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The idea has been around for several years -- kiosk demos were big at the Foodservice Technology expo five years ago, and now they are entering the real world. From a business standpoint, it would seem to be a no-brainer: A kiosk is always on time, never needs a bathroom break, and won't give the customer -- or the manager -- any lip. But are they cheaper hires?
Michael Norwich, Jr., who owns a new Jack-in-the-Box with a kiosk in El Paso, TX, explains that cost savings aren't part of the appeal. "It may be that the kiosk results in a higher-than-average check or increases the volume of sales, but it's hard to quantify that so far, since we only opened two weeks ago." He's not at all sure the kiosk will end up costing less than a live employee. "We have a person who oversees the kiosk, who guides people through using it, hands them their beverage cups, things like that," Norwich points out. So why bother with the kiosk, if it doesn't save any dough? According to Norwich, it's all about the cool factor. "Its usage skews very high among the teen and young adult crowd," he says. "They're technologically savvy, and we figured they would like it."
What's the consumer perspective? One blogger described the kiosk interface he used in Bellevue, WA ,as "very well done and easy." While the voice lacked something to be desired -- "I have to imagine it would get annoying listening to [it] all day" -- the kiosk presented menu choices that the customer didn't know about, like the option to take a salad instead of fries.
There's still a little human interaction to be had. After an order is placed with the kiosk, customers wait for their numbers to be called by an actual live person. And for the technophobes among us, there are still plenty of employees with pulses to help you out. "Most orders in our store still go through a traditional point-of-sale system," Norwich says. Translation: Service with a smile.
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4-21-2010 @10:30AM Michael said... I love these for the simple reason that the mouth breathers manning the cash registers aren't competant. Any good cashier could easily take and process orders more efficiently than a kiosk (excepting some sort of "the usual" feature that recognizes the diner and prompts them to one-click their order) but the simple reality is that minimum wage employees are absolutely horrible about actually performing their jobs.
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4-24-2010 @12:02AM Jean said... Sounds like a scaled down version of the old time "Automats". Automats were great. All you did was pick out what you wanted , pay for it and away you went. Sounds like a good idea. I would be very interested in trying it.
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4-23-2010 @2:25PM labt3k said... Just another way to take away someones job. God this country is stupid!
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4-23-2010 @3:09PM Dorie said... Why is everyone in such a hurry to get thier fast food? Or any food ?Maybe you only have 30min. for lunch, but c'mon, someone (robot) still has to make it, pack it , give you the smile? I've met nice people standing in a line...what is so wrong/ troubling you/ that you can't wait in line for a few minutes? If you keep rushing like that, w/ the hurry up attidude...you won't have to worry anymore, you may be taking a long, long nap..
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4-23-2010 @4:21PM Dean said... Im in Va, grew up with a Jack in the Box right down the street and one next to my High School (Arlington Va)... now the closest one I know of is a few hours away..
I heard that they had problems with a rumor about being owned by Purina and used dog food for hambuger filler.. I dont care what they used.. the food was great!
come back to Va Jack in the box!!!! we miss you!..
"I want a jumbo jack with cheese (no sauce)-onion rings and a large coke.. maybe a couple Tacos, pleanty of hot sauce.. lol
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4-23-2010 @7:40PM Sandi said... Dean, That was the Jack-in-the-Box I used to go to as well! Right after a Warriors game, we'd head on down ... yum ... gimma a taco!!! The place is just not the same now that it's a Popeye's, is it? C'mon back to VA, Jack-in-the-Box!!! NC is just toooo far to go for a taco supreme!!!
4-23-2010 @4:57PM HELEN said... THE BEST SUPER TACOS IN THE WORLD!! WISH JACK IN THE BOX WAS NEAR ME IN NJ....
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4-23-2010 @5:01PM Annette said... They should do internet order/pay. Then you can run by and pick it up. That system works great for Dominos
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4-23-2010 @6:01PM whirple said... my hands never touch the people in line in front of me ; but, if i use the kiosk, i am touching the fingers of everybody who went before me and touched the screen. Now, i have to wash my hands before getting my food ? the restroom lines will be Long if everybody who goes into the restaurant lines up to wash hands after ordering. maybe that human who passes out cups will sterilize the screen for every customer? I doubt it.
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4-23-2010 @6:24PM Curtis said... I agree with previous comments, this is like self check-outs. The only problem I have with these concepts is simple.... I want a discount for doing someone else’s job. You want me to check myself out, fine, give me 10% off my purchase. You want me to place my own order, fine, give me a free up size on my value meal. I will not do someone else’s job without compensation.
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4-23-2010 @7:13PM mdog002 said... hey...maybe next JACK will have you cooking your own order???? WTF NEXT...just like self-checkout at Lowes or HomeDepot...the prices aren't going down; the machine never works right and it takes you twice as long to check out...I sent a letter to the two CEO of both corporations who could not provide an answer either....so I suspect you will be "pulling your order" off the receiving dock pretty soon....and another un or under educated (or illegal alien) is looking for the next minimum wage job.....OR BETTER YET BREAKING INTO YOUR HOUSE WHILE YOU ARE CHECKING YOURSELF OUT AT THE STORE OR J-N-T-B
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4-23-2010 @7:46PM GigisgoneGaGa said... I would rather see better food than automation. I would go there if the food wasn't so lousy at the new Jack in my neighborhood. They built this new upscale building but the food is not the same as the old Jack. And bring back the real super taco, would ya.
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