Gokis Kiosk Self-Service

NEXTEP expands services to different markets

NEXTEP SYSTEMS has developed new partnerships with a plethora of companies spanning several industries, including travel, retail, casinos and restaurants.

NEXTEP expands services to different markets | selfserviceworld.com

"Many of those markets were underserved in the past," said Tommy Woycik, the company's president.

One of NEXTEP's newest partners is in the grocery/deli industry. It's now providing Nevada-based Glazier's with iPad, Kiosk and OSM solutions.

Another grocer, Nino Salvaggio, also expanded its relationship with NEXTEP by adding smartphone ordering and scale integration, as well as updating its self-order Deli 1-2-3 Kiosks. The system greets customers, remembers their previous orders, suggests new and complementary items, and takes orders. It can also text the customer when an order is complete, reducing congestion at the deli counter.

Implementing digital menu displays is another way grocers are using self-service. Pyramid Foods in Springfield, Mo., recently deployed the displays to allow operators to customize content instantaneously and to engage the customers' attention, elevating sales and profits, Woycik said.

Features Include:

Shared administration with automated ordering
Integration of rich media (images, audio, video, animations)
Advertisement and promotional video frames
Immediate and zero-cost menu/media updates
Remote administration
Extensive screen layout templates
Woycik said NEXTEP is always open to working with new industries.

"Our criteria for analyzing these opportunities is rather simple," he said.

First, the company performs a gap analysis between its existing solution and the requirements of the new prospect.

"The less development required, the more likely we are to enter the new market," he said.

Second, NEXTEP performs an informal market analysis, looking at the industry trends, competitive landscape, barriers to entry and other factors specific to that industry.

"If we are convinced that we can take and maintain a leadership position in the new vertical market, we are likely to cooperate with a retailer in that industry to develop a new solution," Woycik said.

That's what happened with the airport restaurant industry. Tastes on the Fly, an LLC that runs several airport restaurants, recently deployed NEXTEP's digital menu displays at Dine Boston inside Boston Logan International Airport and in Napa Farms Market in San Francisco International Airport.

¡Que Bueno! of the Mission Restaurant Group at the Denver International Airport also recently implemented the digital menu boards.

NEXTEP not only provides the customer-facing solution, but also allows airport staff to control dayparting, pricing and graphics remotely via mynextep.net.

Other new NEXTEP partners inlcude the Mohegan Sun Hotel and Casino in Uncasville, Conn., and Cherokee Casino and Resort in West Siloam Springs, Okla. Both gaming venues have deployed kiosks to allow gamblers to order food and drinks.

One of the company's most recent restaurant partner is Boloco, a chain specializing in burritos. It's using NEXTEP's self-order kiosks, its NETPOS interface and Paytronix loyalty rewards interface in two of its restaurants. And Zoup! Fresh Soup Company deployed NEXTEP digital menu displays in five of its locations.

Lastly, Shaka's convenience stores in Idaho are using self-ordering kiosks with a custom user interface for their new sandwich concept. The gas stations now offer made-to-order sandwiches along with gasoline and the typical grab-and-go fare. And like the airport restaurants, Shaka's manages and monitors the touchscreen kiosks via mynextep.net

NEXTEP expands services to different markets | selfserviceworld.com

Quick-service-restaurant kiosks: What’s taking so long?

Kelso of QSRWeb article what is taking so long in QSR given success of Jack In The Box. Interviews Tommy Woycik of NEXTEP, Joe Stein of El Pollo Loco, and Brian Luscomb of Jack In The Box.

Quick-service-restaurant kiosks: What’s taking so long? | KioskMarketplace

Alicia Kelso editor, QSRWeb.com • 07 Sep 2010

By now, it’s almost a given that self-service kiosks have a place at the quick-service restaurant (QSR) table. But whether or not it’s at the head of the table or in a child-booster seat remains to be seen.

This concept has been discussed at least since 2006, when Subway, McDonald’s, Burger King and Arby’s began trying out kiosk systems, which allow customers to place and pay for orders themselves through a touch screen device.

And other chains have added kiosks here and there, but there hasn’t necessarily been an explosion as many predicted.

According to Tommy Woycik, president of kiosk supplier NEXTEP Systems, the restaurant industry is a bit of an anomaly. There has been an explosion in kiosk deployments in airports, grocery stores and casinos, but in restaurants, kiosks have “just sort of trickled into place,” he says.

“We’ve been doing this for six years, and every year our restaurant revenue has gone up 40 to 50 percent. It’s been good, sure, but it lags a lot behind other industries, which have doubled in that same time,” Woycik said. “We thought it’d be higher at restaurants — both in the fast casual and quick-service segments — but it’s just not at the same rates.”

