notion of what a chalupa is.
 
 

As much as the concept of the Automat was missed  in NYC...the updated concept of Bamn...did not make it.
http://www.vendingmarketwatch.com/web/online/VendingMarketWatch-News/Bamn-Automat-Closes-In-New-York-City/1$24225

The old Automat, I remember those, always thought it was a cool idea and it was fun as a kid. To bad Bamn didn't make it, it looked like it might have had a shot, I wonder what went wrong? 
 
In regards to a kiosk, I see them being heavily advertised in some of the publications I subscribe to, but I don't know. I would think that you would need to be in a high traffic flow area with more tech savvy people that like that kind of "thing". Myself, I can't stand buying anything with this fancy automated stuff, like the self checkout at the grocery store that rarely works properly. I only use them when the lines with the cashiers are to long and I only have a few items. Like I said, they rarely work for me and I usually need the gal to come and straighten out the machine. I'll pass, as I like the human interaction.
 
Mike
 

localnet


The old Automat, I remember those, always thought it was a cool idea and it was fun as a kid. To bad Bamn didn't make it, it looked like it might have had a shot, I wonder what went wrong? 

In regards to a kiosk, I see them being heavily advertised in some of the publications I subscribe to, but I don't know. I would think that you would need to be in a high traffic flow area with more tech savvy people that like that kind of "thing". Myself, I can't stand buying anything with this fancy automated stuff, like the self checkout at the grocery store that rarely works properly. I only use them when the lines with the cashiers are to long and I only have a few items. Like I said, they rarely work for me and I usually need the gal to come and straighten out the machine. I'll pass, as I like the human interaction.

Mike

You got it....Mike.
 
First you cannot replace the cherished memories with a change in the mix. Bamn lacked the community dining element. Too expensive to create that these days within the same concept. Many years have passed since the Automat. A new generation of customers. The novelty wears off. It was popular for a run. It had money behind the concept. Too many other options here that are just as quick if not quicker. People who do not want to be bothered with or by people do not live here....there are so many people to avoid. Tourists  want to experience NYC and may have been a little nervous about the concept.

WE have cold food machines in all of our employee break rooms. The concept is the same as the old automat idea, put your money in, slide the door open and take out you food. This has always been a good concept for our vending operation for employee snacks during off time when the Cafe is closed. We sell all kinds of muffins, breakfast sandwiches, Mexican entrees, hot pockets, pizza pockets, soup, milk, hamburgers, speciality sandwiches. I don't feel most people like eating out of the machines, they do take care of a need for the person that just wants a snack, or want to add a dessert item to their lunch. I have a full time vending manager that just takes care of over 40 vending machines. I guess you can say I am nickel and dimed to death, I'll take it any day of the week....................The bank counts it for me ..........Bill

I don't think you understand what nickel and dimed means.
The Automat/Bamn was not a vending machine system. Food was prepared fresh (by a person or persons behind the windows) and ready to go.

same concept, put money in, take food out................different apps for different locations and operations..............

Put money in take cold convenience food out.

Put money in, take out homemade soup................
Put money in, take out restaurant style Hamburger...........
Put money in, take out home made cakes and pies............
Put money in, take out food.............Case closed.................

You are talking about an automatic  vending machine filled with cold selections . This is not the same.

same concept, different app..............
An automat (sometimes referred to colloquially as a wall) is a fast food restaurant where simple foods and drink are served by coin-operated and bill-operated vending machines.
 
 

Explain how it is the same concept. The food delivery and payment system are all different and the majority of the menu selections are as well.
Vending machine in the post office box sense. Not automatic cold food vending machine sense.

How can you say the concept is different ?????????? I don't care what the menu is......in a Automat the food comes from a kitchen into a coin and dollar dispensing vending machine....................In my operation, the food comes for a Cafe and goes into a food dispensing vending machine,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Just because its not served up hot doesn't meant the concept isn't the same, its just a different process for off site vending of food........................

What are your health code requirements for loading an automatic vending machine with fresh food?
 
Outside of your deal what would the draw be for a quick trip to a kiosk for a cold hamburger? 

I never said it was the same as a Kiosk, I said it was a different concept to an old method of dispensing food. The automat served  hot or cold food in coin/ dollar (flip up glass door) operated vending machines. My method is taking Cafe and prewrapped foods and putting them in a coin/dollar operated vending machine. Depending on the food, it can be a cold food that is ready to eat, or a food that needs to be heated in a microwave..........

