Star Micronics

Tag: QSR & Fast Casual

  • 3 Reasons Why ISOs Must Transform Into More Than Merchant Service Providers

    3 Reasons Why ISOs Must Transform Into More Than Merchant Service Providers

    Independent sales organizations (ISOs) and member service providers (MSPs) are companies that have developed partnerships with certain financial institutions to provide services to merchants. In the past, this was enough. The market wasn’t as competitive, and business models were simple and effective.

    That has all changed, however. ISOs can no longer survive in the current market just selling merchant services. In order to survive and thrive in an ever-changing industry, ISOs must provide comprehensive market solutions, for example bundling point of sale (POS) systems and add-on services like mobile and online ordering.

    Partnering with an independent software vendor (ISV) allows an organization to bundle merchant services with other critical software solutions and hardware systems and sell them as a package deal to customers. This newer, more flexible business model is necessary in order to get ahead.

    Credit-Card-in-Hand

    Here’s Why: The Market is Growing Too Competitive

    In the past, it was common for ISOs and MSPs to reduce their rates in order to get more business. This was a smart move, as it allowed them to beat out the competition. Now, however, the market is much more competitive, oversaturated with ISOs and MSPs competing with one another for a limited pool of clients. Low rates, if that’s all you can offer, aren’t enough on their own to win out against the competition—it’s no longer a realistic option. If rates continue to get lower and lower, the market won’t be sustainable.

    A better option would be to provide additional software and services that are highly-coveted by your clients. Technology solutions like POS or add-on services with integrated payments offer major benefits to your clients. The ability to stay with one provider for both technology solutions and merchant services is appealing to business owners, who often find it difficult to manage so many separate accounts with multiple providers.

    ISOs are Getting Sold Around—Credit Card Companies and VARs

    New payment providers are bundling their software solutions with integrated payments and selling directly to end-users. To compete with this, ISOs must do the same. Rather than letting this drive them out, ISOs can capitalize on this by partnering with software integrators or ISVs that have already partnered with their payment service of choice.

    By partnering with an ISV, you can integrate payments and solutions and sell them as a bundled solution. What’s more is that you can have your merchant services bundled and sold through the ISV’s network of dealers, and you can act as a dealer within the ISV’s network. Whether you sell the bundled solutions yourself, or they are sold through a dealer, you will be reaping profits.

    You Must Remain Agile or You Will Become Obsolete

    The landscape of the industry is consistently changing. ISOs that are locked into the same business model they’ve used for years will end up being edged out by more agile organizations that are able to adapt to the changing needs and growing demands of clients. In essence, ISOs must provide more value to survive.

    Because you can no longer remain competitive just by reducing rates, you need to provide additional value beyond payments, and extend your offerings into a portfolio of solutions that are designed to help your clients overcome other business challenges. Not only will this allow you to bring on new clients, but it also unlocks the potential to sell deeper into existing accounts.

    Financial-Solutions

    To Do This:

    • Take a consulting role: Your clients look to you for guidance and expertise. Discuss their individual business needs and the
      challenges they face, and guide them towards solutions that help them overcome these challenges.
    • Offer solutions and services: Provide payment-embedded POS systems, online ordering solutions, and other consultative services. This can include assistance and guidance on things like marketing, or solutions for loyalty and gift card
      program management.
    • Consider support services: Many don’t have the time to manage, update, and troubleshoot technology on their own. Often, they don’t have the in-house resources necessary to solve issues quickly enough to prevent significant downtime and profit loss. Offer comprehensive support and services, which will increase uptime for your clients and help them stay productive. These services can be offered by your ISV or payment partner.

    To learn more about each tactic, download our full eBook, “3 Reasons why ISOs Must Become More than Merchant Service Providers.”

    Person-Using-Tablet

    How Star Can Help

    Star Micronics maintains a vast array of partnerships with ISVs. This allows ISVs and all the dealers in their channel to include Star Micronics hardware in their bundled solutions. Our hardware integrates with 90% of all POS software in the marketplace, as well as the latest cutting-edge technology to keep customers ahead of the competition.

    Our experts have extensive knowledge in the following markets:

    Leverage our expertise to determine the technology solutions your clients are looking for, and we can help you offer the right products and services to meet their needs. Star Micronics provides bundled peripherals and accessories with a sleek, modern aesthetic for POS, as well as marketing and consultation support. By partnering with Star Micronics, you can increase your portfolio, your customer satisfaction, and your profits.

    To discover the rest of our tips and take your ISO business to the next level, download the full eBook, “3 Reasons why ISOs Must Become More than Merchant Service Providers.”

    Download eBook

  • 4 Survival Tips for Restaurants During COVID-19

    4 Survival Tips for Restaurants During COVID-19

    You are already aware of the impact that coronavirus (COVID-19) is making on restaurants across the world. Unfortunately, this crisis has put a halt on practically all dine-in service, leaving restaurants dependent on alternative service options like delivery, takeout, and curbside pickup. While this is a difficult time, there are several ways for restaurants to keep business flowing. Read on to discover four survival tips for restaurants during COVID-19 – and beyond.

    1. Set Up Food Delivery

    Simply put, if you own a restaurant and you don’t already have a food delivery solution established, now is the time to get it set up – and set up fast.

    Implementing third-party food delivery services such as DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats is the easiest way to accomplish this task in a timely and effective manner. These service providers not only feature thousands of couriers, but also millions of customers ready to order with a simple tap on their smartphone. As customers across the globe practice social distancing, they are turning to food delivery not only because dine-in establishments are off-limits, but to feed their families without the risk of leaving their home. Many third-party delivery providers are also offering promotions to mitigate restaurants’ financial burden during this difficult time, which can make setting up a new service a more feasible option for you right now.

    Establishing a third-party delivery solution can be simple. With Star Micronics CloudPRNT, your restaurant’s printer can fetch orders directly from the third-party service, with no local tablet, software, or SSL certificate required. Simply prepare the orders as they are received and have a delivery driver already on the way.

    Do you already have food delivery set up? It’s the perfect time to improve upon it. Now more than ever, restaurants need to think about how to optimize their operation for third-party food delivery. OrderOut provides a solution to do just that, by automatically detecting third-party orders, instantly transferring them to your POS and kitchen printer, and providing detailed delivery partner and food data in an easy-to-use, at-a-glance dashboard.

    Free Resources During COVID-19 & Beyond

    Now more than ever, safety is a priority in retail and hospitality environments. Star Micronics is proud to offer a line of solutions and resources for businesses during this challenging time, designed to keep consumers and employees safe, as well as mitigate business impact caused by COVID-19.