What’s the holdup? Some companies are apprehensive about intimidating technology-trepid customers. Others might be trigger-shy about the cost of a new system rollout, nervous about obsolescing their workforce, or about compromising customer service.

What is certain is that the United States is behind European and Asian countries in embracing self-service systems by “10 to 12 years,” according to Woycik.

“It’s not that customers aren’t ready. This trend is evident in other industries, and people love it. They’d much rather self-serve than wait in line,” he said. “The biggest issue is restaurants worrying it impersonalizes customer service. But two-thirds of their business goes through the drive-thru, an experience that minimizes personalization. If I want to focus on customer service, I go to a nice steak house, not a fast food place.”

Woycik acknowledges that adding kiosks is a significant technology undertaking that dramatically changes the operational flow of a restaurant. In addition, the QSR industry is filled with franchisees that oftentimes must wait for the parent company’s blessing to make any changes. That can mean a two-tiered sales approach for kiosk suppliers, slowing down saturation.

“Often only the parent company prescribes what technology can be used. Which is understandable since they’re doing the accounting,” Woycik said.

That leads to a circle of ‘Can I do it?’ to ‘Go ahead but you’re paying for it,’ to ‘But I can’t afford it.’

Still, a number of chains continue to test the self-serve waters.

El Pollo Loco added self-serve kiosks in two California locations this summer and Jack in the Box now has about 230 installed in stores throughout the country. Both companies are supplied by EMN8.

Jack in the Box began testing kiosks in 2006 as part of the company’s strategy to reinvent the brand through innovation in guest services, menu and restaurant facilities. The company has plans in place for kiosk installation at additional locations based on dine-in sales volume and certain demographic information, as well as transaction data.

El Pollo Loco is just starting to get into the game and has no timetable set as to whether or not it will expand its kiosk presence. For now, the company is focused on perfecting the two stores that do have the equipment.

“We expect to make changes to the physical layout of the kiosks, the order screens and other adjustments based on customer feedback from our test in the two initial restaurants,” said Joe Stein, senior vice president of strategy and innovation.

The response to the kiosks has been thumbs-up and thumbs-down.

“We’ve received positive feedback from guests who like the technology, and negative feedback from guests who were initially taken aback by the kiosks in the lobby,” Stein said.

Rest of story

Deli Kiosks - Big Y Foods Inc. Implements NCR Deli Ordering Kiosks

Now featured in 18 Big Y stores throughout New England, each Big Y deli kiosk uses the NCR Netkey deli ordering application and several run on NCR EasyPoint(TM) Advantage kiosk hardware. All future Big Y stores will feature the combined NCR kiosk software and hardware solution.

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DULUTH, Ga., Sep 01, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- NCR Corporation (NCR 13.19, +0.34, +2.65%) today announced that Big Y Foods Inc. has completed its initial deployment of automated deli ordering kiosks powered by NCR's self-service technology. Now featured in 18 Big Y stores throughout New England, each Big Y deli kiosk uses the NCR Netkey deli ordering application and several run on NCR EasyPoint(TM) Advantage kiosk hardware. All future Big Y stores will feature the combined NCR kiosk software and hardware solution.

To use the kiosks, Big Y customers simply swipe their Big Y Express Savings card. The simple and intuitive touch screen enables shoppers to place and customize their meat or cheese order from the in-store deli. The NCR software determines the appropriate time for the customer to return to the deli counter to pick up their order, which is then printed at the bottom of the customer's receipt. An in-store announcement also alerts customers when their order is ready. Customers have the added convenience of being able to check the price of all in-store merchandise at the kiosks.

"The self-service kiosks extend even more choices to our shoppers as part of our commitment to deliver the best possible shopping experience," said Bill Classen, deli sales manager, Big Y Foods Inc. "Our customers appreciate the option to place their deli orders without waiting in line and the extra convenience the kiosks provide."

The NCR Netkey management software is the first to bring together in-store digital advertising and self-service kiosks under a single platform, enabling retailers to leverage rich multimedia content across digital signs and kiosks. For example, retailers could opt to use digital advertising to promote their frequent shopper program and then make it easy for shoppers to enroll at self-service kiosks.

"The deli is often one of the highest profit centers for grocers, but it can also be the most frustrating and delay-filled part of the customer's shopping experience," said Dusty Lutz, general manager, NCR Netkey kiosk and digital signage solutions. "Grocers can use the NCR Netkey deli ordering application as part of an integrated loyalty program, in a converged retailing -- or c-tailing -- manner, to deliver targeted offers to consumers and simplify ordering for loyalty card members based on their previous purchases, saving valuable time and improving the shopping experience."