No you actually said it was the same concept different app.
 
What type of machines do you have and how often do they error out because of temperature?
 
You...the man who is always screaming about the temperature and the safe egg stuff?

My Cold food machines stay up to temp unless there is a power outage. In that case the machines will not dispense food until the food is checked and deemed to be safe to eat by our food safety educated staff. My machines are set up with a safety control that will shut down the machine when the temp reaches an unsafe cold food dispensing temperature. I have read in many books that they even do this in Trenton New Jersey, you may want to check with the local health dept, our may even know some one who lives there..."Just picking a random city out of my head"
Yes, I am the Man screaming for safe EGG temperatures, you see it's important to serve safe food, I find it keeps my business open longer. You should go out and buy yourself a food service operation some time, you may learn its a lot easier to tell others how to do it without really knowing the day to day hardships of a real operation. It may be good to put a bit of real sweat behind all of your book learned French Culinary Inst knowledge....................

They will not dispense if the temperature is off or the health dept is often wired in to the equipment. . That happens outside of power outage.There is always a risk involved in dispensing any food in any automatic system. An automatic system is a far cry from an Automat system with fresh prep and people on-site. That was the entire point. I have nothing to do with Trenton. Trenton has nothing to do with this topic.

My Cold food vending machines have been in 100% compliance for 15 years, can you say the same for a Automat operation. I know you don't have access to that information, but take a (FCI) educated guess.
  Come to think of it we had a hot dog vendor from Trenton, NJ, funny, with all your knowledge of hot dogs and hot dog operations you wouldn't know about his operation only 60 miles away. I guess it's a small world, yet so so big at times..............I think he would have enjoyed your input..............

Billy it is easy enough for Roadfood to know about Trenton Dog. Take it to Roadfood.

WE all know, you know how easy it is for RD to find out. Some people just thought it was kind of funny that you wouldn't know a Dogger from Trenton, just 60 mines away........................this has nothing to do with roadfood, just a simple question.............................Funny isn't it ????????
 

Well if it has nothing to do with the topic or Roadfood or how you think I am or know Trenton Dog then we can get back to the topic at hand. Or since you think Trenton Dog did something wrong by going off-topic to get personal with you...you stop. Or go to Roadfood.

My how we veer off track. The poor original poster thanked everyone for their time and feedback. NOT FOR YOUR IDEA. Or what YOU do.
Billy in your first post in this thread you sound bitter. Why are you pissed? Nickle and dimed...the bank counts it for me....what?
The guys' idea is that ordering and paying is self serve. Then you wait while the food is prepared fresh and HANDED TO YOU. No sliding of doors. No cold, dry, nasty hamburger heated in a microwave. You seem to miss the point a lot lately.
Unless you can't resist the opportunity to let the world know...again...about all your f'n machines.
We get it bro. You da man. How about some constructive feedback about the OP's idea???????????????????????????
Who wants to bet there'll be no response?????????????????
 

Thxs everyone. From earlier posts jumped on the bandwagon and made some money from food service
companies.

CCinNJ


Put money in take cold convenience food out.

In Michigan, these vending machines are known as "The Wheel of Death", for obvious reasons. I about fell over the first time I heard that. But having eaten out of some of these machines, I can agree with the terminology.
 
Mike

MikeinRI
Who wants to bet there'll be no response?????????????????
Didn't think so...............................
 
So true localnet..."the wheel of death"...lol
For kiosk food service the OP may have a good idea, but personally I'd rather deal with a person. I'm not crazy about the automatic check out at the market either. Besides, there's so many cute women in customer service...

localnet

CCinNJ


Put money in take cold convenience food out.

In Michigan, these vending machines are known as "The Wheel of Death", for obvious reasons. I about fell over the first time I heard that. But having eaten out of some of these machines, I can agree with the terminology.

Mike

I call it the Wheel of Fortune $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Mike, some people call food trailers "Roach Coaches" should I just figure because one food trailer is dirty and serves bad food that all food trailers are that way ?????????????????? should I call your food operation "Death on Wheels" ......................Or do you think we should judge the quality of each food service serparately ???? .......Bill

Quick Chek uses Retailix technology for the ordering system. No payment option...so same wait in line.
 
I  use the self-serve checkout at the grocery store with the coupons. Or it will turn into the line of riot.