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  • CASA Cleaners Achieves Operational Excellence Using Sudzy POS Software and Star Micronics Printers

    CASA Cleaners Achieves Operational Excellence Using Sudzy POS Software and Star Micronics Printers

    When Jordan Wachtell first acquired NYC-based CASA Cleaners, the goal was to provide many more customers in the Manhattan area with eco-friendly dry cleaning services that are 100% safe and non-toxic. By utilizing the newest cleaning machines, POS systems and printing technology, CASA Organic Dry Cleaners has become the fastest growing laundry and organic dry cleaning services in New York City.

    Serving residential customers, as well as sports clubs, hotels, universities, and residential buildings, Casa Cleaners offers organic cleaning and wet cleaning technology that is 100% safe, without the use of harmful or toxic chemicals. Additionally, CASA offers a wide range of custom tailoring services, as well as restoration services.

    Download Now: Dry Cleaning POS Software Checklist: 10 Things Not to Compromise On

    The Challenge

    Casa-Cleaners-2-e1574805250581

    Managing a growing business in New York City required more advanced point of sale (POS) software than what CASA had. The old PC computer hard drives they were using kept breaking down, requiring the cleaners to rely on backup drives. The inefficient manual processes and unreliable technology they were stuck with caused them to lose a considerable amount of valuable time, and even worse, customer orders.

    Not only were they plagued with lost data due to hard drive failures, their legacy POS software didn’t allow CASA to connect with customers via texting or mobile apps, which stifled business growth. CASA needed a modern cloud-based POS that could handle the high volume of their business and streamline processes, with reliable data storage and accessibility.

    The Solution

    After researching the most advanced POS system for dry cleaners, CASA chose to implement Sudzy POS on iPads, a Star Micronics SP742 tag printer, two Star Micronics TSP654II ticket printers, and a cash register. Two full stations were implemented, and two additional iPads were purchased for racking and scanning laundry bags.

    Sudzy POS was chosen for its cloud-based data storage, user-friendly interface, two-way texting to customers, scanning capabilities for data entry, and its ability to be customized as needs grow. The Star Micronics printers were selected for the seamless integration with the POS and the fast ticket and tag printing they offer.

    The installation took one week, and it took two weeks total before CASA was able to go live with the solution. The training required was minimal, as each component of the solution was designed to be intuitive and user-friendly.

    Casa-Cleaners-3-e1574805268700Results

    With the Sudzy POS software and Star Micronics printers, CASA cleaners has been able to revolutionize their business processes to be much more competitive, running three times as fast and adding 25%-30% profitability. Staff can use iPad POS to safely store and backup data in the cloud, which eliminated any lost orders or data issues. The Sudzy software and advanced Bluetooth printing from the Star Micronics printers has considerably decreased the time it takes for CASA to print tags and customer tickets, allowing them to print as-needed.

    Orders can now be scanned and entered, or delivered to the POS directly from the Sudzy connected app, or customers can text orders to CASA. Because of this, staff members no longer have to answer customer pickup calls and manually enter in the information every time, and instead are free to process more orders more quickly. Text notifications sent directly to customers when an order is ready for pick up or is on its way for delivery has improved overall customer service.

    Delivery drivers have benefitted from the installation as well, enjoying instant access to information on mobile devices. Additionally, CASA plans on adding a mobile printing feature for further ease of delivery. The Sudzy delivery apps can be used on drivers’ mobile devices to assist with delivery, and eliminate the need for paper for an even more eco-friendly operation.

    The Sudzy POS software also provides a wealth of data and reporting, which gives CASA a real-time view of operations, so they can better diagnose bottlenecks and make informed decisions. Overall, CASA Cleaners has been able to see a very quick return on investment, saving both time and labor, and allowing the business to operate at a much faster and more profitable pace.

    Download the Complete Success Story Now



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  • Star Micronics Launches New mC-Sound Kitchen Buzzer

    Star Micronics Launches New mC-Sound Kitchen Buzzer

    Star Micronics answers the call for a reliable, modern and customizable method of alerting kitchen staff to incoming orders

    Somerset, NJ – July 24, 2019 – Star Micronics, a leading global manufacturer of mobile, point of sale (POS), and customer engagement technologies, is pleased to announce the arrival of the mC-Sound, an evolved model of the standard kitchen buzzer.

