Control terminals: 7 essential features

Ordering terminals have become a must in restaurants and retail outlets. Time-saving, fluid, more personalized... they meet the new expectations of consumers who want to order quickly, easily and without friction. But not all kiosks are created equal! To win over your customers and boost your sales, certain features on order terminals are essential. Ergonomics, simplified payment, personalization... Here are the 7 must-haves to offer your customers the best possible experience.

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1. An intuitive user interface

Ergonomics and accessibility

Above all, customers are looking for a fast, simple experience when using a kiosk. They expect the interface to be ergonomic, fluid and pleasant to use. Nobody wants to waste time validating their order! The goal? Less than 3 clicks to finalize an order.

• An optimized ordering tunnel avoids unnecessary steps and speeds up the process.
• Key elements such as the "Checkout" button or validation must be visible and intuitive.

A good interface is also a question of design and responsiveness. A clear display, legible font size and well-placed buttons are essential to avoid customer frustration.

Intuitive navigation for all profiles

An efficient kiosk is aimed at all customers, whether they are used to digital or not.

• Senior citizens and the uninitiated should be able to navigate without difficulty. A simplified mode or visual explanations can be a real plus.‍
• Regular customers appreciate a personalized interface with their loyalty account.

A well-designed terminal means fast, stress-free ordering for everyone.

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2. Customize controls

Did you know that customizing orders can increase the average shopping basket by 25% to 40%? By offering customers the possibility of adding or modifying ingredients, you give them more freedom while maximizing your sales.

According to one study, 67% of consumers want more personalized interactions and real-time recommendations when they shop, particularly millennials, 70% of whom express this expectation (Source: ecommercemag.fr). Thanks to kiosks, you can analyze customer habits and propose personalized offers:

• Does a customer always go for coffee? Offer them a discount on their drink after X number of purchases.
• Does he love a particular dessert? Include it in his suggestions.

A well-designed kiosk knows how to anticipate customers' desires and keep them coming back for more.

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3. Integration of loyalty programs

By 2030, the factors driving customer loyalty will be changing. While quality and price are essential today, consumers believe that mobile apps, fast Internet access and intelligent home automation systems will become key elements in strengthening their loyalty (Source: France Num). Goodbye cardboard loyalty cards that end up at the bottom of a wallet!

With an order terminal, the loyalty program is directly integrated into the customer journey. The result: no more physical cards to manage, automatic tracking of points and rewards, and a direct connection with the CRM for personalized offers. Customers order from the kiosk, collect points and discover their benefits in real time. It's intelligent loyalty, effortless for both you and your customers. Simple and effective! 

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4. Variety of payment options

The terminal must be able to accept all payment methods. The more payment options you offer, the lower the risk of order abandonment.

The integration of solutions such as Apple Pay and Google Pay enables an order to be finalized in a single gesture, considerably reducing the abandonment rate. Customers don't have to take out their wallets: a simple scan and it's done.

👉 To find out more: Fast-food ordering station: comparison of the best models

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5. Display detailed product information

According to one study, 77% of consumers want more details about products to inform their purchasing decisions (Source: ecommercemag.fr). Indeed, customers are increasingly demanding about what they consume. They want to know what they're eating, where it comes from and what's in it. That's why a kiosk needs to display :

• The ingredients of each product.
• Possible allergens.
• Nutritional information.

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6. Intelligent suggestions for complementary products

The subtle art of upsell and cross-sell

Customers appreciate intelligent, personalized recommendations that make their lives easier or help them discover interesting offers.

Some examples that work:

• "Upgrade to the XL menu for only €1 more!
• "Add cheese for €0.50 more."
• "You've chosen a coffee? Why not accompany it with a 20%-off muffin?"

Relevant, non-intrusive recommendations

The secret is discretion and relevance. Suggestions must :

• Be adapted to customer preferences (thanks to order history).
• Do not slow down the ordering process.
• Be easy to decline with a simple click.

With the right balance, upselling is not perceived as a hard sell, but as an additional service.

👉 To find out more: Digitization as a secret weapon in 2025

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7. Intelligent real-time order management

When customers place an order, they expect one simple thing: their request to be processed quickly and without error. This is where intelligent order management comes in. Thanks to the direct connection between the kiosk, the kitchen (via kitchen production screens) and the cashier, each order is transmitted instantaneously, with no risk of transcription errors.

For customers, this means faster preparation, less waiting and the certainty that their order will be exactly what they ordered. No confusion, no forgetting: just a smooth, efficient experience, from click to delivery!

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Would you like to optimize your customers' experience with high-performance order terminals? Make an appointment with our experts to discover solutions tailored to your needs.