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‍McDonald’s and Burger King are coming up with self-service kiosks across the U.S. Shake Shack already has them in nearly all of its stores, and Taco Bell has gone all-in with kiosks everywhere. Even Panera Bread has fully embraced them as part of their digital-first game plan.

Clearly, self-service kiosks are no mere trend but a necessity for restaurants aiming to stay competitive.

Are kiosks worth the hype? This blog breaks that down for you: the real benefits of kiosks in restaurants, the possible challenges (yes, there are a few but nothing you can’t handle). And there’s a bonus: a self-service kiosk implementation checklist!

Let’s dig in.

What Are Self-Service Kiosks?

Self-service kiosks are a digital ordering system, usually a touchscreen setup, that allows customers to place and customize their orders without speaking to a staff member.

Customers enjoy not waiting in line and face no risk of misheard orders. Your diners get a clear, visual interface that walks them through the ordering process.

Where Are They Used?

Self-ordering kiosks are now common in:

• Quick-Service Restaurants (QSRs), like burger chains and pizza places
• Fast-casual restaurants, like salad bars, sandwich spots, or Mexican grills
• Hybrid dine-in spaces for pickup or express lunch options

Types of Self-Serve Kiosks

Kiosks vary widely in design. Common types include:

• Freestanding Touchscreen Kiosks: Bigger ones, usually placed near the entrance or order queue. Great for busy QSRs.
• Tabletop Tablets: Smaller screens, placed at each table. Ideal for casual dine-in restaurants.
• Mobile Kiosks: Tablets placed on stands or carts. Super flexible and great for locations with limited space.

Some setups even include QR code ordering. The customer simply scans, places the order using their mobile, and pays without downloading an app.

Why Restaurants Love Self-Serve Kiosks

Over 80% of Americans prefer using self-service kiosks. Moreover, 66% would choose a kiosk over a manned checkout. Customers love it, and thus, the restaurants love it. 

But is this the only reason why restaurants, big chains and small joints, are going for the self-serve approach? Let's find out:

1. Faster Service = Happier Customers

No one enjoys waiting in line, especially when they’re hangry. In fact, 14% of Americans said that they would wait for a self-service kiosk even if there were no queue at staffed checkouts, with manual checkouts being time-consuming as a major reason. 

A self ordering kiosk for restaurants speeds up the entire ordering process. Multiple people can place orders at once, without needing a human cashier for each one. That means:

• Shorter queues
• Faster table turnover
• More satisfied guests who are likely to return

2. Lower Labor Costs Without Compromising Service

According to the National Restaurant Association’s 2024 State of the Restaurant Industry report, 45% of restaurant operators need more employees to meet customer demand. 

Fulfilling this demand leads to high labor costs. Plus, employee hiring and employee retention are tough and expensive. Self-service kiosks won’t replace your team, but they can decrease the pressure on your existing front-of-house staff. You’ll need fewer people manning the register. Consequently, you can reallocate resources to food prep, cleaning, or customer service.

The result? Lower operational costs and a team that’s less stressed and burdened during rush hours.

3. Built-in Upselling That Actually Works

Anything that's digital and machine-oriented, we tend to be less thoughtful and mindful. We tend to indulge more. We tend to spend more. 

– Dipayan Biswas, Professor of Marketing, University of South Florida 

Unlike human staff who might forget to suggest fries with that burger, kiosks are experts at upselling, every single time. They can automatically suggest add-ons, upgrades, combo deals, or popular items based on the customer’s selections. 

In fact, customers spend from 15% to 42% more when ordering using a kiosk. The numbers are even higher for independent restaurants. This small nudge at the checkout adds up to bigger average order values.

4. Fewer Order Errors

Suppose a customer asks for a gluten-free Margherita pizza. But your staff mishears it and brings a regular crust instead. Now, your customer is frustrated and potentially sick. On top of that, your team has to remake the order, wasting time, ingredients, and money. 

Self-service kiosks decrease human error, as customers enter their preferences directly. No misheard orders. Just clean, accurate inputs that go straight to the kitchen.

5. Personalized Ordering Experience

Some people want to ask a dozen questions before ordering. Others want to swipe, tap, pay, and go. Self-service kiosks cater to both types. Customers can browse at their own pace and customize their meals exactly how they like. No awkward pressure of ordering in a hurry. 