NCR Netkey is one of NCR's c-tailing(TM) solutions, a set of software and services that enable retailers to offer consumers greater personalization and consistency across channels, such as the Internet, mobile devices, social media and in the store. These converged retailing solutions enable retailers to differentiate themselves, lower operating costs and attract today's empowered and elusive consumer. Additional information on the NCR c-tailing solutions can be found at: http://www.ncr.com/c-tailing.

About Big Y Foods, Inc.

Headquartered in Springfield, MA, Big Y is one of the largest independently owned supermarket chains in New England. Proud to be family owned and operated, they currently operate 56 stores throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts with over 9,100 employees. Founded in 1936 by brothers Paul and Gerald D'Amour, the store was named after an intersection in Chicopee, Massachusetts where two roads converge to form a "Y".

About NCR Corporation

NCR Corporation (NCR 13.19, +0.34, +2.65%) is a global technology company leading how the world connects, interacts and transacts with business. NCR's assisted- and self-service solutions and comprehensive support services address the needs of retail, financial, travel, healthcare, hospitality, entertainment, gaming and public sector organizations in more than 100 countries. NCR (www.ncr.com) is headquartered in Duluth, Georgia.

NCR is a trademark of NCR Corporation in the United States and other countries.

SOURCE: NCR Corporation

NCR Corporation
Cameron Smith, 770-623-7998
[email protected]

Drive Thru Ordering at Subway Deployed

New outdoor ordering option for Subway features weatherproof 32" LCD with Display Positioning System. Future enhancements include credit card reader and barcode scanner.

Touch-Screen Drive-Thru Kiosks

Subway: NEXTEP SYSTEMS Touch Screen Drive-Thru Delivers ROI in 24 Weeks

A 20-year veteran with 25 successful Subway® franchises, Rob Woodward recently added NEXTEP SYSTEMS touch-screen kiosks to restaurants in Loveland, Colorado and Cheyenne, Wyoming.

“The only way to do drive-thru today is with this kiosk,” said Woodward, who now has four restaurants with touch-screen drive-thru kiosks. “Previously we had to have a dedicated employee asking and answering 50 questions about each sandwich. It was a slow, inaccurate and very costly means of taking orders. Our customers love the new system.”

“With the NEXTEP SYSTEMS kiosk, an average store will make enough additional profit to pay for the kiosk in six months,” estimated Woodward. “Not only does the kiosk generate an additional 15% increase in sales, it also saves 40 employee hours per week, as it doesn’t require someone dedicated to taking orders.”

Woodward said NEXTEP SYSTEMS kiosks are “faster, more accurate, and are more profitable” than traditional drive-thrus, and orders are larger. “The interactive kiosks are not shy about prompting customers for double meat or extra cheese,” said Woodward.

“The touch-screen drive-thru kiosks account for 30% to 35% of our sales. I'd guess half those customers would come inside anyway. That still translates into 15% increase in sales,” explained Woodward. “A $10,000 per week store would generate additional $1,500 in weekly sales. Labor doesn't increase much; food, royalties, and labor are approximately 50%. That translates to $750 per week clear profit.”

“Our investment in a drive thru kiosk is typically paid back within 24 weeks. Obviously it starts a little slower until customers use it, but payback is clearly huge,” said Woodward, who will be installing NEXTEP SYSTEMS kiosks in additional locations.

Subway recently began offering a full breakfast menu. “The fast-food breakfast segment is dominated by just one or two major players," said Woodward. "Subway can beat the competition in quality, freshness and health. Convenience is the primary hurdle. I believe that the NEXTEP kiosks are a key component to Subway's speed, accuracy and profitability in drive-thru business.”

“Throughput speed and customer satisfaction will increase even further once we enable customer payment at the kiosks this spring,” said Tommy Woycik, president of NEXTEP SYSTEMS. “Once the credit-card reader and barcode scanner are activated, we will have the ability to identify a specific customer, and the system will remember and display their previous order preferences.”

NEXTEP has worked with Subway since 2005. “Our enterprise management package provides an affordable and simple solution for the franchisee to modify menu options for any given location remotely,” said Woycik. “It provides a critical capability since each Subway location can have unique menu items, hours and prices.” Subway has more than 30,000 franchise locations worldwide.

The touch screen kiosks were developed by NEXTEP SYSTEMS and MRI, an industry leader in outdoor kiosk and digital signage hardware. Running NEXTEP SYSTEMS’ software, the kiosks feature a weatherproof 32” vertical interactive touch screen with an ambient light sensor to adjust brightness, and a Display Positioning System (DPS) to correctly adjust the ordering area for varying vehicle heights. They are available with a proximity sensor to welcome each customer as well as a webcam and premium audio system that allows restaurant staff to view and interact with the customer if needed.