    The new mC-Sound can be easily installed into the mC-Print3 kitchen and receipt printer, and is designed to further enhance the printer’s functionality by offering an ideal way to alert staff of incoming orders, even in the busiest, high-decibel kitchen environments.

    The buzzer provides a high level of information, including order type, order source, and order urgency level. The distinguished sounds allow kitchen staff to instantly understand what is being ordered, if it is coming from in-house or a specific online ordering application, and what priority it is. Users can choose from a variety of sound types and volumes, and ISVs can assign individual sounds to different order types and playback sounds sent from a host device.

    Capable of more customization than ever before, the mC-Sound comes pre-loaded with 16 sounds, and also allows for users to upload or record their own custom message.

    The next-level buzzer is complete with a blue LED which illuminates during sound playback for an added visual notification, yet it features an unobtrusive design that blends in with the printer when not in use. The mC-Sound easily fastens on the outer surface of the printer, but can also be hidden within the printer itself for a smaller footprint without sacrificing sound quality.

    “We wanted to address the issues of low sound quality, complex installation, and lack of various sounds that the optional BU01 buzzer had,” commented Christophe Naasz, the Director of Business Development at Star Micronics. “The mC-Sound offers the perfect solution to meet the needs of the industry and further improve the performance of the mC-Print3. Now kitchen staff can understand what food is being ordered, and from where – all from a single sound.”

  • Join Star Micronics at RSPA RetailNOW 2019

    Join Star Micronics at RSPA RetailNOW 2019

    Somerset, NJ – July 22, 2019 – Star Micronics, a leading global manufacturer of mobile, point of sale (POS), and customer engagement technology solutions will be showcasing and demonstrating a range of featured products and software at RSPA RetailNOW at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, TX, from July 28th through the 31st. RSPA is the only association dedicated to connecting players in the Point of Sale technology industry. Star Micronics will be exhibiting at booth #214.

    Featured products and services include:

    • PromoPRNT – a seamless way for retailers to create and design printed promotions and receipts.
    • mUnite stands – durable steel POS solution stands that offers both function and style.
    • mCollection – a collection of durable, stylish printers and accessories designed to be easy to use.
    • CloudPRNT – a modern way for users to print to Star printers directly through a cloud service.

    Star Micronics will also be hosting the following partners in their booth:

    • Zuza on mPOP – Zuza works with hundreds of processors and ISVs making its sales channels one of the fastest growing in the industry.
    • Vend on mC-Print2 and mC-Print3 – Vend is the retail management software that’s taken retail to the cloud.
    • OrderOut on mC-Print3 – OrderOut integrates third party food delivery platforms directly to a restaurant’s Point of Sale and kitchen printer.
    • eMobilePOS on TSP654II BTi – A pioneer and leader in mobile POS, eMobile offers full-featured mobile POS software for Android, Apple iOS, and Windows smartphones and tablets.
    • eTouchMenu and Kiosk Innovations on SK1-21 and SK1-31 – eTouchMenu is a pioneer in digital menu technology, transforming traditional paper menus into immersive digital menu experiences. Kiosk Innovations is a self service interactive kiosk manufacturer that designs and fabricates bill pay financial kiosk, retail kiosk, check-in kiosk, ticketing kiosk, and more.
    • Cravrr on mG-S8200 – Cravrr is an Android-based POS that helps customers to digitize their restaurants.

    “The RSPA RetailNOW show allows Star to connect with industry leaders, our many ISV and VAR partners, as well as form new connections,” says Michael Flores, Channel Partner Manager for Star Micronics. “I look forward to joining the Star team at this event and showcasing our innovative mCollection line, along with learning what is next for point of sale.”

    Star Micronics would also like to invite attendees and exhibitors to join them for their Star Partner Party on Sunday, July 28th at 8:00pm CST at Mad Dogs. Please click here to register.