6. Better Business Insights (Without Guesswork)

Self-service kiosks collect data. Lots of it. You’ll get insights on:

• What the bestselling item
• When your busiest hours are
• How customers customize their meals
• Which upsells work and which ones flop

This kind of info can help you make smarter menu management, staff scheduling, and menu pricing decisions. 

7. Easy Integrations With POS & Loyalty Programs

Modern kiosks integrate with your existing restaurant POS system, kitchen display systems, and even loyalty program apps. That means:

• Real-time updates and advanced POS reports across systems
• Loyalty rewards auto-applied at checkout
• Smoother kitchen operations

It’s all synced. No extra effort from your staff or your customers.

Challenges of Self-Serve Kiosk Implementation (And How to Overcome Them)

Kiosks can indeed work wonders, but implementing them might come with a few bumps. Having said that, none of these challenges are deal-breakers. Every problem has a pretty simple solution.

High Initial Investment Costs

Kiosks can feel expensive upfront, between hardware, software, and setup.

The fix:

• Run a ROI analysis. You're likely to recover costs through labor savings and higher average orders.
• Go for phased implementation. For example, start with one or two kiosks in key areas before expanding.
• Explore financing options. Many vendors offer leasing or subscription models that decrease upfront cost.

Technical Glitches and Downtime

Like all technology, kiosks may occasionally experience technical glitches.

The fix:

• Choose a reliable vendor with great reviews and proven uptime, like OneHubPOS.
• Ask about support contracts and real-time troubleshooting availability.
• Keep one manual register open during early days of implementation.

Learning Curve for Staff and Customers

Some customers and staff may initially resist adopting new technology, particularly during peak times.

The fix:

• Train your team before launch, including how to help customers on the spot.
• Use help screens, tooltips, and short explainer videos on the kiosk itself.
• Incentivize usage with early-bird discounts or rewards to encourage adoption.

Self-Serve Kiosk Implementation Checklist

Thinking of moving ahead with kiosks? Here’s an essential checklist to help you plan a successful rollout:

This checklist can be your cheat sheet as you move from “maybe” to “let’s do this.”

Manual Ordering vs. Self-Serve Kiosk Experience

To really understand the impact of kiosks, let’s compare the traditional manual ordering experience with what kiosks bring to the table.

Here’s a quick side-by-side:

OneHubPOS Makes Kiosk Implementation Easy

Self-serve kiosks have gone beyond giant chains. More and more independent restaurants, fast casual spots, and even cafes are opting for them.

The benefits:

• Faster service
• Lower labor costs
• Better upselling
• Greater order accuracy
• Rich customer insights

The challenges (But all fixable!):

• High setup costs – Offset by ROI and financing
• Tech issues – Solved with great vendors and support
• Learning curve – Easy with onboarding and signage

If you’re considering self-serve kiosks, OneHubPOS offers an all-in-one solution, hardware, software, and support, all designed exclusively for your restaurant.

• Compact, sleek kiosk options for any layout
• Powerful upsell and customization features
• Smooth all-in-one POS integration and real-time analytics
• 24/7 support
• Easy staff onboarding tools

See the difference OneHubPOS can make in your restaurant. Book a demo today and step into smarter service.

If you’re a VAR, MSP, or ISO working with restaurants or retail businesses in the U.S., chances are you’ve already hit this wall:

‍You want to offer your clients a point-of-sale system that makes their lives easier, but most options on the market either lock you into rigid payment processing, hide behind vague commissions, or force clients to rely on outdated tech.

It’s frustrating, especially when you’re doing all the hard work, and your margins are shrinking by the day.

But the right POS partnership can bring you more revenue, happier clients, and a steady stream of recurring income. All without the usual challenges and limitations. 

That’s where we come in.

Join the Next Generation of POS Partnerships (With Real Profit, Not Promises)

You don’t want to chase down commissions or apologize to clients about glitchy terminals and poor support. 

You want predictable income. Flexible partnerships. And tech that’s modern, reliable, and easy to sell.

That’s exactly what our restaurant POS and retail POS platforms were built for.

We created a full-suite Android POS solution with our partners in mind. It’s about delivering great tech to your clients as well as helping you grow too. You provide the relationships, drive, and on-the-ground expertise. We bring the platform, the support, and the transparent revenue structure.

Why Our POS System Works For You, Not Just Your Clients

Here’s how our system helps you stand out, sell more, and earn more, consistently.

1. Transparent Commissions = No Guesswork, Just Payouts

No one likes going through fine print or waiting for that “surprise” payment adjustment.

With us, what you see is what you get.