    Visit Our Health & Safety Toolbox

    2. Take Advantage of Takeout

    Delivery is not the only way to get food into your customer’s hands: takeout is another great option.

    During COVID-19, many states and localities are mandating that restaurants do not have any in-person customers. However, there are still ways for customers to come pick up their meals from your restaurant – without making any physical contact.

    One option for this is establishing a curbside pickup option. For curbside pickup, customers can place their orders online or over the phone, and when they arrive to your door they can remain in their vehicle as one of your staff members brings the food outside in a safe, hygienic manner. Restaurants during COVID-19 can take curbside pickup a step further by:

    • Allocating nearby parking spots for curbside pickup orders
    • Designating staff to watch for customer vehicles (and take down the vehicle’s make, model, and color during order-taking)
    • Encourage and communicate the option to pay over the phone to limit physical contact during pickup
    • If customers want to pay in-person, offer mobile payments to minimize trips back into the restaurant
    • Invest in high-quality insulated and ventilated takeout containers
    • Don’t forget to communicate your curbside pickup service to your customers via email, social media, and your website

    3. Do the Math

    Once you have signed up for third-party food delivery and established a curbside pickup plan, you need to start thinking about the economics of the situation, such as your margins and how many staff you need to make this all happen.

    To bolster your margins, a good rule of thumb is to avoid putting items on your delivery service’s menus that you’re not going to make money on. You get the freedom to create your own menus, so make sure they make sense economically and you’re making money on every order. Get a calculator or set up a spreadsheet and do the math!

    4. Choose Your Staff Wisely

    At the end of the day, your restaurant depends on having professional, personable, and appropriately skilled staff. It’s wise to take a moment to consider your labor expenses and how that aligns with what skillset you need during this unique time. For example, you probably don’t need a five-star chef on hand in your kitchen to ship out chicken fingers, and people probably aren’t going to be ordering designer cakes during this time. Adapt your business and hire good, hard-working people that can make the food that will keep customers coming back for more from your restaurant!

    At Star Micronics, our hearts go out to anyone impacted by COVID-19, either directly or indirectly, especially to those who are sick, to whom we extend our heartfelt wishes for a full recovery. To learn more about what we are doing as an organization to reduce the global impact of COVID-19, in terms of health and business, please click here.

    To browse all of our blog posts covering tips for small businesses during COVID-19, please visit our #StarForSmallBiz blog collection.

    Star is proud to offer reliable, modern POS solutions to restaurants, QSRs, and more.

    Download POS Brochure

  • 3 Innovative Kiosk Solutions You Should Consider in 2020

    3 Innovative Kiosk Solutions You Should Consider in 2020

    Self-service solutions, like many other technologically intensive solutions, are becoming smarter and better designed due to the unstoppable improvement of the available tools and the involvement of more experienced participants in the sector. The sustained increased demand for innovative kiosk solutions is also a factor as it provides the resources to keep the cycle going.So, you may be asking yourself: why are kiosks becoming so popular, and which new solutions should I consider offering to my customers this year? Read on to find out.

    Why Kiosks?

    As consumers become more aware of the advantages of self-service kiosks – like more accurate ordering and easier order customization – merchants are becoming more open to considering them as a part of their operations.

    By choosing to implement kiosk technology, merchants not only improve their customers’ experience, but also positively affect their operation’s bottom line with automated and optimized processes designed for success. And calculating the ROI (return on investment) of kiosks isn’t ambiguous: understanding the value has become easier than ever with the ever-increasing availability of business intelligence reporting within the kiosk itself.

    With innovative kiosk solutions available for virtually any market – restaurant/QSR, retail, hospitals, and even corporate office buildings – it’s important to note that not all kiosks are created equal, and kiosk solutions can be customized to meet your customer’s specific needs. Below are three innovative kiosk solutions you should consider in 2020:

    1. Intelligent Queue Management Systems

    The process of pulling a preprinted number through a fixed dispenser with the sole purpose of organizing customers into an orderly queue is a thing of the past thanks to kiosks. Intelligent and feature-rich solutions are now available to bring value to both merchants and most importantly, their customers.

    Customer-facing features like being able to check on current queue times from home, getting in line before arriving to the premises, scheduling an appointment remotely, checking in upon arrival through a mobile app, and receiving notifications for scheduled appointments and the best route to follow considering traffic are just a few things already possible through the use of the currently available smart queue management solutions. It’s important to remember to include walk-in customers in your kiosk considerations too and be sure the kiosk is capable of issuing receipts, service tickets, and more at each location for those who did not take advantage of the remote features of the solution.

    2. Digital Signage with Printing Options

    Smart advertising is emerging in many verticals, not only because of its ability to disseminate content, but also because of the advanced technologies used to deliver that messaging.

    Imagine being able to watch digital advertising while walking at the mall and at any point be able to request a printout with information, promotions, and special messages relevant to what you were watching. Furthermore, imagine this information being able to dynamically change based on each individual consumer’s purchasing habits.

    The way companies are reaching their potential customers is changing and innovative kiosk solutions are absolutely going to be a part of that change.

    3. Advanced Access Control Solutions

    Self-service kiosks can now be integrated with many biometric technology features like:

    • Facial recognition
    • Retina and fingerprint scanning
    • Gender and age validation
    • And more

    With these technologies in place, access control solutions are now capable of identifying people attempting to go through their systems with an almost zero-failure rate. Not only does this improve safety and security, but this also allows for faster and more accurate screening, turning a potentially bottlenecked process into a perfectly flowing one, opening the door for new possibilities in the sector.

    Kiosk Solution-Selling Tips

    Solutions will continue to evolve as their demand stays in an upward trend. As a solution provider, it is important to be innovative in your proposals and to remain a leader in your space. Providing real-world experience and trusted consultative services to your customers will set yourself apart from the competition.

    To deepen your self-service kiosk solution offering, be sure to partner with other companies that also have a breadth of experience and knowledge on the latest kiosk trends. For example, Star, a kiosk printer provider, has sales and marketing teams with over 370 years of collective experience in the POS industry. Additionally, we are proud to have a Kiosk Product Champion on board, as well as an integration team that is well-versed in making sure Star’s solutions work with the industry’s leading POS software solutions.

    Together you and your kiosk partners can successfully move forward in this ever-changing technocentric world through mutual excellence and solution selling, not product pushing.

    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

    Explore Star’s Kiosk Solutions

    Star is proud to offer a complete line of kiosk printing solutions perfect for a variety of industries such as hospitality, stadium/recreation, banks, retail, parking facilities, transportation hubs, and more.