  • What to Expect from Star at RetailNOW 2019

    What to Expect from Star at RetailNOW 2019

    It’s hard to believe it, but it’s almost time for RSPA RetailNOW 2019! RSPA is the only association dedicated to connecting players in the point of sale technology industry, and we’re excited to attend. The show, which is being held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, will take place July 28th through the 31st.

    So – what’s new with Star this year at RetailNOW? We’re glad you asked. Check out the featured products and services below that we’ll be demonstrating:

    PromoPRNT

    PromoPRNT allows retailers to automatically create printed promotions in addition to receipts. These incentives and bonuses are delivered directly to shoppers’ hands, boosting customer retention and notifying customers of new deals and promotions.

    mUnite Stands

    Built to accompany the mCollection line of mPOS printers, cash drawers, scales, and peripherals, these durable steel stands are compatible with any tablet manufacturer, are easy to set up, and come in either black or white to match existing POS systems.mUnite-Launch-1-e1574805037623

    mCollection

    A collection of durable, stylish printers and accessories designed to be easy to use. The collection also provides easy integration for ISVs through Star’s SDK software.

    m-collection_new-star-e1574805061425

    CloudPRNT

    A modern way for users to print to Star printers directly through a cloud service. CloudPRNT eliminates the need for an extra tablet to send an online order to the printer. Instead, the ordering service will be able to communicate directly to the printer.

    Star-CloudPRNT-Logo-FINAL-May2019-e1574805077699

    We’ll also be highlighting solutions from some of our partners, including:

    • Zuza on mPOP: Zuza works with hundreds of processors and ISVs making its sales channels one of the fastest growing in the industry.Zuza-Hi-Def-Web-Logo-Normal-1000x431-e1574805096914
    • Vend on mC-Print2 and mC-Print3: Vend is the retail management software that’s taken retail to the cloud.Vend-Logo-e1574800878579
    • OrderOut on mC-Print3: OrderOut integrates third party food delivery platforms directly to a restaurant’s Point of Sale and kitchen printer.orderout_logo_red-e1574805128274
    • eMobilePOS on TSP654II BTi: A pioneer and leader in mobile POS, eMobile offers full-featured mobile POS software for Android, Apple iOS, and Windows smartphones and tablets.emobilepos-logo_new_low-res-e1574805143373
    • eTouchMenu and Kiosk Innovations on SK1-21 and SK1-31: eTouchMenu is a pioneer in digital menu technology, transforming traditional paper menus into immersive digital menu experiences. Kiosk Innovations is a self-service interactive kiosk manufacturer that designs and fabricates bill pay financial kiosk, retail kiosk, check-in kiosk, ticketing kiosk, and more.eTouchMenu-Logo-e1574805159527Kiosk-Innovations-Logo-e1574805174361
    • Cravrr on mG-S8200: Cravrr is an Android-based POS that helps customers to digitize their restaurants.Cravrr-Logo

    See you at the show!

  • TOA/MoCA Mixes it Up With Online Ordering, Star Micronics Printers

    TOA/MoCA Mixes it Up With Online Ordering, Star Micronics Printers

    TOA (Taste of Asia) Asian Fusion is a family-owned Asian restaurant that is known for its sushi, poke bowls, and delicious dumplings. The restaurants are a popular institution in Long Island, NY, with the first location opening three years ago and expanding to two additional restaurants in neighboring towns.

    The family also owns a second group of restaurants, called MoCA Asian Bistro. There are five MoCA locations, one in Forest Hills, Queens, and four more in Long Island. The Forest Hills location is so popular, it expanded into an adjacent storefront, adding 2,000 square feet to its dining room in 2017.

    The Situation

    TOA-Case-Study-3-e1574804988892

    TOA and MoCA are busy, fine dining restaurants with a large customer following. Although on-premise diners regularly crowd into the restaurants, the eateries are situated in bustling commercial areas and get a rush of lunchtime take-out orders too.

    TOA and MoCA were using their staff and phone lines to take the orders, but the phone bills for multiple lines and payroll expenses soared to unmanageable levels. As orders continued to pour in during lunch shifts, the restaurant’s owners and management team started looking for a way to cut costs. An online ordering system that would reduce the restaurant’s overhead, while providing a better customer service experience for patrons, seemed to be the only solution.