Woodward was involved in the first generation of NEXTEP SYSTEMS touch screen kiosks installed between 2006 and 2008.

NEXTEP SYSTEMS, based in Troy, Michigan, is a leading provider of automated ordering solutions for QSR, casinos, airports, sporting arenas, grocery stores, hotels and other high-volume venues. NEXTEP’s core business revolves around self-service kiosks, Dynamic Digital Menu Displays™ and online ordering platforms. Subway® is a registered trademark of Doctors Associates Inc.

NEXTEP SYSTEMS Extends Foodservice Kiosk Pilot in Four Harrah's Entertainment Casinos

TROY, Mich., Nov. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- NEXTEP SYSTEMS (www.nextepsystems.com) announced today that Harrah's Entertainment, Inc., has extended NEXTEP's flagship Casino Express(TM) foodservice kiosk pilot into four additional casino locations. NEXTEP is a leading developer of intuitive self-service solutions including touch screen kiosks, digital menu boards and online ordering.

Due to the promising results of NEXTEP's pilot Casino Express touch screen ordering solution installed at The Deli at Harrah's Resort Atlantic City in the summer of 2008, an additional four touch screen kiosk systems have been deployed in Horseshoe Tunica, Miss.; Harrah's St. Louis; Horseshoe Hammond, Ind.; and Showboat Atlantic City, N.J. The kiosks, which were installed during September and October of 2009, are tailored for Harrah's customer service experience, branded for each restaurant and covered by NEXTEP's 24/7/365 Diamond Support technical service.

"Based on the promising initial results from our pilot in Atlantic City, we have rolled out to four additional resorts and are excited to continue to work with NEXTEP on this solution," said Jay Snowden, senior vice president and general manager of Harrah's Resort and Showboat Atlantic City.

"Harrah's is a model example of a visionary company committed to success through the use of technology and integration of industry best practices," said Tommy Woycik, president and co-founder of NEXTEP SYSTEMS. "It's not just about the technology itself, but the way in which it is implemented that matters. Harrah's took 100 percent of our best-practice recommendations, and because of this commitment, its return on investment is showing immediate signs of payoff and will be even more dramatic in the long run."

"The true leaders in the casino industry are distinguishing themselves from their competitors as they extend the use of the self-serve format to their foodservice venues through systems that incorporate reliable and failsafe technology, intuitive user interfaces and creative and appealing screen design content," Woycik said.

NEXTEP has also partnered with foodservice providers in the airport, deli, restaurant, government facility, and stadium and arena operations. NEXTEP's growing client roster includes, among others: OTG Management/JFK Airport's JetBlue Airways Terminal 5; Delaware North Companies; Baesler's fresh food market; Lettuce Entertain You's Wow Bao Asian cuisine restaurants; TacoTime; METRO Silver Diner; the U.S. Patent Office; the U.S. Military Academy at West Point; and Boston's TD Garden sports and entertainment arena.

Since its founding in 2004, NEXTEP has grown more than 100 percent annually and has implemented more than 1,000 self-order kiosks throughout the U.S. and Canada. As companies continue to search for ways to boost revenue and maximize the foodservice experience, NEXTEP is poised to lead the way by providing the customized solutions to fit and exceed their needs.

About NEXTEP SYSTEMS (www.nextepsystems.com)
NEXTEP SYSTEMS develops a comprehensive and intuitive self-service product suite for the foodservice industry. A leader in customizing automated ordering solutions and robust digital signage, NEXTEP serves airports, deli operations, casinos, restaurants, stadiums and arenas. NEXTEP's solutions are tailored for individual vertical markets and include complete customer-facing technology designed to improve customer service, reduce expenses and deliver continuous growth and revenue-boosting opportunities for its clients. For more information and product demos, contact NEXTEP at [email protected], 866-654-8730 or visit www.nextepsystems.com.

SOURCE NEXTEP SYSTEMS

'Holy Grail' Nearing Local Grill: Food-Order Kiosks Rolling Out

Some splash news on new deli order terminals installed in Metro Silver Diners. Also mentions 70 in Subway.

By PATRICK SEITZ, INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY
Posted 10/08/2009 07:31 PM ET

Metro Silver Diners in Maryland and Virginia use Nextep kiosks. View Enlarged Image

The next time you're asked "Do you want fries with that?" the asker might be a robot.

The restaurant industry is widely expected to be the next big market for consumer self-service technology. After years of testing, quick-service, deli and casual restaurants are starting to deploy order-taking kiosks.

Food-ordering kiosks are viewed by many in the restaurant field as the Holy Grail, says Thomas "Tommy" Woycik, president of kiosk maker Nextep Systems. "The potential is absolutely huge," he said, "but the current penetration is still very low."