    Star Micronics Kiosk Printers

    Star’s Kiosk Printers At-a-Glance:

    • Available in multiple paper widths (2”, 3”, 4”)
    • Open-frame and housed printers available
    • Multiple footprints available, from compact to modular
    • Available interfaces: serial, USB, parallel, Ethernet
    • Operating system compatibility: Windows, Linux, Android, Mac, iOS
    • Multiple accessories available including bezel, presenter, and large paper roll holders

    Click here to easily decide which kiosk printer is right for you.

    Meet Star’s Kiosk Printers

    Star provides the highest quality and largest variety of kiosk printing solutions.

    Download Brochure

  • 3 Reasons Self-Service Kiosk Solution Providers Should Choose a Printer with Android SDK Support

    3 Reasons Self-Service Kiosk Solution Providers Should Choose a Printer with Android SDK Support

    The growth of the self-service kiosk industry is undeniable: 2019 was the third consecutive year of double-digit growth for the industry, according to Kiosk Marketplace. This data confirms that the industry is a very attractive specialized vertical to focus on, and as a kiosk solution provider, being prepared to provide what the market needs – with the right technology and innovation – is key.One example of this innovation is the ability for a kiosk to support tablets, including Android-based systems. Why is supporting Android tablets so important? As a kiosk solution provider, read on to discover three reasons you should choose a printer with Android SDK support.

    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

    Reason #1: Android as a Replacement Device

    The times are changing, and so are the go-to devices found in self-service kiosks. As the industry grows and sectors that were previously indifferent to self-service solutions become a part of the demanding force, the need for cost-effective, flexible, and easy-to-integrate solutions has emerged.

    One ideal solution to meet this need is the Android tablet. Affordable, compact, and simple to use, Android tablets are replacing computers, all-in-ones, and touchscreens across the industry, and it’s important to support them.

    Reason #2: Android as a Cost-Effective Solution

    The tablet world has evolved at lightning speed with bigger and more powerful devices available at every price point imaginable. Interestingly, this shift was not triggered by self-service kiosk solutions, but it has changed the way kiosks are designed and has disrupted the industry at its core.

    Although highly customized Windows- and Linux-based kiosks running costly CPUs and larger-than-life touchscreens are still available for those with the budget and need, the self-service market has been disrupted by newer, cost-conscious tablet solutions, with Android becoming the leading operating system for this type of integration.

    Reason #3: Android as a Sleek Design

    When it comes to self-service kiosks, the design follows the function, meaning that the most effective kiosks are designed with their specific use cases in mind.

    Not surprisingly, as the demand for self-service solutions increases, ideal solution designs have also changed. In many cases, this means a smaller footprint, a minimalist style, and more intuitive interfaces – all of which can be found in an Android-based system.

    In addition to the device itself, selecting the right set of components to accompany your Android tablet-based kiosk will dictate how successful your proposed solution will be today and into the future.

    In Summary: Why It’s Imperative to Support Android

    One size does not fit all when it comes to self-service kiosks. Some kiosks print sales receipts in quick service restaurants (QSRs), others print shipping labels in courier companies, some print tickets in parking garages, and so on.

    With so many potential applications (and potential customers), offering the right operating system support is extremely important. And with their high quality, compact size, affordable price point, specific functionality, and easy compatibility, Android devices are now the norm for the market. To ensure your entire kiosk solution is Android-friendly, it’s a must to choose a printer with Android SDK support.

    How to Choose an Android-Compatible Kiosk Printer

    The self-service kiosk journey does not end at the tablet. To ensure maximum efficiency and success, it’s important to choose a kiosk printer that not only supports Android but is also reliable and high-performance. Here are some kiosk printer features to look for:

    • Paper Size: One of the first considerations when it comes to a kiosk printer is what size paper you need to be printing. Common widths include 2”, 3”, and 4”.
    • Interface: Next up on your list of kiosk printer features to think about is the interface. Will you need serial, USB, parallel, or an Ethernet connection? Be sure that the kiosk printer you choose is compatible with the interface(s) you plan on using.
    • Footprint: Another important consideration is the kiosk printer’s footprint. Do you need the most compact printer possible? Or do you need a larger, more modular printer?
    • Position: Like the printer’s footprint, you must also consider whether the printer needs to be in a horizontal or vertical position and choose a printer that can accommodate that requirement.
    • Accessories: Last but not least, be sure to assess which kiosk printer accessories you will need and make sure the printer you are considering is offered with them. Common accessories include a bezel, a presenter, a large paper roll holder, and more.

    Meet Star’s Kiosk Printers

    Star is proud to offer a wide range of kiosk printers featuring multiple paper widths, interfaces, footprints, positions, and available accessories – all compatible with the Android operating system! Learn more about Star’s kiosk printer family in the below video, featuring Star’s Kiosk Printer Champion Augusto Echecopar:

    View the Full Star Product Catalog

    Looking for more help choosing a kiosk printer? Download our free cheat sheet: How to Select Your Kiosk Printer.

    Download Brochure

  • Why a QSR Loyalty Program is Crucial to Your Customers’ Bottom Line

    Why a QSR Loyalty Program is Crucial to Your Customers’ Bottom Line

    There are nearly 200,000 quick service restaurant (QSR) franchise establishments in the United States, and that number is growing steadily each year. For your QSR customers, that means the competition is hot and the need to run a cohesive, streamlined business is higher than ever.

    The success of a QSR business relies on many factors: location, high-quality product, marketing, and of course, the bottom line. Did you know that by offering a loyalty program, you can help your customers do all the above and more? Read on to discover six ways a QSR loyalty program can help your customers succeed.

    Benefit #1: Less Price Comparison

    Most of the time when consumers are deciding on a product, price is a top consideration. What is your QSR customer to do if they aren’t necessarily the lowest priced option in their market?

    The answer can lie in a QSR loyalty program. If your customer successfully implements a loyalty program that their patrons love, your customer’s restaurant is more likely to stand out in the patron’s mind. This loyalty means those diners may not simply choose the cheapest meal option – if your customer successfully creates a rewarding, personalized experience, their patrons will likely choose the restaurant that gives them perks and customized attention, not just the lowest price tag.

    And your customers can add special value, even if at first glance they do not appear to be the lowest priced meal provider. According to The Association for Consumer Research:

    “The excitement that is often generated in consumers by a price promotion suggests that there is an ego-expressive, as well as utilitarian aspect to a price. This ego-expressive aspect results in ‘smartshopper feelings.’ It is proposed that these feelings can be enhanced by leading the consumer to feel responsible for the discount and by dangling the discount in front of consumers.”

