Self-Ordering Kiosks: Why They Work for More Than Just QSRs

When you hear self-ordering kiosks, your mind probably goes straight to McDonald’s. That’s fair. They’ve popularized it.

But here’s the truth: cafés, bakeries, grocery stores, and even pharmacies are now using the Kiosk Ordering Software and they’re thriving because of it.

In fact, 84 percent of U.S. consumers prefer self-service kiosks, and 66 percent would rather use them than wait in line at staffed counters. That’s not just a QSR trend. That’s a behavioral shift in how people want to order, pay, and move on. (source)

These kiosks are no longer limited to fast food giants. Businesses of all sizes and types are using them to streamline orders, reduce staffing pressure, and serve customers faster.

So in this blog, you’ll learn why self-ordering kiosks aren’t just for quick-service restaurants anymore.

You’ll see how businesses like bakeries, small grocery stores, and local pharmacies are using kiosks to increase efficiency, improve customer experience, and boost profits.

Let’s start by understanding what actually makes these kiosks so effective across industries.

What Makes Self-Ordering Kiosks So Effective?

Self-ordering kiosks do not just offer a modern appearance. They solve real problems that almost every café, bakery, pharmacy, grocery, and restaurant faces—long lines, order errors, staffing issues, and uneven service.

Speed, Accuracy, and Convenience

When a customer enters your business, they expect fast, accurate service without repeating their order. Traditional checkouts often take two to three minutes per customer.

But AI-powered kiosks like Mashgin deliver a median transaction time of just 18.7 seconds, as proven in a pilot across ten convenience stores. (Source)

That speed alone keeps lines moving and frees your staff to engage in more valuable tasks. A kiosk ordering system for restaurants does the heavy lifting while your team focuses on food prep and customer experience.

Accuracy improves too. When customers input their own orders, confusion over add‑ons or customizations disappears. This reduces mistakes and increases satisfaction.

Higher Order Value Without the Pressure

Kiosks do more than streamline operations. They drive revenue. Shake Shack reports customers spend about 10 percent more when they use kiosks. (Source)

That uplift comes from subtle visual prompts that offer upsells, combos, and extras. Without the pressure from staff, customers feel free to explore and add items like sides or toppings. That is the power of kiosk ordering software in action.

So kiosks deliver faster service, better accuracy, and higher average sales. That adds up to stronger margins and a better customer experience.

Next, let’s see how these benefits play out in real-world settings like cafés, bakeries, and delis. These businesses are not quick service giants, but they are using kiosks to gain the same results.

Cafés, Bakeries, and Delis Are Seeing the Real Gains

So far, we have seen how self-ordering kiosks improve speed, accuracy, and revenue. But how does that translate to smaller businesses like cafés, bakeries, or delis? The answer is simple.

These businesses face the same challenges as larger restaurants, and kiosks are solving them just as effectively.

Peak-Hour Chaos Is Real

Anyone running a small café or bakery knows what mornings look like. A line builds up, staff juggle between taking orders and preparing drinks, and the risk of order mistakes rises with every passing minute. Customers get impatient. Staff get overwhelmed. Orders get missed.

This is exactly where a kiosk ordering system for restaurants proves valuable. It handles the front-end interaction, so your team can focus on what they do best—serving quality food and coffee.

When customers place their own orders, it eliminates back-and-forth questions and cuts down service time.

Real-World Use Case: A Local Bakery’s Win

Let us take a real-world example. A local bakery in a busy commercial area struggled with a 15-minute queue every morning at 8 am. The staff could not keep up. Orders piled up.

New customers walked away after seeing the line.

They installed two self-ordering kiosks near the entrance and introduced a simple online ordering solution through their branded app.

Within weeks, customer satisfaction went up by 40 percent. Wait times dropped. Repeat customers increased. The change felt immediate and visible.

A well-executed kiosk ordering software setup not only improved their efficiency but also gave customers more control over their experience.

And this shift is not an isolated case. The global retail kiosks market is projected to reach 12 billion dollars by 2033, showing how rapidly this technology is expanding across industries. Source – MarketResearch.com

Cafés, bakeries, and delis may not serve hundreds of customers every hour, but the ones they serve expect speed and clarity. A kiosk meets that expectation consistently.

Next, let us look at how grocery stores and supermarkets are also embracing kiosks—not just to reduce lines, but to transform their overall checkout experience.

Grocery Stores and Supermarkets Are Catching On

After cafés and bakeries, grocery stores and supermarkets are also realizing the value of self-ordering kiosks.

While these businesses may operate at a different scale, they face a similar problem—serving many customers quickly without compromising on service.

Why Staffed Checkout Is Not Scalable?

In most grocery stores, the checkout counter becomes the bottleneck. Long queues form during peak hours.

Staff members struggle to maintain speed and accuracy, especially when juggling complex tasks like weighing produce or handling coupons.

More staff might seem like the solution, but that is not always practical. Rising labor costs and unpredictable shifts make it hard to scale teams on demand.

This is where a kiosk ordering system for grocery stores steps in.

With kiosks in place, your staff can shift focus. Instead of being stuck behind the register, they can assist customers on the floor, keep shelves organized, or manage inventory.

The checkout process becomes faster, more consistent, and far less stressful for both customers and employees.