Nextep has supplied about 70 self-order kiosks for Subway sandwich shops, which are testing the technology. The chain has some 30,000 locations in more than 90 countries.

"The potential for this technology is much larger than for a lot of the other self-service markets, such as self-check-in at the airport," Woycik said. "There are far fewer airports than there are Subways or Starbucks or McDonald's."

2.56 Million Kiosks By 2014

Big quick-serve and fast-casual sandwich restaurants have been testing self-ordering kiosks — computerized machines, or robots — for about five years. The technology has improved greatly since then, so the chains are closer to wide-scale rollouts, Woycik says.

Food-ordering kiosks are part of the bigger shift toward consumer self-service.

The number of self-service kiosks worldwide is expected to jump to 2.56 million in 2014 from just over 1 million this year, a compound annual growth rate of nearly 19%, says Larry Fisher, an analyst at NextGen Research. The top kiosk applications this year are entertainment, retail and travel.

Leading quick-serve restaurants are considering large-scale deployments of food-ordering kiosks starting next year, Fisher says.

Woycik says the benefits of self-ordering kiosks in restaurants are clear. Sales typically rise 20% to 30%, he says. The hike comes from suggestive upselling and the ability to fulfill more orders at peak times.

"A kiosk can consistently outperform an employee at upselling," Woycik said. "You know, 'Would you like to add fries with that? Would you like bacon on your sandwich?' That type of stuff."

Why? The appetizing pictures on the kiosk display, for one. Seeing crispy bacon on a sandwich or a frosty ice cream cone on the screen works better than words alone.

Also, consumers have a natural inclination to say "no" when they feel they're being upsold by a person, Woycik says.

Plus, by automating the ordering process, the same number of employees can fulfill more orders at peak periods, Woycik says. The kiosks keep the line moving, eliminating walk-aways. "Throughput is increased 10% to 20%, easily, during peak periods," he said. Employees who normally work the register can be put to work filling orders.

Remote call centers help self-service with McDonalds

McDonalds has been experimenting with remote employees handling the drive thru self-service ordering. This free's up employees at the restaurant to improve delivery times & quality/ McDonalds ranks fourth in speed of service (Wendy's is #1 at 121 seconds).

That order taker may be at home

McDonald's test aims for more speed, accuracy

By Kelly House and Chris Otts
The Courier-Journal

nstead of getting the usual greeting from a restaurant worker shouting over the din of a noisy kitchen, customers who drive through the McDonald's in Sellersburg, Ind., might have their orders taken by a stay-at-home mom in North Dakota.

That McDonald's is the first in the Louisville area to experiment with off-site order takers. The drive-through speakers are operated mainly by home workers in rural states like North Dakota and Montana. They punch in orders on home computers and transmit them to screens in the Sellersburg restaurant's kitchen.

The store has been running the system since December.

John Yelenosky, manager of 30 corporate-owned McDonald's in Kentucky and Indiana, said the Sellersburg store and one in Columbus, Ind., are among about 100 nationwide testing the idea.

Rather than saving money, the goal is to improve order accuracy and free up workers to fill orders faster, he said. Increased efficiency could lead to more sales, Yelenosky added.

In the fast-food drive-through business, time is money. The more efficiently customers are moved through the line means more time to sell more food. It's common for fast-food restaurants to time every transaction, looking for a way to shave a second here or there.

Wendy's ranked first last year in QSR Magazine's survey of fastest drive-throughs with an average time of 131.08 seconds; McDonald's was fourth at 158.77 seconds.

While in-store order takers have to operate cash registers and deal with kitchen noises, off-site order takers “can sit in a very quiet atmosphere and focus on the customer and getting the order right,” Yelenosky said.

Shannon Mauck, a floor supervisor at the Sellersburg store, said she likes the system. “Instead of two people taking orders, I have two people to help with other things.”

Around 2005, McDonald's began experimenting with centralized call centers to take orders, but the concept has shifted to at-home workers, Yelenosky said.

Corporate spokeswoman Danya Proud said the results “so far have been positive,” but no decision has been made to expand the system.

Virginia Ferguson, a spokeswoman for Louisville-based Yum! Brands,— said its KFC and Taco Bell— chain do not have plans to outsource order taking.

Mauck said the change has led to better service at the bustling Sellersburg store just off Interstate 65, but customers occasionally complain when operators are too quiet.

Yelenosky said correcting orders is not difficult because the computer software gives the remote order takers one-touch access to the in-store manager.

Reporter Chris Otts can be reached at (502) 582-4589

Big Blue to market, support California company’s kiosks

Announcement today that EMN8 is turning over the manufacture of its food ordering kiosk over to IBM. EMN8 had some positive news a few months ago with installation into Hardee's. The fast food kiosk has yet to realize it's promise. Maybe this is more IBM not allowing NCR to continue with it's free run thru self-service verticals.