    In other words, by offering a promotion via its loyalty program, a QSR’s customers are more likely to feel like smart shoppers. This is even more true when they feel responsible for finding the discount (i.e. when they find a discount in their personalized loyalty program) and when the promotion is “dangled” in front of them (also through the loyalty program). That rewarding feeling may just be enough to entice them to eat at your customer’s restaurant instead of another establishment that doesn’t offer any special mood-boosting promotions.

    Benefit #2: Stronger Customer Retention

    Loyalty-Program-PromoPRNT-e1574805918143

    Loyalty programs are designed to, well, create loyalty. With so much competition in the QSR market, it’s critical to retain the diners that your QSR customer has already attracted. It’s also worth noting that:

    • 25% to 40% of total revenue from the most stable businesses comes from repeat business
    • Loyal customers spend 67% more than new customers
    • Customer retention costs 4-30 times less than customer acquisition
    • A mere 5% lift in retention can increase profits by a whopping 85%

    A QSR loyalty program can help your customers enjoy all of these perks by retaining existing customers and turning them into loyal ones.

    Did you know your QSR customers can promote their loyalty program on their receipts with PromoPRNT, Star’s value-added promotional tool?

    Benefit #3: Higher Customer Lifetime Value

    A QSR loyalty program can also help raise a restaurant’s Customer Lifetime Value (CLV or CLTV). What’s that? Simply put, it is “a prediction of the net profit attributed to the entire future relationship with a customer.”

    By leveraging loyalty program analytics, your restaurant customer will be able to calculate each of their patron’s CLVs. Knowledge is power, and understanding this data can help the restaurants strategize how best to cater to these patrons and keep them loyal.

    It has been shown that:

    • Loyalty programs increase overall revenue by 5-10%
    • On average, loyalty members spend 5-20% more than non-members
    • Loyalty program members buy 5-20% more frequently than non-members

    Clearly a QSR loyalty program is a win-win: it provides benefits to the consumer and greatly affects the restaurant’s bottom line.

    Benefit #4: A Personalized Experience

    Personalization is everything. We’re living in an era where virtually everything is personalized – with self-service kiosks you can order your food your way and you can even have your favorite household supplies delivered directly to your door on whatever schedule you’d like. A QSR loyalty program should play into this era of personalization.

    A complete, successfully implemented loyalty program will make your QSR’s customers feel emotionally connected to the restaurant. Not only will these positive emotions bring diners back again and again, but they are more likely to be forgiving if a hiccup like a mistake in order-taking occurs during one of their visits.

    Some ways a loyalty program can create these personalized feelings is by calling customers by their name within the user interface, remembering a customer’s favorite customized orders, offering rewards for special events like the customer’s birthday, and more.

    Benefit #5: Create Influencers

    According to marketing legend Philip Kotler, “the best advertising is done by satisfied customers,” and isn’t that the truth?

    Did you know that an estimated 20-50% of all purchasing decisions are primarily influenced by word-of-mouth? And nearly three-quarters of millennials feel it’s their responsibility to help their loved ones make smart purchasing decisions. In other words, when consumers have a positive opinion of your brand, it’s sure to go places in terms of growing your QSR customer’s business.

    How does a QSR loyalty program fit into this? If the program offers special deals and great perks, patrons are likely to share that information with their friends and family. A smart loyalty program will also include a refer-a-friend feature (which is another great place to incorporate a special discount like “refer a friend and get $5 off your next order”).

    Benefit #6: Attract New Customers

    To grow as a business, your QSR customer needs to not only be keeping its current customers happy, but also be attracting new customers. A well-thought-out QSR loyalty program can help do just that. Here’s how:

    • An immediate discount or promotion just for signing up with the program can entice people to try the restaurant (and the loyalty program).
    • If a customer is aware that the loyalty program offers good, easy-to-obtain deals and discounts, they are more likely to try a restaurant for the first time.
    • When choosing a place to eat, roughly 60% of consumers say they use their mobile device to help them decide. If a loyalty program (and its immediate discounts) are easily found by the consumer in search results or on social media, they are more likely to try the restaurant and get that deal.

    Examples of Successful Loyalty Programs

    So, what does a good QSR loyalty program look like? Luckily three major brands have built success programs you gain can inspiration from:

    Starbucks

    Starbucks Rewards Program
    Source: starbucks.com

    The Starbucks Rewards program is an iconic loyalty program. Featuring order ahead, pay-by-phone, free birthday treats, “Double-Star Days,” personalized exclusive offers, and more, Starbucks is doing a lot of things right. And according to Zinrelo, Starbucks has reported an increased revenue of $2.65 billion, attributing the program for most of that increase. Click here to learn more about the Starbucks Rewards program.

    Panera Bread

    MyPanera Program
    Source: panerabread.com

    Panera Bread’s loyalty program, MyPanera, is another one worthy of drawing some inspiration from. It offers a sign-up reward, exclusive sneak peaks, information on local events, order personalization and easy reordering, and the opportunity to subscribe to a MyPanera+ Coffee program which provides unlimited coffee for just $8.99 per month. Click here to learn more about the MyPanera program.

    Chick-fil-A

    Chick-fil-A One Program
    Source: chick-fil-a.com

    Chick-fil-A One, the popular chicken QSR chain’s loyalty program, is a tiered program that allows customers to earn points on every purchase. The program includes things like the ability to use points for catering orders, surprise rewards for a customer’s local Chick-fil-A restaurant, birthday rewards, new menu items and insider content, and more. Click here to learn more about Chick-fil-A One.

    Looking to offer even more to your QSR customers? Discover all of Star’s products for restaurants in our Restaurant Brochure.

    Download Restaurant Brochure

  • Star Spotlight – NRF 2020 Edition: Appetize

    Star Spotlight – NRF 2020 Edition: Appetize

    NRF is a wonderful show for multiple reasons – it’s where over 40,000 retail industry professionals gather to share ideas, build partnerships, and experience the year’s latest technology. Speaking of partnerships, one of Star’s favorite reasons for being at Retail’s Big Show is the dedicated time we give to catching up with our many retail software partners.

    In today’s blog post, we will explore what one our valued partners, Appetize, is up to in 2020, and how they are working with Star. Learn more about our partnership in the below video interview filmed at NRF 2020 and stay tuned for even more partnership interviews in our upcoming Star Spotlight NRF 2020 Edition blog posts.

    What Does Appetize Do?

    Since being founded in 2011, Appetize has quickly become the leading enterprise cloud point of sale (POS) and management platform trusted by the world’s highest volume businesses.

    Our mission is to enhance the guest ordering experience while making operations more efficient and productive. We provide all the benefits and flexibility of the cloud including easy deployment, scale-up, reconfiguration and upgrade capabilities, with our enterprise capabilities such as centralized management and real-time reporting.