Kiosks Improve Efficiency and Loyalty

Customers value speed, but they also value consistency. A kiosk ordering system for supermarkets ensures both. It allows shoppers to complete their purchase with ease, scan loyalty cards, apply offers, and even reorder frequent items in seconds.

These systems often integrate with backend loyalty programs and POS platforms, making them a complete in-store solution. For returning customers, the entire process feels effortless.

And this trend is not slowing down. According to Market Research Future, the self-ordering kiosk market is projected to grow at 21.3 percent compound annual growth rate through 2032. Source – Market Research Future

While most people associate a self ordering kiosk for QSRs with fast food chains, the truth is grocery retailers are using the same tech to streamline checkout and improve customer satisfaction.

Next, let us explore how pharmacies are also joining this shift, using kiosks to serve repeat customers and manage sensitive transactions with greater ease.

Pharmacies Are Using Kiosks to Serve Smarter

So far, we’ve seen how cafés, bakeries, and grocery stores are embracing kiosk systems to improve customer experience and speed. But they are not the only ones. Pharmacies are quietly adopting the same technology—and it is working.

Making Refill Pickups Easier and Faster

In most pharmacies, staff spend a lot of time managing refill requests and explaining routine products. That process can slow things down, especially during peak hours when every minute matters.

With a kiosk ordering system for pharmacies, customers can walk in, select their refill, and confirm the pickup without waiting in line.

They do not need to repeat basic information or stand in front of a counter while others wait. This improves service speed and reduces congestion in small spaces.

It also saves time for your pharmacists. Instead of handling routine orders, they can focus on more complex or sensitive cases that truly require their expertise.

Improved Privacy and Fewer Errors

Pharmacies also deal with products that people prefer to purchase discreetly. A self-serve flow offers that privacy.

Whether it is over-the-counter medication or personal care items, customers feel more comfortable placing the order themselves.

This added comfort leads to fewer abandoned purchases and fewer miscommunications. The kiosk ordering software ensures that customers get exactly what they selected—without the awkwardness or error that can come from verbal misunderstandings.

These benefits are already gaining traction. In fact, the pharmacy kiosk market in the United States is projected to reach over one billion dollars by 2033, showing growing demand for convenience and automation in the healthcare retail sector.

Pharmacies may not operate like restaurants or supermarkets, but the customer expectations remain the same—speed, accuracy, and control. A kiosk helps you deliver all three.

Now that we’ve covered how kiosks are changing different industries, let’s break down the financial side—why this investment makes real business sense, even for small operators.

The Business Case — Why It Makes Sense Financially?

By now, you’ve seen how kiosks improve speed, accuracy, and customer experience. But what about the financial side?

The good news is that the numbers make sense—and the return is quicker than most business owners expect.

Reduced Labor Costs Without Compromising Service

Running a business with limited staff is tough. Hiring more employees means higher monthly costs, more training, and scheduling challenges.

One well-placed kiosk can easily match the efficiency of two front-line employees, especially during peak hours.

That is where kiosk ordering software delivers direct savings. It handles tasks like taking orders, processing payments, and managing custom requests—all without needing constant supervision.

For small cafés or neighborhood grocery stores, that can reduce labor dependency while keeping service quality high.

Faster ROI and Flexible Investment

Many businesses that install kiosks see returns within the first six months. The increase in order volume, reduced staff workload, and improved customer retention all add up quickly.

Modern providers offer modular and white-label options, meaning you can choose exactly what you need.

Whether it is a single-unit setup for your bakery or a fully branded online ordering solution with mobile support, the flexibility makes it easier to start small and scale smart.

So whether you run a self ordering kiosk for QSRs or a standalone store, this investment has real upside—operationally and financially.

Now let’s bring it all together and see if this solution is right for your business today.

Is It Right for Your Business? (Hint: Probably Yes)

At this point, you might be wondering if a kiosk is a smart fit for your business. The answer is likely yes—especially if you serve walk-in customers and rely on quick, accurate service.

Who Should Consider Kiosks?

If you run a café, bakery, pharmacy, deli, or grocery store, a kiosk can simplify your daily operations.

Even if you manage a single outlet, the impact can be significant. Larger chains benefit from efficiency at scale, but small stores benefit from speed, consistency, and customer satisfaction.

Whether you are exploring a kiosk ordering system for restaurants or looking to modernize your checkout with a kiosk ordering system for grocery stores, the same rule applies: customers value control and convenience.

Ask Yourself These Questions

• Do I face long queues or slow order handling?
• Are staffing challenges affecting service quality?
• Would my team perform better if freed from order-taking?

If the answer is yes to any of these, then adding a kiosk might be one of the most practical steps you can take this year.

Let us now wrap up with a simple truth—kiosks are no longer optional. They are becoming essential.

Final Thoughts

You do not need to be a global brand to benefit from kiosks.

Whether you run a café, grocery store, or pharmacy, a well-placed self ordering kiosk for QSRs or a tailored kiosk ordering system for restaurants can boost efficiency, improve accuracy, and increase customer satisfaction.

With a flexible kiosk ordering system for grocery stores and a customizable kiosk ordering software, the investment pays off quickly.

Customers want faster, easier ordering. With the right tools, you can deliver exactly that—without overloading your staff or cutting into margins.