It’s a universal truth shared by operators: costs are infringing on profits, more now than ever. From food to labor, it seems like everything is more expensive. That’s where Qu comes in with its kiosks, which have the potential to make operations more profitable. And now it has new features to squeeze the orange even more.
According to Qu’s 2025 State of Digital report, 62 percent of restaurant brands now use or plan to adopt kiosk technology — up from 43 percent a year ago — including 80 percent of QSRs and more than half of fast casual brands.
Qu’s latest wave of kiosk enhancements that improve adoption, staff efficiency, and profitability, without major technology overhauls or costly new hardware.
For brands using Qu’s Flex POS terminals, kiosk mode can be activated without buying additional equipment. This allows restaurants to expand kiosk use gradually, match adoption to demand, and minimize upfront spending.
“We’ve seen strong performance at the kiosk, so the next step is implementing intelligent upsell prompts,” said Steve Smyth, director of restaurant technology at Taco John’s, in a statement. “It’s about guiding guests toward items they’ll enjoy, in a way that feels natural and helpful.”
Qu’s latest upgrades make kiosks easier to navigate, creating opportunities for guests to engage easier with the brand and explore more of the menu:
- Multi-select cross-sells suggest relevant add-ons in a way that feels helpful rather than pushy.
- Loyalty prompts encourage account log-ins or signups before ordering, linking transactions to rewards, and prompting premium add-ons that increase check size.
- Multi-brand loyalty support lets guests choose which brand to earn rewards with at multi-brand locations—creating more perceived value, repeat visits, and higher spend over time.
Taco John’s kiosk orders average 19 percent higher than counter service. And WOWorks reports kiosk tickets averaging $3 more than in-person orders.
- To keep teams efficient, Qu has introduced tools that help restaurants adapt in real time:
Qu Flex, a hybrid POS/Kiosk that switches between cashier- and guest-facing modes in seconds. - Cashier-facing displays enabling team members to assist with kiosk orders without interrupting service.
- Instant updates to menu, pricing, 86s, loyalty, and cross-sell settings across all channels, without middleware or duplicate entry.
“These features allow operators to assign staff where they’re needed most — whether on the make line, greeting guests, or managing the drive-thru,” said Brian Crum, VP of product at Qu, in a statement. “By reducing time spent on repetitive screen tasks, employees can focus on the faster-paced, hands-on parts of the job that require coordination, attention, and a human touch. This flexibility also opens opportunities to hire from a broader talent pool, accommodating employees with different comfort levels for guest interaction.”