    As the technology hub for commerce, we’ve connected our ordering technologies which include POS terminals, handheld devices, self-service kiosks, mobile and online ordering, with best-in-class application and technology integrations. We’ve simplified the transaction process in order to drive financial performance, improve guest experience, and future-proof operations.

    Today, Appetize powers many well-known Fortune 500 companies and enterprises to process billions of dollars annually across multi-unit restaurants, sports and entertainment properties, education campuses, convention centers, theme parks, travel and leisure sites, and more. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California with offices across the United States, our team of experts help Appetize users modernize and scale their business.

    Source: https://appetize.com/

    What are Some of Appetize’s Key Products?

    Appetize’s portfolio of offerings is broken down into three categories: Software, Hardware, and Solutions.

    • Software: Appetize’s software solutions “transform the way your staff and guests interact with robust front and back of house software products that solve operational and ordering challenges.” These offerings include: point of sale, self-service kiosks, mobile and online ordering, and back of house management.
    • Hardware: Designed to increase revenue and customer satisfaction, Appetize’s hardware products (including Star) are reliable and industry-leading, and include self-service kiosks, terminals, handheld devices, and more.
    • Solutions: Appetize specializes in offering solutions to quick-service restaurants, traditional restaurants, and retail. These cloud-based solutions help businesses streamline operations and increase profits.

    What’s New with Appetize in 2020?

    Appetize has been the leader in the enterprise stadium and arena technology market for years. This looks like the technology supporting the ability to feed 20,000 fans a meal within a 20-minute span of time. Now, in 2020, Appetize is taking that experience and extending its enterprise solutions to the multi-unit retail and QSR marketplace.

    “We’ve really grown our footprint to have great partners like Star to help enable us and provide us a rock of steady, reliable technology that still innovates and drives forward with the new footprint and the new sleek look and feel, but still the same core reliability. It’s great to be aligned, we love our partnership with Star.” – Brian Whitney, Vice President, Sales, Appetize

    Which Star Products Does Appetize Integrate?

    Appetize currently integrates the Star Micronics TSP654II, TSP654IISK, TSP143III, SM-S230i, and TUP500.

    TSP654II

    TSP654II

    High reliability and performance
    High-speed printing (300mm/s)
    Swappable interfaces: serial, parallel, USB, LAN
    Bluetooth and AirPrint connectivity available

    TSP654IISK

    TSP654II

    Repositionable, linter-free thermal label solution
    Improves order accuracy up to 99%
    Liner-free yields 60% more labels per roll than diecut
    80mm and 58mm paper support

    TSP143III

    TSP143III

    High-speed printing (250mm/s)
    Easy setup across all models
    Lightning connection for simultaneous charging and data transfer
    Compatible with Star Micronics Cloud Services

    SM-S230i

    SM-S230i

    2-inch portable printer with compact, lightweight design
    Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR / USB 2.0 full speed
    Barcode/graphics printing supported
    Magnetic stripe reader

    TUP500

    TUP500

    Kiosk printer with modular design for easy integration
    220mm/s print speed
    Adjustable print width (42mm – 82.5mm)
    Optional bezel, presenter, large paper roll holder, and more

    Stay tuned for our upcoming NRF 2020 Star Spotlights, coming soon. In the meantime, learn more about how Star and our partners have teamed up to provide solutions by browsing our Success Stories.

    Browse Success Stories

  • What We Learned at NRF 2020

    What We Learned at NRF 2020

    Retail’s Big Show! With 40,000 attendees, over 800 exhibitors, and 400 speakers, NRF 2020 was another one for the record books. The keynotes were entertaining and educational while the show floor was filled with tried-and-true companies as well as startups looking to grow their business.

    Of course, the largest retail expo in the world is full of lots of new ideas and technology including everything from security and inventory management to BOPIS software and self-service kiosks. The keynote address Sunday morning by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella set the tone for what would be a show filled with hundreds of new technologies based on the data touch points and robotic technology available to retailers. This theme also stood out on the show floor, with almost all companies both large and small featuring some form of artificial intelligence (AI).

    AI Meets QSR

    Kevin Johnson, CEO of Starbucks, held a keynote session Monday morning and it seemed as though the topic was nearly identical to the previous day’s keynote. Kevin explained how Starbucks, one of the largest coffee chains in the world, is creating a cutting-edge AI technology that will allow baristas to provide a more personal experience to their customers. Normally when we think of robotics and AI, we never imagine a more personal experience, but Kevin gave a few examples of how this is possible. At the drive-thru window, baristas always seem too busy to offer high-quality customer experience, but now with Deep Brew, the barista can simply say the order and the point of sale starts collecting the order via voice recognition.

    Robots for Every Corner of Retail

    On the show floor, actual robots were on display and demonstrating the added benefits they can provide during every step of a product’s lifecycle, from the warehouse to the customer’s shopping cart. Everywhere you looked, there were robots that could help a retailer better operate their business, from a fully automated sorting robot that scans and organizes products during the shipping process to a robot that roams the store looking for spills and hazards. These new robotic innovations seem to all focus on giving employees back their valuable time and in turn, save business owners money.

    Software Advances at NRF 2020

    From a software point of view, there was a huge increase in companies that were merging the offline world with the online world. While this is really nothing new to the industry, it is becoming more and more necessary for retailers to do this in our new world of online shopping interactions. It is quite amazing that a small business can now easily offer customers BOPIS options using almost any point of sale (POS) that they choose. Whether an in-store POS software was unveiling an updated application or a young startup company was offering an integration with any POS, NRF had the technology to bring retailers into the new world of eCommerce. Any feature that can connect a store’s offline world with the online world really goes a long way in terms of helping small businesses compete with larger chain stores.

