Dive Brief:
- Bojangles has partnered with Grubbrr to add self-ordering kiosks across its system of over 800 restaurants, the company said in a press release emailed to Restaurant Dive.
- During a pilot program, the kiosks had a more than 50% customer adoption rate at some locations and helped increase throughput and operational efficiency.
- This is just the latest high-tech ordering solution the chain has added. Earlier this year, Bojangles began implementing Hi Auto’s drive-thru voice artificial intelligence, dubbed “Bo-Linda,” at hundreds of its locations following a pilot at about 50 locations.
Dive Insight:
Several chains are ramping up installations of kiosks since they can help free up labor to work on improving the hospitality experience or back-of-house tasks.
Kiosks became Shake Shack’s largest and most profitable ordering channel earlier this year. Portillo’s installed kiosks at all of its restaurants after an August pilot revealed high guest adoption and low upfront costs, while El Pollo Loco expects to complete its rollout of kiosks by early next year.
For Bojangles, the self-order kiosks are expected to reduce wait times, improve order accuracy and increase average check size. The user-friendly interface allows consumers to customize their orders, according to the press release.
The results of its kiosk test “exceeded our expectations,” Richard Del Valle, CIO and chief of staff at Bojangles, said in a statement. He said the kiosks will be installed in more of its locations in the coming months, but did not disclose a timeline or restaurant count.
In addition to its technology adoptions, Bojangles is focused on rapid expansion and is on its way to surpassing 1,000 units thanks to its current development plan. The company continues to sign large deals with franchises, including 30 units in Los Angeles County in California and 20 units in the Phoenix area.