Here’s how our commission structure helps you grow:

• With straightforward, high margin commissions, whether you’re referring leads or handling the full sales cycle, you’ll always know what you’re taking home.
• Pay for only what you need. No forced bundles. No inflated pricing. Just a platform that scales with your business and your clients’ needs.
• Thanks to predictable monthly residuals, you can build a reliable revenue stream that grows with every install.
• With full visibility into every dollar earned, track commissions in real time via your partner dashboard. 
• No unexpected adjustments or clawbacks. Once you've earned your commission, it's guaranteed. 

Our model is designed for partners who want to earn more, without constantly second-guessing their payouts.

2. A Modern Android POS That Practically Sells Itself

Tech sells, but only when it works.

Our Android-based POS suite is built to handle the day-to-day chaos of retail and hospitality businesses, from quick-service restaurants and liquor stores to food trucks and convenience shops.

Here are the key features that make our platform a preferred choice:

• Thanks to intuitive self-ordering kiosks, clients love how easy it is to reduce lines and boost order accuracy.
• Inventory + employee management tools that organize and resolve back office chaos.
• With offline mode & real-time syncing, no more panicking when Wi-Fi acts up. Orders still go through. Data still updates.
• Loyalty programs, digital receipts, KDS, and more are features clients expect today, delivered without extra integrations or hidden fees.
• With software built to streamline both FOH and BOH operations, your clients get the tech support they need. 

3. Freedom to Choose Any Payment Processor

Most POS providers want to control your payment processing. They lock you in with “exclusive” deals that look good at first, until you realize you’ve lost flexibility, leverage, and long-term client trust.

BUT… we believe it’s your book of business. You should decide how to manage it. That’s why our POS platform is 100% processor-agnostic.

Here’s what that means for you:

• Keep your existing ISO relationships. No need to ditch trusted partners or renegotiate contracts.
• Clients can bring their preferred gateway. Less friction. Fewer objections. 
• Get faster growth. When you remove payment restrictions, more doors open.

4. Exclusive Partner Discounts That Boost Your Margins

You deserve better margins. Not just a small portion of the deal. Not merely a token gesture or a thank-you email. Real, ongoing benefits that actually move the needle for your business.

We’ve built our partner discount system to help you stay competitive, offer more value, and walk away with more in your pocket after every sale.

Here’s what’s OneHubPOS offers:

• With attractive partner pricing tiers, the more you sell, the more you save. Simple, performance-based pricing rewards your growth.
• Special discounts on bundles (POS + Kiosk + KDS) let you bundle up, sell more, and give your clients a smooth setup without the pressure of unnecessary upsells.
• White-label kits enhance your brand’s professional presence and simplify onboarding for clients.
• With up to 20% off SaaS subscriptions, you offer more value for your clients and get yourself more margin. 

Why Partners Are Making the Switch

While all of this may sound promising in theory, the real measure lies in practice. The truth is our partners aren’t merely staying afloat in today’s competitive market; they’re truly performing exceptionally well.

Here’s why:

• We provide L1 support with 1-hour SLAs. Your time is valuable. You shouldn’t be stuck handling basic support tickets. Our in-house support team tackles the initial tier fast.
• You’ll always have a go-to, dedicated account manager who knows your business.
• With fast, U.S.-based onboarding + support, get your clients set up without long delays, time zone confusion, or language barriers.
• No heavy certification process. You don’t need to jump through a hundred hoops to get started. We trust your experience and want to get you earning ASAP.
• From email templates and sell sheets to demo decks and talking points, we provide you with sales enablement kits to close deals confidently.
• We respect the work you’ve put in. If you’re building a book of business in a specific area, we’ll work with you to protect it with territory protection options.
• No more wondering where your commissions are or how many installs you’ve hit this month. It’s all in one clean, real-time dashboard you can check anytime.

Basically, we don’t just hand you a product and step away. We support you, stand by you, and help you grow every step of the way.

Don’t Just Resell Tech—Build a Revenue Engine

Let’s zoom out for a second. 

What’s your goal?

If your goal is simply to sell a few POS systems occasionally, that’s perfectly fine. But if you're like most growth-minded ISOs, VARs, and MSPs, you’re looking for something bigger.

You want residual income. You want a diversified service offering. You want to be an essential part of your client’s business, not just a vendor.

That’s the kind of opportunity we’re offering here.

When you partner with us, you’re not just reselling tech. You’re creating a sustainable stream of recurring revenue that scales with every install and deepens your value to clients over time.