    And why not? Technology-driven customers, especially millennials, love online ordering. This valuable functionality allows diners to enter their orders online through the restaurant’s website, pay, and send orders automatically to the kitchen. Customers have more control over the ordering process and can peruse the menu at their own pace, securely process their payments, and never waste time on hold or redialing when there’s a busy signal.

    The Solution

    The team chose the Munch online ordering system to be incorporated into their take out business in every location. The feature-rich software allows restaurants to build customized websites with an online ordering platform. Unlike more expensive online ordering and delivery services, Munch doesn’t charge hefty commission like other online ordering platform, it only costs $89 a month for the basic plan, and $129 for the feast plan.

    Is Your Restaurant Ready for the Growing Online Ordering Trend?

    Recently, TOA upgraded their printers to the Star Micronics mC-Print3 to save counter space in their eateries. The mC-Print3 has a stylish cube design that was created for busy kitchens and space-conscious restaurants. The mC-Print3 includes a “protected” control board and IPX2 splash-proof rating, to guard against spills and particles that fly in even the most well-run kitchens.

    With a setup that takes less than a minute and receipts that are generated quickly, TOA staff says the new printer is better than any other receipt printer they have worked with. The mC-Print3 has a 3-inch compact footprint, fast 250 mm/second printing, and front feed and paper loading for high-quality receipts and graphics.

    TOA’s ownership is also using Munch’s email marketing services, so the restaurants can issue discount codes, coupons, and points to new and returning customers. Munch built TOA’s entire website and assisted the team with branding, online ordering apps, and marketing. The electronic platform also allows the restaurants to save money on printing menus and other marketing materials.

    The chain’s first location was installed and live within a week. The drag-and-drop software is easy to learn and use, so there was no formal training necessary, and the remaining restaurants went online two days later.

    Free Online Ordering Resources

    Social distancing has deeply affected our customers in the restaurant industry. That’s why Star Micronics is offering free online ordering resources for VARs and ISVs helping restaurants navigate the implementation of online ordering.



    Download Online Ordering Toolbox

    TOA-Case-Study-2-e1574805004338

    Results

    After implementing the online ordering software, the restaurant’s ownership was able to drastically reduce the number of cashiers and phone lines, which saves them over $10,000 every month.

    The restaurants have also seen an uptick in order accuracy and efficiency, especially for larger orders. With a large volume of business coming from nearby offices, it’s not uncommon for the restaurant to receive orders for hundreds of dollars’ worth of food. That’s a lot of opportunity for mistakes, which cost time, resources, and energy to correct. The Munch system gives the customers control over their orders, so there are fewer mistakes made while inputting the orders. Tickets are sent directly to the kitchen, so the number of customer complaints has declined as orders are being taken, prepared, and delivered faster and more accurately.

    Munch’s loyalty and marketing support through the online ordering app also increases customer engagement by offering discounts and reward points for purchases that can be redeemed by returning customers.



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  • Star Micronics and OrderOut Improve Upon Online Ordering for the Restaurant and Quick Service Market

    Star Micronics and OrderOut Improve Upon Online Ordering for the Restaurant and Quick Service Market

    OrderOut, paired with Star Micronics CloudPRNT printers, helps restaurants to streamline online orders and increase efficiency

    Somerset, NJ – July 11, 2019 – Star Micronics, a leading manufacturer of mobile, point of sale (POS), and customer engagement technologies, is proud to announce that OrderOut has added support for the Star mC-Print3, TSP654II, and SP742 printers, all with CloudPRNT technology. OrderOut works with third-party online ordering platforms and the restaurant point of sale (POS) to consolidate all platforms onto one device.

    OrderOut provides direct integration into the POS, eliminating the need for separate tablets for each third-party online ordering system being used at the restaurant. When online orders are placed, OrderOut detects the order and instantly transfers it to the POS and kitchen printer. The platform also automatically accepts orders based on your current menu and availability, and maps the restaurant menu from the POS and food delivery services directly into the OrderOut system.

