mcdo kiosk, the alternatives for your restaurant in 2023

The mcdo kiosk has become a benchmark for many restaurateurs. The brand has been equipping its restaurants with this technology for over 10 years. This has enabled them not only to increase their sales considerably, but also to gain market share over competitors such as Burger King and Five Guys.

Independent restaurateurs also see a real opportunity to develop their business, and decide to acquire ordering kiosks as well. With the price of an mcdo kiosk at a minimum of €15,000, many are turning to much cheaper, but equally effective alternatives.

How the mcdo terminal became a functional tool

mcdo kiosk, how does it work?

Ordering a meal at McDonald's couldn't be easier. All you need is a credit card, and you're ready to go. Customers discover a digital menu from which they can easily select the products they want. Thanks to the payment terminal, payment is made directly at the kiosk. A receipt is then printed with the order summary. This serves as proof of purchase, so that customers can collect their food directly from the counter.

The mcdo kiosk was introduced to meet customers' need for speed, particularly during meal times between 12:00 and 14:00 and 19:00 and 21:00. It's a win-win situation: customers are served quickly, and the chain reduces waiting times during rush hours.

Centralized order management

The mcdo order terminals are also a tool for centralizing all orders. Previously, an employee had to systematically give the order ticket to the kitchen to launch the preparation, but also retype each sale made during the day in his cash register system. Today, all that is a thing of the past.

Once the order has been taken at the kiosk, it arrives directly in the kitchen on preparation screens. It is also automatically entered into the company's POS system, which calculates sales to the second.

This enables McDonald' s not only to manage its orders more effectively, but also to monitor its inventory in real time. It also provides greater visibility of restaurant activity, enabling other processes to be improved to boost performance.

Innovation, a major challenge for Mcdonald's

The mcdo terminal at the heart of the strategy

With 1.8 million meals served every day, McDonald's has no room for error. The challenge for the group today is to gain in flexibility without losing sight of the efficiency standards of the number one fast-food company. For example, here are just a few of the areas where extensive research and development work has been carried out.

• Time-saving payment

It's probably a well-kept secret! When an order is placed on the mcdo kiosk, it is already sent to preparation when the customer presses "checkout", and not when payment is made. This saves around 20 seconds for each order, which in turn boosts production in the kitchen.

McDonald's is currently testing home delivery. When customers place their order from the app, order preparation is launched when the delivery driver arrives within three minutes of the restaurant.

• Location-based table service

Technology in fast food never ceases to amaze. Once the order has been taken from the mcdo kiosk, and the sandwiches are ready. The sandwiches are placed next to the counter. A screen indicates the assignments according to the orders placed for both VAE and Click and Collect. Another new feature is table service. Once the order has been paid for at the kiosk, the customer picks up an easel which, thanks to sensors scattered throughout it and the restaurant, enables the waiter to bring the order to the table more quickly.

Loyalty at the heart of the brand's objectives

Since its inception, McDonald's has been a pioneer in the development of customer services: the drive-thru, free Wi-Fi, order kiosks, Click & Collect, table service and home delivery were all devised by listening to and observing customers. Loyalty-building was also a major challenge, given the rise of brands such as Burger King and Five Guys.

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Mcdonald's is digitalizing its loyalty system. The famous loyalty card is now directly accessible on customers' smartphones. All they have to do is scan it at the order terminal, and earn loyalty points that enable them to reach different levels.

• Tier 1 - 15 points : Complimentary hot or cold drink or hamburger of your choice
• Level 2 - 30 Points : A free cheeseburger, a free McDonald's Croque or a free box of 4 Chicken McNuggets
• Level 3 - 45 Points : A sundae or a McFlurry or a pastry of your choice, subject to restaurant availability.
• Level 4 - 60 Points : A sandwich of your choice, subject to restaurant availability
• Level 5 - 75 Points : A Best Of menu of your choice, subject to restaurant availability (excluding Grands Premiums and Signature range).

Mcdo kiosk, equip your restaurant too

Inexpensive terminal alternatives

Many restaurateurs are embracing this innovative solution, which offers many advantages. Others are still reluctant because of the relatively high price. Indeed, very few restaurateurs can afford to pay more than 10,000 euros for a kiosk like the one at mcdo. However, there are many cheaper alternatives, the best known of which is the Tabesto solution.

It is one of the leaders in the ordering kiosk market. The company offers ordering kiosks for all types of restaurants.  

Tabesto's strength lies in its impeccable customer service, available 7 days a week whenever you need it, as well as its state-of-the-art order-taking solution.

Advantages of a control terminal

A number of chains and independent operators have chosen to make a gradual transition from traditional service to one based exclusively or partially on digital solutions. These solutions have proved their worth, particularly in the context of health restrictions, enabling many restaurants to improve order-taking, but also :

• Increase their customers' average shopping basket by 15 to 30%.
• Better management of restaurant inventory.
• Reduce tailing.
• Speed up table rotation, so you can serve more customers during service.
• Reduce customer waiting times with faster order-taking via the kiosk.
• Streamline service during rush periods by allowing orders to be taken both at the counter and at the order terminals.

Acquiring an mcdo kiosk is therefore accessible to any restaurateur wishing to rapidly develop their business and sales. The kiosk is becoming increasingly popular, and is gradually becoming an indispensable tool.

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