The best part is our team is here to help you plan, pitch, close, and support each deal. You focus on building strong client relationships. We’ll handle the technology, support, and infrastructure behind the scenes..

Let’s Grow Together

We’re building a community of partners who want more: more value, more growth, and more than just a vendor badge or one-time commission.

Tired of murky splits and providers who put their margins first? Ready for a partner that treats your business like their own?

Let’s talk.

Fill out our [Partner Inquiry Form] or book a 15-min call with our Channel Manager, Joshua. 

We’ll show you how our transparent payouts, flexible payment options, and growth-focused tools help you scale faster without compromising your client relationships.

Let’s build your revenue engine together.

Your customers might discover you on Instagram, check your website for prices, visit your store to try things out, and expect a seamless payment experience.

If your online and in-store setups aren’t in sync, it’s frustrating for customers and a missed opportunity for you.

Shoppers expect convenience and consistency, whether they’re online, in-store, or bouncing between both. If your systems aren’t in sync, you’re leaving sales and loyalty on the table. 

This guide explains omnichannel retail strategy, its importance, and key tools and strategies to connect your channels.

What Is Omnichannel Retail?

An omnichannel retail strategy creates a unified, consistent shopping experience across your website, mobile app, physical store, social media, and more.

Now, does it sound to you like multichannel retail? However, it differs significantly. Multichannel simply means you’re present on multiple platforms, like having a store and an Instagram shop. But if those channels don’t talk to each other, it’s a disjointed experience.

Omnichannel = Connected

Multichannel = Scattered

The goal is simple: shopping with you should feel effortless, familiar, and personalized, no matter where or how it happens.

Why Connecting In-Store and Online Sales Matters

Customers shopping across multiple channels spend 250% more and have a 13% higher average order value than those who use a single channel.

So, that’s a lot of potential revenue left on the table if your channels aren’t integrated.

Plus, consumer behavior has shifted in the following ways:

• Showrooming: Browsing in-store but buying online later
• Webrooming: Researching online, then buying in-store
• Click-and-collect: Shopping online, picking up at the store

These changes bring significant benefits for retailers who master omnichannel strategies:

• Increased customer loyalty: Because they remember how smooth it felt to shop with you.
• Reduced cart abandonment: When you send a reminder or offer in-store pickup, that sale doesn’t slip away.
• Higher operational efficiency: No more juggling separate systems for online and offline orders.
• More upselling and cross-selling opportunities: Personalization is easier when you know your customer well, across platforms.

Building Blocks of a Unified Omnichannel Retail Strategy

Let’s get into how to make this work. Here's what needs to come together behind the scenes:

Unified Inventory Management

Ever had to say, “Sorry, we’re out of stock” to a customer… only to realize it was available online or in another store?

With real-time inventory tracking across locations, that problem disappears. You always know:

• What’s available
• Where it’s located
• When to restock

For instance, Walmart’s ‘endless aisle’ concept lets in-store customers order out-of-stock items via tablets for fast delivery.

Integrated Payment Systems

Customers expect the same checkout experience whether they’re tapping their phone in-store or paying through your website.

Integrated payment systems ensure:

• One unified view of all sales
• Easier accounting and fewer errors
• Smoother financial reconciliation across locations.

Plus, they let you support popular options like contactless, mobile wallets, BNPL, and more.

Centralized Customer Data (CRM/CDP)

When you have a single view of the customer: browsed, what they bought, what they love, you can create experiences that feel tailor-made. Moreover, 80% of customers are more likely to buy from brands that offer personalized experiences.

Take Sephora, for example. Whether someone shops on the app, website, or in-store, their Beauty Insider data is synced. They get smart product recommendations, loyalty rewards, and offers that feel just right.

Creating Seamless Customer Experiences

Once the tech foundations are in place, how do you actually make the shopping experience feel perfectly smooth and delightful for your customers? Let’s break it down.

Consistent Branding and Messaging

Imagine a customer sees a sleek, modern Instagram ad and then walks into a store with a completely different vibe. Confusing, right?

Consistency builds trust. 

Whether interacting online, via SMS, or in-store, every element—from the color palette to the language—should be unmistakably ‘you.’

This includes:

• Visual branding (logos, colors, and layout)
• Tone of voice (are you quirky, friendly, and sophisticated?)
• Promotions (make sure offers are the same online and in-store)

Unified campaigns that run across platforms also perform better. Customers don’t get mixed messages, and your marketing feels smarter.

