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Self-service report from NRA Show 2013

Self-service ordering and other kiosks were showcased during last week's show.

May 24, 2013 by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

Kiosk technology was well represented at the recent National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago. Kiosks on display featured information about wayfinding, nutritional content, energy-efficient equipment and more.

QA Graphics offers nutritional kiosks for restaurants, such as a McDonald's franchisee in Texas, as well as energy-efficiency education. Marketing manager Sarah Erdman said the kiosks are a nice complement to digital menu boards, especially as federal regulations are put into place mandating nutritional transparency. The kiosks, however, can also provide entertainment while customers wait in line.

Some brands, including Applebees, have deployed the energy-efficiency education kiosks to earn a credit for LEED certification. The equipment provides information about how the restaurant is saving money through features such as solar paneling.

"This technology is editable, which provides a long-term appeal. If operators want to get their education credit or showcase nutritionals, they can. But they can also show specials, local events, news, weather, etc.," Erdman said.

Kiosks may provide an ideal outlet to entertain and inform guests, but many brands are still grappling with their utility as a self-service ordering feature, particularly in the U.S.

EMN8 just announced a major self-service rollout plan for Yum! Restaurants International, focusing on KFCs and Taco Bells in India. McDonald's, however, hinted during its shareholders meeting Thursday that it could experiment with the idea in the U.S. as it increases its dual-point service initiatives.

On the NRA Show floor, there were 26 self-ordering kiosk companies listed this year, compared to 27 last year and 23 in 2011.

The full list of this year's kiosk and self-ordering companies included:

• Archelon Enclosures
• Aurus Inc.
• BrightMenus LLC.
• BrightSign LLC.
• Bryfid Technologies Corp.
• Cognitive TPG
• Corporate Safe-Fire King Security Products
• DT Research
• eTouch Menu
• Hubworks Interactive
• InvisiPay
• Menugem
• Micros Systems
• NEC Display Solutions
• Nextep Systems
• ParTech Inc.
• PHiSTEK Inc.
• POS Lavu
• POSitouch
• QikServe Limited
• SmartCart Service System
• STRATACACHE
• Titbit Inc.
• TouchBistro
• VeriFone
• Wireless Ronin Technologies

Read more about self-service in restaurants.

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