Customer Experience

California zoo adds Gateway food-ordering kiosks

Image courtesy Gateway Ticketing Systems

August 11, 2026

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The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert, California, has expanded its use of Gateway Ticketing Systems' Galaxy platform to manage food and beverage sales, according to a press release. After bringing dining operations in-house in January 2024, the attraction tested self-service ordering at smaller outlets before deploying the system at Big Horn Cafe in April 2025. Seven kiosks now operate across five food locations.

The kiosks connect with digital kitchen displays from QSR Automations, replacing printed order tickets that could be lost when printers malfunctioned or ran out of paper. The integrated system also applies membership discounts and supports targeted promotions. IT Manager Frank Morales said preparing the kiosks, workstations and payment terminals in advance allowed the attraction to switch systems overnight with little disruption.

The Living Desert said food sales and demand have increased since the implementation, with lines forming at the kiosks during busy periods. The attraction plans to expand its grab-and-go service and mobile food carts while working to shorten order fulfillment times. Its longer-term plans include an events center and a full-service restaurant with table ordering, open tabs and bar service.