    Star Micronics CloudPRNT technology makes accepted and printing online orders easy for restaurants and food service operations. CloudPRNT is embedded in Star’s mC-Print3, TSP654II, and SP742 printers. The mC-Print3 is Star’s newest thermal printer that is perfect for restaurant environments, with a splash-proof and insect-proof design. The SP742 is Star’s impact printer, ideal to environments with high heat and humidity. CloudPRNT works with the online ordering service to store and create print jobs, and communicate status with the printer.

    “We are thrilled to partner with Star Micronics to provide the best possible solution for the ‘tablet nightmare’ restaurants experience with third party food delivery platforms. The direct integration with the Star Micronics printers allows us to address the entire market by not having to integrate directly with every POS, while still providing an amazing solution,” says Zack Martin, CEO and Co-Founder of OrderOut.  “We have already received tremendous interest with the product and we’re excited to see it finally help restaurants optimize their third-party food delivery operations. The benefits are vast but include not having to manage incoming orders and tablets, and the ability to add more third party food delivery services without the added operational issues.”

  • The 5 Top Blogs from the First Half of 2019

    The 5 Top Blogs from the First Half of 2019

    Time is flying, and it’s hard to believe the first half of 2019 is behind us. It’s even harder to believe how much can happen in the point of sale world in just six short months. On the Star Micronics Blog, we strive to cover a variety of the industry’s hottest topics, and in the first half of the year, we published 43 blogs – but which were the most popular? Let’s explore the top 5 blog posts from the first half of the year!

    Millennial-Eating-Habits-e1574804729898

    #1. Millennials’ Eating Habits: How They’re Changing the Food Industry

    If there’s one generation that makes headlines, it’s millennials. According to the 2015 U.S. Census, there are 75.4 million millennials living in the country, officially making them the largest generation in the States. If you operate a restaurant, it’s worth paying attention to what millennials do and want – especially when you consider that they spend more dining out than they save for retirement. In this blog post, you will find the top four things millennials are seeking when it comes to dining out – and how these changes are affecting the food industry.

    Read More

    Stadium-e1574804750529

    #2. 5 “Must-Haves” for Stadium Point of Sale

    When visiting a large sports stadium or entertainment arena, you often find long lines for food and merchandise during half-time or intermissions. The people attending these professional sports games or concerts paid good money to see their team play or favorite artist perform, and they don’t want to miss a thing. This puts a huge amount of pressure on the employees working the concession stands or merchandise shops to complete the customer’s order as quickly as possible. A lot of this workflow plays into the stadium point of sale (POS) system being used. Here are 5 “must-haves” when looking for a POS system for sports and entertainment venues.

    Read More

    Online-Food-Ordering-Infographic-e1574804768197

    #3. Infographic: The Rise of Online Ordering

    If you’re looking to learn more about the online ordering industry as a whole, you’re at the right place. This online ordering infographic explores the history of online ordering, industry key players and revenues, customer demographics, and more – including what point of sale features restaurants looking to jump into the growing industry should look for. Enjoy!

    View Infographic

    NRF-2019-e1574804785473

    #4. NRF 2019 Recap: The Point of Sale of the Future

    In January, we had the pleasure of attending and exhibiting at NRF 2019 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. The Star family was set up at booth #3601, and also took some time to explore the show floor and learn even more about the latest trends in retail. Here’s a look back at what we demonstrated in our booth, as well as some of the key trends we noticed around the show.

    Read More

    Watch our video recap of the show:

    cannabis-dispensaries-america-e1574804801286

    #5. 5 of the Most Beautiful Cannabis Dispensaries in America

    The cannabis industry is huge in the United States – and it’s just getting started. In 2017, the industry employed 121,000 people and took in roughly $9 billion in sales. With more and more states legalizing its use, those numbers are expected to steadily rise and many more cannabis dispensaries will surely open their doors. Curious about the dispensaries already in operation? In this blog, take a look at five of the most beautiful cannabis dispensaries in America.

    Read More

    Want to learn more about how Star innovates in the point of sale space? Browse our resource library, full of free eBooks, case studies, brochures, and more!