IBM has reached an agreement with San Diego-based EMN8 to jointly manufacture, market and support EMN8’s self-service order and pay kiosks, the companies announced Monday.

Armonk, N.Y.-based IBM (NYSE: IBM) designs, tests and builds pay kiosks at its Retail Innovations Center in Research Triangle Park. EMN8’s kiosks are designed for use in fast casual and quick service restaurants (QSRs), a market in which IBM has established a presence. Under the agreement, EMN8 will transition production of its kiosk hardware platform to IBM.

“IBM’s 20-plus years in the kiosk marketplace and experience working with QSRs enables us to provide EMN8 with tested technology and services that will help them to achieve greater scalability and reach,” Brenda Harvey, vice president of Integrated Technology Services, part of IBM’s Global Technology Services, said in a statement.

The companies said the agreement was signed in the second quarter. Under the deal, IBM sales representatives will be able to market EMN8’s kiosks and future generations of kiosk products jointly developed by both companies. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

IBM employs about 10,500 in RTP.

Press Release: EMN8 deploys with Arby's in Tulsa

San Diego, CA, - June 4, 2009 - EMN8 Inc., the leading developer of innovative consumer self-service order and payment systems for quick service restaurants, makes a meaty move in its partnership with the Tulsa-based Arby’s franchise, United States Beef Corporation (U.S. Beef), with the installation of the state-of-the-art kiosks in Tulsa’s Arby’s.

Source link on EMN8

EMN8’s solution brings an engaging interactive ordering experience to the consumer and seamlessly integrates with the operator’s point-of-sale system for real-time, high volume order processing.

“One of U.S. Beef’s key strategies is providing a superior customer experience. The EMN8 kiosk delivers on this strategy through an engaging customer self-service option. An additional technical aspect to our decision is a solution that fully integrates with our existing Radiant POS. EMN8’s experience, technology, and focus on integration ensured success in delivering an exceptional customer self-service experience.” said U.S. Beef’s Senior Director of Information Technology Jeff Turner.

EMN8 Vice President of Engineering and Systems Integration Abraham Panahi expands: “Thanks to a collaborative effort between U.S. Beef, Radiant Systems and EMN8, we delivered a fully integrated and secure solution that can enhance both customer service and operating margins.”

EMN8’s self-service product is a media-driven, personalized, interactive kiosk experience. It has a strong appeal in the QSR target market, and resonates with the media-oriented 18-34 year old consumer, as well as other guests who like the convenience, choice, speed of service and personalization.

About United States Beef Corporation
United States Beef Corporation is the largest Arby’s franchisee worldwide. Founded by Bob and Connie Davis in 1969, United States Beef Corporation has earned the reputation of striving to ensure a superior fast food dining experience by providing the highest quality food and friendly service in a clean and relaxed atmosphere. The company currently has over 260 Arby’s restaurants in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Illinois and Missouri.

About EMN8 Inc.
EMN8 is the leading developer of consumer self-service order and payment systems for the quick service restaurant and fast casual dining industries. Its products leverage innovative technology and designs, cash and payment card handling capabilities, integration with leading point-of-sale applications, and compatibility with industry leading kiosk and POS hardware. EMN8 systems have been deployed within major QSR brands including Arby’s, Burger King, Carl’s Jr., Hardee’s, Jack in the Box and Wienerschnitzel.

Contact EMN8 – Madeline Pantalone, Vice President of Marketing at (858) 784-0800 or [email protected].

Deli Kiosks Testing Jack in the Box

Latest trial for Jack In The Box going on in Phoenix, AZ. Application provider is EMN8.

[2009-06-04] Stine Enterprises Inc., owner-operator of Jack in the Box restaurants, added state-of-the-art kiosk ordering in its restaurant located at Avondale Blvd. and Van Buren Street in Phoenix, Arizona, and franchise president Steve Stine has designs on expanding to at least 10 additional locations in the greater Phoenix area.

"I decided to implement kiosks when I saw the level of guest enthusiasm and overall customer satisfaction in Jack in the Box restaurants where the kiosks were installed," Stine says. "Kiosks facilitate the ordering process, our guests like it, and it improves our ability to serve our guests during our busiest times. Once one of our cashiers is freed from standing at the register, she can focus on other tasks that improve service and the guest experience."

The interactive interface and convenient ordering attracts Stine's guests resulting in more than 100 kiosk orders each day. The kiosk presents food options that are not easily displayed on the menu board and may not be suggested readily by the cashier. Guests move quickly through the kiosk's colorful graphic-filled menu and order items by simply touching the screen.