Flexible Fulfillment Options

Customers want flexibility. Sometimes they want it now. Sometimes they want to browse online and pick up when it’s convenient. Other times, they want to return an online order without going through shipping hassles.

The more options you offer, the easier it becomes for them to choose you over a competitor.

Popular fulfillment features include:

• BOPIS (Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store): Saves on shipping, gets customers in-store.
• BORIS (Buy Online, Return In-Store): Simplifies returns, builds trust.
• Same-day and curbside pickup: Gained popularity during the pandemic and still going strong for busy shoppers.

All of these rely on synced inventory and order systems.

Personalized Engagement Across Channels

This is where omnichannel retail strategy really works great. When your systems work together, your marketing ideas get smarter, and your customer engagement goes next level.

Let’s say someone added a pack of organic snacks to their cart but didn’t check out.  

You could:

• Send an email or SMS reminder.
• Show a Facebook retargeting ad.
• Offer a discount code next time they check out in-store.

Plus, some modern POS systems can even suggest personalized product recommendations at checkout based on a customer’s past purchases, just like an online algorithm would.

Layer on omnichannel loyalty programs, and now you're rewarding customers whether they shop online, in-store, or both, keeping them in your ecosystem longer.

Tools & Tech That Power Omnichannel Retail Strategy

Let’s explore what kind of software and platforms actually make your omnichannel strategy work.

CRM/CDP Tools

Customer data platforms (CDPs) and customer relationship management (CRM) tools help you keep track of who’s buying what, where, and how often.

Cloud-Based Inventory & Order Management

You need a cloud-based system that updates stock in real-time, flags low inventory, and syncs orders across all channels. Bonus if it includes features like barcode scanning, supplier management, and purchase order tracking!

POS Systems with Omnichannel Support

Gone are the days of clunky, isolated POS systems. Today’s retail POS should:

• Sync with your online store
• Connect to your inventory
• Let you offer discounts, loyalty rewards, and mobile checkout options
• Store customer profiles for personalized checkout

This is where OneHubPOS works great.

• It combines advanced POS features, inventory management, and customer insights, all under one roof. 
• It’s cloud-based, so you get real-time visibility from anywhere.
• It supports integrations with your website, payment gateways, and CRMs.

If you want to execute your omnichannel retail strategy, OneHubPOS is built just for retail stores like yours.

Unified E-Commerce Platforms

Platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce are designed to integrate with your in-store systems, enhancing rather than competing.

When connected to a powerful POS system like OneHubPOS, your orders, stock levels, and promotion ideas stay in sync automatically.

API Integrations and Automation

With the right APIs, your tools can talk to each other:

• POS talks to your email software
• Inventory alerts trigger reorders automatically
• CRM updates when a customer completes an in-store return

Even if you’re not tech-savvy, the right platform makes this all easy. What's best is that most of it runs on autopilot once set up.

Challenges Retailers Face and How to Overcome Them

Implementing an omnichannel retail strategy isn’t always smooth sailing. But knowing the common pitfalls helps you plan smarter.

1. Data Silos Between Teams

If your online and in-store teams don’t share data, you’ll miss valuable insights and sales.  

Solution: Choose platforms that integrate data and offer shared dashboards.

2. Staff Training for New Tech

New tools can overwhelm store staff if they’re not trained properly about must-knows and hacks to operate the POS system efficiently.  

Solution: Go for intuitive systems and offer hands-on training + cheat sheets.

3. Managing Returns & Reverse Logistics

Returns and refunds can be messy when customers switch channels.  

Solution: Standardize return policies and use systems that log returns across platforms.

4. Inventory Syncing Issues

This one’s a deal-breaker. If stock isn’t syncing, customers lose trust.  

Solution: Invest in a real-time, unified inventory management system with POS reports.

Start Small, Think Unified With OneHubPOS

You don’t have to overhaul your entire business in one go.

Start with a few simple steps:

• Audit your current systems — Where are the gaps?
• Pick one area to integrate — maybe inventory or payments
• Choose tools that talk to each other — no more data silos
• Get your team onboard — omnichannel is a team sport

The big takeaway: Omnichannel isn’t about being everywhere. You just have to be seamless everywhere.

Choose OneHubPOS, built for today’s retail, online, offline, and everything in between. You get:

• Unified inventory management  
• Integrated payments  
• Smart customer insights  
• Easy integrations with your online store

Book a demo today and see how OneHubPOS makes omnichannel easy, affordable, and doable — no matter the size of your store.