    Star at NRF 2020

    What were Star’s biggest highlights at Retail’s Big Show? We’re glad you asked. Here are the top three innovations we shared at NRF 2020:

    1. SteadyLAN

    Without a doubt, the showstopper at Star’s NRF 2020 booth was SteadyLANTM. An industry-first technology for iPad POS, SteadyLAN provides reliable power and network access through one cable connection. Learn more about how it works in this quick video:

    2. New Kiosk Printers

    Another highlight at Star’s booth is our new generation of SK1 kiosk printers, the SK1-211 and SK1-311. The SK1-211 and SK1-311 ship standard with StarPRNT emulation, which will allow software developers to take advantage of the full stack of Star Micronics technology, such as the StarPRNT SDKs and Star’s powerful line of drivers. Software developers that have already integrated Star products can now easily swap or extend their applications from a desktop printer to a kiosk printer. Learn more now in this video featuring Star’s Kiosk Product Champion, Augusto Echecopar:

    3. mUnite Stands

    Another hot topic at the Star booth was our new mUnite stands. These stands – designed for the mC-Print3, mPOPTM, and TSP143III/TSP654II – feature clean cable management, universal VESA mounting, and more. Discover more reasons why the mUnite is the industry’s best tablet stand in this video by Star’s mUnite Product Champion, Kyle Lauber:

    Last but not least, a special thanks to our in-booth partners this year:

    In Conclusion: Retail’s Big Show

    For anyone in the retail industry, NRF is the must-attend event of the year, and this year was no different. Rapidly advancing retail technology was on display at every turn you took at the show. The keynotes by Kevin Johnson and Satya Nadella had a large focus on AI and data learning. Robots on the show floor gathered crowds and demonstrated how quickly and efficiently automation is coming to the retail industry. This year we also saw the divide between big business and small business decrease. The technology that merges online business and offline business is becoming much easier to obtain, giving small business owners more tools to win a shopper’s purchase. If NRF is any indication of the trends in retail, this year will be filled with AI and automation leading the charge towards the future of retail.

  • 3 Ways to Help Your Customers Increase Restaurant Foot Traffic

    3 Ways to Help Your Customers Increase Restaurant Foot Traffic

    There are over 660,000 restaurants in the United States alone. That’s a lot of competition, and you may find your restaurant customers are facing related challenges: how do they differentiate themselves and grow sales? In a society filled with so many options for nearly every type of cuisine, and with seemingly limitless dining options available through smartphone apps, how do you help them increase foot traffic in their restaurant?

    Growing a restaurant business during this digital transformation doesn’t have to be complicated. There are a few key ways you can help your restaurant customers increase foot traffic – and lucky none of them are too complex. They do, however, require an understanding of the restaurant’s specific needs and target audience. Read on to discover how to help grow your customers’ business through leveraging online ordering, delivering a top-notch experience to diners, and growing a digital presence.

    Browse Star’s Restaurant and Kitchen Solutions

    1. Help Them Leverage Online Ordering

    In the last decade, nearly every aspect of the world has gone online – you can buy almost anything online, you can hail a cab from your smartphone, and you can do the majority of your banking from a mobile device – and the restaurant industry is no different.

    Online ordering for food is a huge market. For instance, did you know that digital ordering and delivery have grown 300% faster than dine-in traffic since 2014? Simply put, to keep up and grow restaurant foot traffic, your customers need to be active on at least one online ordering platform. Taking advantage of the millions of people using online ordering is a great way to expand your restaurant customer’s clientele from those who already know and love the restaurant, to brand new diners.

    It might sound like a complicated process but helping your restaurant customers get online can be simple. First, the restaurant should choose whether they want to be present on an online ordering app (like Grubhub, Uber Eats, DoorDash, etc.) or if they’d like to have an online ordering system integrated into their website – or both. When choosing a service, restaurants should consider the ability to customize and brand their system, the ease of integration, any associated fees and costs, and whether marketing support is offered.

    Another important component of online ordering to think about is the technology behind the solution. By choosing an online ordering service that is integrated with Star Micronics, you can rest assured you have reliable, easy-to-use, and high-quality hardware on your side. For example, CloudPRNT technology (which is available on the mC-Print2, mC-Print3, TSP654II, TSP743II, TSP847II, and SP742) allows the printer to directly communicate with the online ordering service server, meaning there is no need for an additional tablet, software, or SSL certificate at the local level. The printer simply automatically retrieves and prints online orders from any service integrated with Star’s communication protocol. CloudPRNT is compatible with receipt, label, linerless label, and kitchen printers, meaning the options for streamlined printing are endless.

    Discover how Star helped one Asian fusion restaurant group leverage online ordering and save nearly $10,000 along the way.

    Customer-Paying-at-POS-1080x7202. Give Them the Tools They Need to Deliver a Top-Notch Customer Experience

    “Have it your way.” Does that slogan ring a bell? Like one notorious QSR brand once said, to grow restaurant foot traffic, establishments should encourage customers to enjoy their dining experience on their own terms. One good reason for this is that if you aren’t offering a personalized, convenient experience, someone else most certainly is.

    So, what does a top-notch customer experience look like? Here are a few examples:

    • Convenience: We are living in the era of convenience. Diners want to order exactly what they’d like, in a quick and seamless fashion. To cater to this preference, your restaurant customers should consider implementing self-service kiosks, which not only provide a positive guest experience but also have been shown to increase profits. Another modern convenience that diners are coming to expect is mobile payment opportunities, such as paying at the table.
    • Reliability: Downtime is a bad time. If your systems go down thanks to an unstable network connection, that means lost time, lost money, and potentially lost business, which is the opposite of what your restaurant customers are looking to achieve. Avoid the stress of downtime by helping your customers choose reliable, connected restaurant point of sale (POS) hardware. For example, Star’s mC-Print2 and mC-Print3 includes SteadyLAN™ technology, which provides wired Ethernet service to an iPad connected to a networked printer via the Lightning cable. A stable connection means more money, more happy customers, and more restaurant foot traffic!

    3. Encourage Them to Grow A Digital Presence

    In addition to offering online ordering, in order to grow its foot traffic, your restaurant customer should also be sure to maintain an active website and social media accounts. A website can be useful for customers to browse a menu in advance, share the restaurant with friends and family, check business hours, and more. Social media is useful in several ways: it can give restaurants a public personality, provide diners with a “behind the scenes” look at food preparation, and promote upcoming specials. In a nutshell, the average American spends 5.4 hours a day on their smartphone. Take advantage of it! Catching a person’s attention online can certainly lead that person through a restaurant’s doors.

    Together, offering online ordering, delivering a stellar dining experience, and maintaining an active digital presence can help your restaurant customers grow their foot traffic. Contact Star Micronics now to learn more about how we can help you make your restaurant customers’ goals come to life.

    Are your customers ready for online ordering? Find out now!

    Download eBook

  • How Back of the House Restaurant Technology is Evolving

    How Back of the House Restaurant Technology is Evolving

    There’s no doubt about it: people love to dine out. In fact, there are over 1 million restaurants in the United States alone, and it’s estimated that those restaurants produced $863 billion of sales in 2019. At the same time, the hospitality industry is undergoing the same digital transformation as nearly every other industry: for example, online ordering is growing 300% faster than in-dining spend!

    To accommodate these advancements, back of the house restaurant technology is evolving to keep up. Read on to learn more about the transformation taking place in kitchens around the world – and how it’s not as complicated as you think to keep up with modern hospitality trends if you choose the proper back of the house restaurant technology.