  • Star Micronics and Craver to Provide Custom Mobile Solutions for Restaurants

    Star Micronics and Craver to Provide Custom Mobile Solutions for Restaurants

    Craver, along with Star Micronics CloudPRNT technology equips restaurants with easy, integrated online ordering from a custom mobile app

    Somerset, NJ – July 10, 2019 – Star Micronics, a leading manufacturer of mobile, point of sale (POS), and customer engagement technologies, is proud to announce that Craver will be supporting Star’s new mC-Print3 with CloudPRNT technology. Craver, along with Star’s mC-Print3 with CloudPRNT will enable restaurants to easily accept and print mobile orders through iOS or Android devices.

    Craver provides customized apps on a monthly subscription basis for restaurants. They create custom apps to fit the needs of their customers’ business with POS system and payment integration. The app also includes an integrated loyalty and rewards program that makes it easy for customers to collect and redeem rewards. Craver helps restaurants increase profits by not only enabling mobile ordering, but by also sending customers push notifications to notify them of customized deals and promotions, encouraging them to place more orders.

    Star Micronics new mC-Print3 is sleek, compact, and connected with CloudPRNT support and Hub functionality to power up to 3 peripherals using USB connectivity. The CloudPRNT technology enables users to print orders to Star printers directly through a cloud service. CloudPRNT will work with Craver to store and create print jobs, and communicate status with the mC-Print3. This eliminates the need for an extra tablet in the restaurant to send an online order to the printer.

    “Star Micronics CloudPRNT technology enables Craver customers to receive their mobile and web orders directly on their Star printers without any additional hardware, increasing the restaurants efficiency,” said Amin Yazdani, CEO of Craver Solutions Inc. “Together, Star Micronics and Craver make the mobile-order processing easy for restaurants.”

  • Star Micronics Reveals the New mUnite mPOS Solution Stands

    Star Micronics Reveals the New mUnite mPOS Solution Stands

    Take back your counter space with the sleek mUnite Stands and mCollection devices from Star

    Somerset, NJ – July 9, 2019 – Star Micronics, a leading global manufacturer of mobile, point of sale (POS), and customer engagement technologies, is pleased to announce the addition of the mUnite solution stand series to its mCollection lineup. The mUnite stands are designed to deliver a space-saving cable management solution with a clean aesthetic, bundling all point of sale devices into one visually cohesive solution.

    The mUnite stands offer retailers, restaurateurs, and hospitality providers a way to optimize counter space, while modernizing the aesthetic of the point of sale. The definition of function and style, mUnite POS solution stands are built to accompany the mCollection line of mPOS printers, cash drawers, scales, and peripherals. With three models available, mUnite 3 for the mC-Print3, mUnite POP for the mPOP, and the mUnite POS for the TSP143III/TSP654II, business owners can choose which stand best suits their new or existing point of sale hardware.

    Featuring a cable-free construction, the stands are cleverly designed to hide all of the cables that keep devices connected and route power supplies under the counter, increasing available counter space and decreasing clutter. Star’s new stands allow users to merge individual peripherals into one frame in a quick, easy, and clean setup.

    Constructed from durable steel, the mUnite stands are compatible with any tablet enclosure featuring a 75- or 100-millimeter VESA mount, and are available in black or white. Customers may use their own tablet enclosure or purchase an optional enclosure from Star Micronics. A range of the most common tablet enclosures will be offered by Star Micronics, including enclosures for various generations of iPad, Samsung Tab, Microsoft Surface Go, and Microsoft Surface Pro. Please contact the Star Micronics sales team for more information.

    Two additional accessories can be purchased separately, in a black or white finish that matches the mUnite stand. The first is a customer-facing VESA mount (75-millimeter or 100-millimeter) that accommodates a tablet that can be used in addition to the standard point of sale tablet. The second accessory is a blank customer-facing branding plate, which can display a brand logo at the point of sale.

    “We are providing a flexible solution stand that can accommodate any tablet and is seamless in both form and function,” said Michael Hanson, the Executive Vice President at Star Micronics. “The mUnite POS solution stands provide the versatile, modern, and practical cable management that the industry needs.”