To encourage guests to try the kiosk, Stine is offering a free item or free upgrade with each kiosk order during the program's introduction. In addition, an employee will act as kiosk host to assist first time users and facilitate order taking during the restaurant's busiest times.

San Diego-based EMN8 designed the Jack in the Box kiosk and worked directly with the Stine Enterprises to integrate self-service kiosk ordering into its restaurant operation.

New Self-Order Deli Trial Kiosk at Tim Horton's

New proof-of-concept going on Tim Horton's in Canada. Sounds like application still needs some tuning. Note the credit card terminal appended to the unit as well. 

Triple, triple toil and trouble at Tim Hortons test kiosk

MICHAEL STUPARYK / TORONTO STAR
At the Tim Hortons outlet at Bloor St. W. and Dufferin St., the company is testing a self-order kiosk. It is supposed to make ordering more efficient.

May 26, 2009 04:30 AM
Comments on this story (4)
ERIN KOBAYASHI
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A new "self-order kiosk" was set up at my neighbourhood Tim Hortons and I was eager to try it.

Only the second self-order kiosk in Canada, the new machine is a guinea pig in the downtown area (the first is across from the Tim Hortons headquarters in Oakville) with an aim to make ordering faster, more efficient and with less human contact than ever before.

As I walked into the Tims at 1094 Bloor St W., one block east of Dufferin St., I couldn't help but laugh at my fellow caffeine addicts all lined up, knowing I would soon overtake them thanks to this new technology.

Stepping up to the streamlined machine with its thin neck and flat-panel screen, I read that I needed a Tim Card or MasterCard to operate it so I had to line up anyway. After my Tim Card purchase, I swiped the machine to begin my order, a large triple triple coffee (yes, I know I have a problem, and that was only emphasized when "double" was the largest dosage that came up on the screen).

After pressing the cream and sugar buttons three times each, I wondered what my aunt would do; she only likes a half-measure of cream (not half a cup of cream, which is what sometimes what she ends up with).

All of the regular menu items – doughnuts, bagels, sandwiches, soups – appeared on the screen as well but subtle changes in an order can be overlooked.

For example, hash browns are available only in the morning although the machine offers the item throughout the day.

Unfortunately, I did not see the "coffee refill" button at the bottom of my screen and did not utilize the reusable cup I brought along so I was given paper (a large refill is 10 cents less).

I was also surprised that modern technology did not offer an array of languages my order could be taken in, considering this Tim Hortons is in a predominantly Spanish-speaking neighbourhood and – bonjour! – Canada has two official languages. In fairness, Tim's head office says the machine is only in the test phase and, if successful, it will be able to offer service in several languages.

As I walked up to the counter to get my order, essentially re-lining up to get my coffee, triple-tripling my time there, the friendly and very human Tim Hortons employee sincerely apologized for the wait.

I bet a machine could never do that.

NEXTEP Integrates Self Order Kiosks with SpeedLine POS

NEXTEP SYSTEMS continues making inroads into the quick-serve restaurant market. Integration with POS backend systems are critical and NEXTEP continues to distinguish itself in that regard.

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LYNDEN, WA—April 17, 2009—Restaurant point of sale developer SpeedLine announced integration between its SpeedLine POS software and touch screen kiosk solutions by NEXTEP SYSTEMS, a Troy, Michigan, manufacturer of automated ordering and digital signage solutions.

“SpeedLine integration provides customers with a best-of-breed total solution,” said Tommy Woycik, NEXTEP president. “We were able to integrate our kiosk solution seamlessly with SpeedLine POS using the company’s OrderLink Gateway.”

NEXTEP and SpeedLine installed the first countertop self-service kiosks and integrated point of sale system at the newly-opened Sylvan Lake, Alberta, location of TacoTime, a Kahala Corporation quick-serve restaurant concept.

“Through NEXTEP, we can now offer SpeedLine users self-service ordering solutions that can increase ticket size, reduce labor costs, and improve speed of service,” added SpeedLine president John de Wolde. “We are pleased to welcome NEXTEP SYSTEMS as a valuable new solutions provider in the SpeedLine Technology Network.”

Product Demo

POS news - Subway Announces new system

Subway to Implement Restaurant POS across 30,000 Global Locations. SUBWAY announces a partnership with Torex to implement its Quick Service Restaurant POS solution globally. Upon completion of the roll out the SUBWAY chain…as posted on gokiosk.net

Deli Kiosks from NextChoice

Powered by new IBM AnyPlace(TM) Kiosks, NextChoice's flagship NextWave Intelligent Self-Service software suite is allowing customers in more than 30 Giant Eagle GetGo stores to place orders directly at the sandwich counter, significantly reducing lines and waiting time, while simultaneously allowing customers to shop in the store for additional grocery items.

