A self-service kiosk is a touchscreen terminal where customers place and pay for their own order without a staff member operating the till. It is common in quick-service restaurants, cafés, cinemas and increasingly in retail.
The kiosk shows the menu or product range, guides the customer through choices, takes payment on an integrated terminal and sends the order to the kitchen or the POS. Because it is connected to the main system, prices, availability and stock stay consistent with the counter.
Venues use kiosks to move customers through quickly at peak times and to lift order values, since the screen can suggest extras consistently. Staff are released from order-taking to prepare food or help customers.
Plan for accessibility, clear screen design, reliable payment hardware and a way to get help. Kiosks work best when the menu is well organised and the integration with the kitchen display system is solid.