Randy Garutti, the boss of Shake Shack, has announced plans to install more self-service machines in his burger restaurants. This change is something we're seeing a lot at fast-food spots.
Garutti also mentioned that people spend more when ordering through these self-checkout machines.
Fast-Food Chains Follow Shake Shack's Lead
Garutti talked about how his decision to add more machines for customers to serve themselves is catching on with other places where you can quickly grab a bite to eat.
During a February meeting with people who have put money into his company, as Business Insider has shared, Garutti revealed some interesting facts. He explained that people seem to spend about 10% more when they use these machines instead of ordering from a person at the counter.
Because of these encouraging results, Shake Shack has put these self-service kiosks in nearly all of its 300 spots across the United States.
Following Shake Shack's successful move, other popular eateries such as Burger King, Taco Bell, and KFC are also getting ready to introduce self-service kiosks.
These kiosks are proving beneficial for businesses, helping to reduce the amount of money spent on staff. This comes at a time when paying workers more is becoming common.
Katie Fogerty, Shake Shack's finance chief, told Business Insider, "We're beginning to notice that we're saving money on labor costs." She added, "This is a big help, and we plan to keep finding ways to save more in the future."
These kiosks not only save money but also make sure orders are more accurate. Plus, they make it easier for restaurants to quickly change prices and update what's available on the menu.
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Kiosks Make Ordering Easier and Fun
Self-service kiosks are changing the way customers order at fast-food restaurants. These machines let people use their reward cards and take their time looking through the menu without feeling rushed by the staff.
This means they often buy more, including trying new items they wouldn't usually pick.
An expert told Business Insider that kiosks are designed to suggest more significant portions or extra items like fries or chips with guacamole.
The recent pandemic has also made people more willing to use these kiosks. Josh Kobza, the boss of Restaurant Brands International, which owns Burger King, noted that kiosks have become more popular now than a few years ago.
"Things have changed," he stated. "Customers in the U.S. are more open to using them now."
Kobza is aiming to make his company fully digital. "We need to move the business entirely to digital," he emphasized. He believes that all orders should be made digitally in the future, which is the ultimate goal for his company.
Shake Shack leads the pack with kiosks in 310 locations, setting a trend others are eager to follow. Taco Bell has already rolled out self-service machines across all its restaurants in the United States, showing just how popular this technology has become.
KFC is not far behind, with plans to equip 500 of its eateries with these kiosks by the end of 2023. The chain is even more ambitious in China, aiming to have self-checkout options in every location by 2026, underscoring the global appeal of this innovation.
McDonald's, a pioneer in adopting technology, boasts over 130,000 kiosks worldwide, showcasing the widespread adoption of this customer-friendly feature.
This move towards self-service technology modernizes the ordering process and reflects the fast-food industry's adaptation to changing consumer preferences, prioritizing convenience and efficiency.
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