    Download Restaurant Brochure

    Restaurants across the world are being prompted to streamline their operations to meet the demands of today’s latest hospitality trends. These new technologies include online ordering, self-service kiosks, and other updated kitchen technology. Let’s explore each trend and how your restaurant (or your customer’s restaurants) can adapt to take advantage of these opportunities.

    Online Ordering

    One of the most prevalent technological changes to the restaurant industry is online ordering. Did you know:

    • 31% of consumers say they use third-party delivery apps at least twice a week.
    • 67% of customers who have placed an order online will visit the restaurant more frequently versus those who have not.
    • Restaurants that utilizes an online-ordering system are able to grow their delivery revenue 30% more than those who do not.
    • Millennials order takeout via an app or website more than any other age group, with 79% of Millennials doing so in the last year.
    • Two-thirds of consumers say that they are more likely to visit a restaurant if they have previously ordered from them online.
    • Partnering with an online ordering service is a great way to reach new customers – one service has claimed that 92% of its orders come from entirely new customers.

    So, what does a restaurant need to do to accommodate online orders? The first step is to choose a third-party online ordering service. Some popular options include DoorDash, Grubhub, Uber Eats, and more (Star is partnered with all three of those – and is proud to partner with nearly every other online ordering service provider, as well).

    Partnering with an online ordering service can be very straightforward. Most simply ask that the restaurant provides information about itself and uploads its menu, and then the service provider will send out the necessary equipment to get started.

    Many services allow the restaurant to either use its own drivers or leverage on-demand drivers, and some may even include special perks like professional photoshoots, marketing opportunities, website tools, and more.

    Considering back of the house restaurant technology when choosing your service provider is of utmost importance. Be sure to choose a service which provides a feature-packed printer that is:

    • Full of Connectivity Options: Star’s printers include multiple connectivity options including:
      mC-Print2-and-mC-Print3
       Star’s mC-Print2-and-mC-Print3
      • CloudPRNT: CloudPRNT allows the printer to communicate directly with the online ordering service’s server, which means no need for an additional tablet, software, or SSL certificate at the local level. Enjoy all the benefits of online ordering without additional hassle and clutter!
      • SteadyLANTM: Star’s mC-Print series features SteadyLAN, which allows for direct data transfer between Apple iOS devices and the printer via the Lightning cable. For the first time ever, enjoy direct ethernet connectivity to iOS devices from the wired ethernet port of the printer.
      • USB Hub: Star’s mC-Print series also features a USB hub which allows for connectivity of up to three peripherals, like 1D and 2D scanners, cash drawers, line displays, kitchen buzzers, and more.
    • Durable: The kitchen can be a messy place. A good rule of thumb is to choose a printer that is IPX2-rated, meaning it is splash-proof and insect-proof.
    • High Performance: Choosing a high-quality and high-performance printer will serve you well in the long run. Look for a printer with a high print speed (like 250mm/s), a high print resolution (203dpi), and a simple user experience.

    Download eBook

    Self-Service Kiosk Orders

    Arguably, the second most popular trend emerging in the hospitality market is self-service kiosks (it’s estimated that 41% of the industry is now using kiosks) – and for good reason. There are many benefits for both the customer and the restaurant when it comes to self-service kiosks:

    • More Sales: Customers spend more money when they order from a kiosk, thanks to kiosks prompting them with options such as additional toppings, which can add up over time. In fact, McDonald’s has seen a 20% increase in drink orders alone since implementing kiosks!
    • A Better Customer Experience: Implementing kiosks means shorter lines and enhanced order customization and accuracy for your customers. Additionally, your employees can spend more time giving customers a high-quality experience since they won’t have as much pressure to quickly process all of the orders.

    • Cost-Efficient: On top of making more money, you’ll avoid the time and money that is wasted when orders need to be re-made due to inaccurate manual order-taking.

    It may surprise you, but you can implement self-service kiosk technology without making big changes to your current restaurant operations! If your staff is trained on processing printed kitchen tickets, it’s possible to keep your back of the house operations the same –you can keep them by choosing a connected kitchen printer that can retrieve digital orders. Save time, money, and keep your workers happy by keeping your back-of-house processes the same.

    Download Brochure

    SK1-311 Kiosk Printer   Star’s SK1-311 Kiosk Printer[/caption]

    Star is proud to partner and integrate with many of the industry’s leading kiosk manufacturers. With a large variety of kiosk printers designed to meet different kiosk styles and requirements, there’s a good chance we have the right kiosk solution for you. Please contact our sales team to learn more, whether you’re a kiosk manufacturer searching for the right printer, a reseller or ISV looking for the right solution to offer your customers, or a restaurant on the hunt for a kiosk solution to meet your specific needs.

    Other Updated Kitchen Technology

    There are even more modern advancements happening in restaurant kitchens besides online ordering and kiosks. One example? The kitchen buzzer.

    Star mC-Sound Kitchen Buzzer
       Star’s mC-Sound Kitchen Buzzer

    Modern kitchen buzzers – like the Star mC-Sound – include many new features like:

    • High quality sound (89dB)
    • Easy-to-use, pre-recorded melodies
    • The ability to record custom user speech
    • Compatibility with Windows, iOS, and Android SDKs
    • The ability for the sound converter tool to be integrated
    • And more!

    Back of the house restaurant technology is evolving – but you may be surprised how easy it can be to update your existing technology and take advantage of today’s trends, which can add more money to your bottom line and create a better customer experience.

    Whether you want to offer online ordering, deploy self-service kiosk technology, or more, be sure your new processes are backed by high-quality hardware featuring future-proof connectivity options and integrations with your favorite service providers. Always leading, and always innovating, Star is proud to offer a portfolio of back of the house restaurant technology designed to meet today’s needs.

    Contact Star Integration Now

  • The Benefits of Leveraging Kiosks for Self-Ordering in Hospitality

    The Benefits of Leveraging Kiosks for Self-Ordering in Hospitality

    The airline industry was one of the first to revolutionize the check-in process with the implementation of self-service kiosks. The technology helped to decrease guest wait times and enabled labor to be reallocated to areas of greater need. Today, self-service kiosks have transitioned from an innovation found at the airport to an expectation held by consumers of the hospitality industry. In a recent survey by PYMNTS, it was revealed that kiosks are seeing the strongest growth, and that 41% of the industry is now using kiosk technology to serve guests.

    Self-service kiosks provide businesses the opportunity to both meet consumer expectation and demand, while at the same time growing the bottom line. Kiosks have been proven to help increase order size, improve accuracy, decrease labor costs, and more, which is why so many restaurants are adopting this solution. As this tech takes off, make sure your business is positioned to capitalize on self-ordering applications.