NextChoice & IBM Collaborate on Major Self-Service Kiosk Deployment at Giant Eagle GetGo Stores - MarketWatch

NextChoice & IBM Collaborate on Major Self-Service Kiosk Deployment at Giant Eagle GetGo Stores
Largest Smart Self-Service Deployment in Convenience Store Industry

Last update: 10:40 a.m. EDT Sept. 3, 2008
STRATHAM, NH, Sep 03, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- NextChoice, the Smart Self-Service(TM) company, today announced that Giant Eagle has taken delivery of its intelligent self-service kiosk ordering system.
Powered by new IBM AnyPlace(TM) Kiosks, NextChoice's flagship NextWave Intelligent Self-Service software suite is allowing customers in more than 30 Giant Eagle GetGo stores to place orders directly at the sandwich counter, significantly reducing lines and waiting time, while simultaneously allowing customers to shop in the store for additional grocery items.
"We are pleased with the results thus far," said Jon Fischer, business area director of Giant Eagle retail operations. "By integrating into our IBM point of sale, NextChoice enables us to efficiently produce the right amount and variety of products to best meet customers' needs. In addition, we gain greater central management of our own promotions and menu design, enabling us to more quickly bring new initiatives to market."
The NextChoice Self-Service offering unifies customer ordering and payment with the collection and management of customer transaction data and preferences into one fully integrated, centralized solution platform.
"This is an excellent example of NextChoice working with leading technology companies like IBM to deliver solutions that help our mutual clients win in the marketplace," said Dick Andersen, CEO of NextChoice. "It's all about providing client value, about providing integrated offerings that help them enhance the buying experience for customers patronizing their stores."
About NextChoice
NextChoice, the Smart Self-Service(TM) company, is a leading self-service software provider to the restaurant and grocery industries. The company's NextWave Intelligent Self-Service System unites and integrates the customer experience, store operations and marketing promotions across a single platform. The NextChoice product portfolio includes six NextPoint(TM) Touchpoints and the NextView(TM) centralized Management platform. For more information visit the company at www.nextchoice.com or [email protected]
About Giant Eagle
Giant Eagle Inc., ranked 33 on Forbes magazine's largest private corporations list and recipient of Grocery Headquarters' 2007 Retailer of the Year Award and the EPA's ENERGY STAR Retail Partner of the Year Award, is one of the nation's largest food retailers and food distributors with approximately $8 billion in annual sales. Founded in 1931, Giant Eagle, Inc. has grown to be the number one supermarket retailer in the region with 162 corporate and 61 independently owned and operated supermarkets in addition to 145 fuel and convenience stores throughout western Pennsylvania, Ohio, north central West Virginia and Maryland. Further information can be found at www.GiantEagle.com.

Contact:
Dick Andersen
NextChoice
603.812.0202
Email Contact

Kiosk Case Study - Deli Pre-Ordering stations

Case Study: Nino's lets customers preorder at kiosks. Nino Salvaggio, the specialty grocer best known for its fresh produce and imported gourmet foods, is applying fast-food restaurant technology to its deli department to reduce the other thing it's known for -- long lines.

Nino Salvaggio stores in Troy, St. Clair Shores and Clinton Township have the new Deli Express kiosks up and running. The Farmington Hills store, set to close in August, does not have the kiosks.

The kiosks are at the front of the store so as customers come in they can order their sliced meats and cheeses. They can pick up their order 10 minutes later in the deli.

Nino's President Kirk Taylor worked with Nextep Systems in Troy on being the first area grocer to use the technology. The touch-screen kiosks were installed in February. Taylor would not disclose the cost.

Nextep specializes in automated ordering systems and counts Randazzo's Fresh Markets, Papa Romano's and Mr. Pita as clients.

"It was an instant hit," Taylor said. "Customers say this is the best thing we've ever done."

The kiosks add to the experience and speed traffic in the store's high-volume deli departments, Taylor said.

"When you come to a store like this, the shopping experience is special," he said. "But you know what? There is nothing special about waiting at the deli."

The kiosks give shoppers information on weekly specials. They can select the amount of each item they want on the touch screen. The kiosk prints an order receipt.

Taylor wants to make the deli even more convenient. Soon customers will be able to access the deli kiosk from their home computer to preorder.

Taylor said the company is scouting for a new location in Farmington Hills for a 50,000-square-foot store. The current store is 25,000 square feet and does not fit the new business model, he said.

The Clinton Township store, despite some rumors, is not being purchased by the owners of the new Mall at Partridge Creek for a parking lot, he said.

"We're not going anywhere," Taylor said.

Contact GRETA GUEST at 313-223-4192 or [email protected]

[kiosk supplied by KIOSK of Colorado]