  • 3 Ways Restaurant Kiosks Can Prepare You for the Future

    3 Ways Restaurant Kiosks Can Prepare You for the Future

    This is the third and final part of “The Benefits of Self-Service Kiosks,” a three-part blog series about the many ways self-service kiosk technology is improving businesses, communities, the customer experience, and more.

    When it comes to operating a restaurant, it’s not just a matter of surviving today, you need to thrive well into the future. It’s certainly an interesting time for the hospitality industry as a whole: We’re in the beginning stages of a restaurant technology boom which has been flagged with the phrase, “evolve or die.” Although that term may sound scary, there’s an easy way to prepare your restaurant for the future: with self-service kiosks!

    Here’s Why You Should Leverage Kiosks for Self-Ordering in Hospitality.

    Read on to discover how kiosk technology can help restaurants ride the new wave of hospitality and create a fast-track to success.

    Out with the Old, in with the New

    As a restaurant, a key audience to keep your focus on is millennials. With an approximate headcount of 80 million in the U.S. alone, millennials (or those born between the years 1981 and 1996) are officially the largest living generation and have surpassed baby boomers in buying power. Simply put, millennials are shaping today’s and tomorrow’s restaurants.

    Still not sold on adapting your business model to accommodate these folks? Think again: According to Bernstein researchers, millennials, more than any other generation, are more likely to value eating out, and they are more likely to gather at eateries than bars.

    It’s a perfect opportunity for restaurants: the largest living generation loves to eat out more than any other age group. But what do millennials value, and how is the restaurant experience shifting as new trends emerge and baby boomer trends recede? According to Convince & Convert and Salesforce, here are some top emerging trends among the younger generations:

    • When choosing a restaurant, Gen Z and Millennials are 99% more likely to rely on social media and online reviews than Gen X and Baby Boomers
    • 33% of Generation Z say ads cause them to usually (or always) try new things, compared with 21% of Americans overall
    • Millennials value smart self-service solutions

    When it comes to kiosks, millennials play a very important role. Because they grew up with device access at all times – from ‘90s PCs to today’s smart devices – millennials are more comfortable with non-verbal communication than previous generations and value the opportunity to solve issues on their own. Furthermore, 91% of millennials polled in a study by Retale said they have used a self-service kiosk, and 20% claim they don’t like interacting with cashiers at checkout.

    The largest generation with the most buying power values convenience and technology. What better way to marry the two than by adopting self-service kiosks?

    Free Self-Service Kiosk Resources

    The future of many industries lies with self-service solutions. That’s why Star Micronics is offering free online ordering resources for resellers and software developers who are helping customers future-proof their businesses with self-service solutions.



    Visit Self-Service Toolbox

    Drive Digital Adoption – for ALL Customers

    We just spoke a lot about the millennial generation – but kiosk technology isn’t only for them. In fact, kiosks drive digital adoption (or, the ability to take advantage of all that technology has to offer) for a variety of customers.

    From retirees to those who aren’t native English speakers, thanks to their ease of communication and ability to serve the underserved, kiosks are a beneficial trend for everyone. It’s never been easier to improve the restaurant experience across demographics!

    Streamline the Digital Experience

    As we discussed above, the digital transformation that’s unfolding before our eyes is causing previously unrelated realms to merge. Dining out isn’t simply driving to a restaurant anymore: it’s a multi-faceted digital decision. Social media, web-based reviews, online ordering applications and websites, and more all contribute to the question, “What’s for dinner tonight?”

    Kiosks, like Flash Order’s, can play an important part in this digital shift. By matching your in-restaurant kiosk’s user experience to your mobile website and/or application, you cultivate customer familiarity and create a seamlessly intuitive, convenient, and well-branded dynamic.

    Kiosks: The Gateway to the Future

    In short, self-service kiosks enable restaurants to stay current with trends as older ways of business fade away, and their ease-of-use encourages everyone to utilize technology, not just millennials and early adopters. There’s simply no reason to not implement technology that benefits businesses and customers alike.

    Looking to implement a self-service solution? Download our free Guide to Selecting the Right Kiosk Printer.



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