As AI-powered drive-thru lanes and automated back of house operations continue to dominate conversations about hot restaurant technologies, operators should remember to take care of the basics too. This month, GoTab and Ansa both announced new digital payment solutions that give operators options for purchasing hardware-free iOS payment capabilities and digital wallets that allow customers to just tap and go without needing to download an app, respectively.
While this might seem like the standard checkout experience these days, the restaurant industry is known for being behind the times with technology adaption, especially compared with their peers in the retail and hotel industries. So, it makes sense that foodservice tech vendors are upgrading and evolving digital payment solutions to improve restaurant guest experiences. Up-to-date digital payment solutions are becoming table stakes for restaurants these days, while tech like voice AI is still a “nice to have.” After all, you have to learn to walk before you can run.
Related: Nation’s Restaurant News teams with 858 Partners for technology showcase at annual event
In other tech news this month, Bite launched a hidden menu feature for kiosks, Uber is partnering with another robot delivery company, and more.
Tech Tracker rounds up what’s happening in the technology sector of the restaurant industry, including news from restaurants, vendors, digital platforms, and third-party delivery companies. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know and why:
Related: Tech Tracker: A preview of what’s to come at the FSTEC 2024 Conference
Ansa launches tap-to-pay digital wallet technology
White label digital wallet company Ansa announced this month the launch of Ansa Anywhere: a branded digital wallet payment solution that lets customers just tap and go without the need for downloading a separate app. The technology is integrated with Apple Pay and Google Pay and does not require operators to purchase additional hardware or navigate complex integrations.
Instead, this is what Ansa is calling a “closed loop” payment system, which simplifies the process of adding new payment options to the point of sales. Ansa Anywhere also offers stored value wallets, which lets customers pay for their food and drinks with prepaid balances and can also integrate a brand’s digital rewards program. Sophia Goldberg, CEO and cofounder of Ansa, said that while this technology is similar to other tap-to-pay tech out there, it’s meant to replace the extra step of QR codes or apps, which have become common in the foodservice industry these days.
“We wanted to figure out how to bring something to market that meets consumers where they are in terms of an easy experience, that doesn’t take months of integrations to go live,” Goldberg said. “Over half of Americans are now used to contactless payments, but what we previously saw was QR codes or codes that need to get typed in. So, we’re really proud to bring this first in the market solution that's as easy as adding your loyalty balance to Google or Apple… it just opens up an entire world of benefits that brands and consumers can use from a digital wallet.”
The Ansa Anywhere product is white label, so that companies can easily add their own company branding to the wallet. For example, Goldberg said, Ansa partner Compass Coffee, just added a squirrel and jack-o-lantern to their digital card to make it look more seasonal.
“You want customers to want to have this in their phone,” she said.
GoTab announces new iOS payment features
POS technology company GoTab announced the launch of new iOS payment features, allowing operators to process payments on their existing Apple, Android, or Windows devices without having to purchase new hardware, except for a card reader. The system is also compatible with other receipt printers, tablets, and KDS systems.
While card readers attached to tablets have been around for a while now, GoTab says that this new technology stands out because soon, card readers won’t even be needed. Additionally, this technology is focused on the entire POS, instead of just payment processing.
“Our solution allows operators to transform any device—be it a tablet into a stationary POS or self-service kiosk, or a phone into a handheld POS,” a representative with GoTab told Nation’s Restaurant News. “This flexibility enables operators to upgrade their entire POS system and scale their operations using the devices they already own. Unlike many of our competitors, who rely on proprietary hardware or lack cloud-based solutions, our software provides a powerful, customizable system that seamlessly integrates with existing tech stacks.”
Bite creates a hidden menu feature for kiosks with Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal’s quick-service chain, Big Chicken, has partnered with kiosk software company, Bite, to create a secret menu for customers to discover when they’re using the kiosk in-stores.
The O’Neal Family Secret Menu — which can be accessed via an animated button on the lefthand corner of the kiosk screen — contains some unique, exclusive items like Lucille's Sunday Dinner Combo (named after Shaq’s mother) and the Chicken Cordon Bleu Combo (containing some of Shaq’s favorite flavors).
Although this was created exclusively in partnership with Big Chicken, Bite will be offering similar customizations to other operator partners.
“We're leading the charge on making kiosk ordering not just transactional, but a fun, integrated part of a brand's experience,” Bite CEO Brandon Barton told NRN. “Our goal is to continually evolve our kiosk experience to meet the unique needs of each brand we work with.”
Secret menus are nothing new to the restaurant industry, but making them a part of the kiosk experience is:
“By making it kiosk-exclusive, it encourages adoption of this ordering method,” Barton said. “It also provides opportunities for upselling and increasing average check size, allows for low-risk testing of new menu concepts, and enhances the overall dining experience.”
Uber announces a new robot partnership
While Uber has previously worked with robotics companies like Serve Robotics and Nuro, the third-party delivery company is expanding its automation capabilities with Coco’s sidewalk robots, which hit the streets of Los Angeles last month.
Coco is known for its sustainable mission and fleet of 1,000 emissions-free robots.
"We're excited to welcome Coco's sidewalk robots on Uber Eats to enhance the delivery experience for both our merchants and customers," Noah Zych, global head of autonomous mobility & delivery at Uber said in a statement. "As we continue to popularize robot delivery in Los Angeles, our partnership with Coco drives us another step towards a more sustainable and autonomous future for delivery."
TouchBistro launches a labor management solution
Restaurant management platform TouchBistro announced new inventory and labor management solutions, following the acquisition of restaurant management software, Peachworks.
The inventory management tool is an ingredient tracker and recipe management platform that can help automate the process for keeping track of all items in back of the house. The labor management software, meanwhile, helps to simplify employee scheduling and team communications via one centralized platform. While similar solutions exist in the industry, TouchBistro said that their product is unique because it anticipates needs of the back of the house.
“Existing solutions in the market focus on showing operators what they need right now,” a representative for TouchBistro said. “TouchBistro’s new inventory management and labor management products take it a step further and uses that data to be able to forecast for the future — helping operators to better plan ahead for slumps or influxes in their business. This can prevent situations like over-ordering or under-staffing, helping restaurants save costs.”