    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

    Increased Upselling Capabilities & Average Ticket Size

    In the high-tech age we live in, customers have become increasingly comfortable ordering from a screen. Kiosks allow customers to take their time and order precisely what they want, how they want it, without feeling pressure from the counter or customers next in line. According to the Kiosk Marketplace, research indicates that most customers prefer self-service devices to waiting in line or at a table for service.

    So, what’s encouraging guests to open their wallets for a bigger order at the screen? The primary driver is upselling. You may have trained your cashier to upsell, but chances are staff members aren’t asking guests to purchase additional items every time. With kiosks, an opportunity to upsell is never missed.

    Self-service kiosks can automatically prompt guests with tantalizing options that pair well with the selections they have chosen. Something as simple as additional toppings like cheese or sour cream— which may cost an additional $0.30 to $0.70—really adds up over time. When McDonald’s implemented these kiosks, they saw a 20% increase in drink orders alone.

    Don’t let the opportunity for those larger sales pass you by.

    Enhanced Order Customization

    With kiosk technology, upselling can be personalized. Kiosks can learn from the buying habits of repeat customers, making better recommendations based on what guests like. Loyalty programs are easily managed with kiosks, allowing guests to quickly see rewards points and how they can use them as they build their order. This added personalization creates a great sense of value for your customers, keeping them coming back time and time again.

    Upselling isn’t the only customization tool that self-service kiosks can provide. They also put the power directly in the hands of your guests to customize every item. They’ll be able to see every option available to them, including gluten-free or vegan options. Whether they want to add or remove toppings, swap sides, upgrade their drink, or elect a light or healthier version, they can easily make those adjustments with a few quick clicks.

    A cashier can only provide all this information when guests request it. Static menu boards only allow so much information on each item, topping, and sauce choice available. With kiosks, the customization is endless. Self-service kiosks allow businesses to meet guest expectations.

    Self-Ordering Kiosk

    Improved Order Accuracy

    As customization increases, so too increases the need for accurate order entry. Imagine you run a coffee shop, and a guest comes in and quickly rattles off, “One large iced coffee, double espresso, skim milk, light ice, mocha drizzle with extra cinnamon, no whip.” The guest might have gotten the entire order out before your cashier was able to even select the size. Your employee might require the order being repeated several times or risk entering it incorrectly—a costly mistake if it becomes a common occurrence.

    Now imagine that your guest has the ability to enter an order directly into a self-service kiosk. Every detail is entered correctly, then reviewed before checking out.

    Guests have the reassurance that their order was entered precisely how they want. Self-service kiosks deliver orders directly to the queue, which significantly increases order accuracy, saving your business time and money associated with correcting improperly made orders.

    Reduced Labor Costs

    Implementing kiosks doesn’t mean that you are eliminating cashiers and traditional cashier terminals. Some guests will still want to order from a cashier, especially if they want to pay with cash. With less pressure for cashiers to process orders quickly to meet the demands of a fast-growing line, cashiers can now take more time with customers, delivering a better customer experience. In addition, your business may now need fewer cashiers to take orders, allowing you to reallocate the labor time you save at the front counter to other areas where labor consistently falls short.

    Customer Insights

    Self-service kiosks provide business owners with valuable data. You’ll be able to get insights into popular menu items, busiest times of the day, and popular order modifications and add-on items. This data can empower you to determine what items to strategically promote on the kiosks, when additional staff might be necessary to assist guests with kiosks, and more.

    For example, if you notice that guests are often opting for a specific add-on item, this might direct you to make a price increase on that add-on item to test what that item’s ideal price point is for delivering the best profit margin. You’ll be able to track how that price change has had an impact on sales and your revenue stream. These small adjustments can have long-term impact to your bottom line.

    Additionally, you may notice that sales are slow for certain menu items during certain days or times. Changing the promotions that are displayed on the kiosk screen can bolster sales during slower times.

    Reduced Wait Times

    Guests don’t want to wait. Long lines are a major deterrent, and with the countless options available to consumers seeking quick service or fast casual establishments, wait times could make or break your guest experience—and you may never get the chance to make it up to the guest who waited too long.

    Kiosks offer a fast, easy way for guests to enter their own order, make their payment, get their (correct) order, and be on their way. This seamless process improves the guest experience and your business will reap the rewards.

    In addition, since cashiers will have to spend less time entering orders and processing payments, they can focus more on providing the best customer service possible. They’ll be available for guests to ask questions, ensure needs are met, and walk guests through any technical or user errors on the kiosks. The human element won’t be lost, simply transitioned into more of a service role, and less of a data entry one.

    Stay Competitive

    The hospitality industry is constantly evolving—always seeking the latest and greatest means to attract and retain customers. The competition is becoming more complex, as consumers have more options than ever. From high-end dining, to fast casual, home delivery services, meal kit, and grocery delivery options—the contenders aren’t backing down.

    Kiosks can help you contend with competitors in the hospitality industry, providing you with the edge you need to not only stay afloat, but also to become a successful establishment in the industry. With improved speed and accuracy, you’ll see higher customer satisfaction out of the gate. Plus, with the data it can provide, you’ll be able to fine-tune your offerings and prices, so your bottom line is always looking its best.

    Customer Picking up Food from Restaurant

    Make Sure Your Kiosk is Complete

    In order to process customer transactions, your kiosk needs to be outfitted with a reliable receipt printer. You’ll want to make sure that the printer is ergonomically designed to fit a wide range of kiosks. You also want to make sure the kiosk printer is fast, so lines aren’t held up from slow printing.

    A few qualities that make printers ergonomic and fast that you will want to look for are:

    • Looping presenter: This helps reduce paper jams and an output sensor detects if the customer has taken the receipt or not. The printer ejects uncollected receipts or foreign objects prior to printing the next receipt.
    • LED presenter: This helps deliver printer maintenance information to staff members and customers, such as receipt available (green light) or paper jam issue (red light).
    • Bezel: A bezel will ensure a seamless, professional aesthetic for the paper exit. It can be integrated with the LED feature for further visual appeal and maintenance functionality.
    • Paper roll holder: The paper roll holder should support different sizes of receipt paper rolls depending on the application of the kiosk printer its frequency of use.
    • PromoPRNT & Cloud-connected: A PromoPRNT, Cloud-connected kiosk printer will provide additional value-add services to your business. With PromoPRNT, you will be able to offer customers promos and coupons on printed receipts. Cloud connectivity will enable device management features and other benefits.

    Looking to learn more? Here are 8 features kiosk manufacturers should look for when choosing kiosk printing mechanisms.

    The correct kiosk printer is just a click away. Download our full eBook now to discover which kiosk printer on the market fits your needs!

    Explore Solutions