DALLAS — TableTop Media LLC announced the national availability of Ziosk, the company's next-generation interactive tabletop device, according to a news release. Increased labor and food costs, lower check averages, reduced traffic and expensive paper promotions with low success rates are starving the restaurant industry economically, according to some. Ziosk delivers a dynamic, pay-on-demand experience with a menu of financially benefiting capabilities. In addition to Ziosk's core features (split check, touch tip, email or print receipt capabilities, real-time surveys, movie trailers and ticket purchase), the new product offers increased battery life, order entry, sound, dynamic content scheduling and a 3D graphics capable interface. The technology was tested at the Cozymel's Mexican Grill chain in Texas and immediately demonstrated the consumer fascination with media-rich, touchscreen technology and convenience at the table. Leveraging the "pay on-demand" and digital promotional capabilities, Cozymel's has increased the average check at lunch by seven percent and 14 percent at dinner. Following the successful six-month pilot with more than 20,000 successful check outs, Cozymel's will begin deploying Ziosk to its other restaurant locations before the holiday season. By shaving, on average, 10 minutes off the check presenting, processing and closing out process, a casual restaurant like Cozymel's is also able to increase its lunch and dinner capacity. Additionally, the "pay on-demand" feature has armed servers with the ability to field more tables, reducing labor costs by 16 percent. Those same servers are experiencing a 15 percent lift in tips per shift with the potential of a 30 percent lift thanks to the increase in tables. Enhanced Product Features include:
- Increased Battery Life: Ziosk operates with 18-plus hours of battery power, enabling restaurants to operate the complete day without service interruptions.
- PCI Compliant: Ziosk is fully compliant with all Payment Card Industry Payment Application Data Security Standards (PCI PA-DSS) requirements.
- Ruggedized and Spill Resistant: Ziosk was designed for the restaurant environment, and is both spill resistant and drop tested for hard surfaces.
- Customizable Table Configurations: Ziosk offers multiple mounting options, vertical or horizontal in custom designed condiment holders or wall mounts.
- Dynamic Content Scheduling: This patent-pending feature enables Ziosk to display relevant content at specific periods of the dining cycle by day part. Therefore, lunch specific promotions will be shown just during lunch prior to placing the order or just during the meal.
- Training and HR: Ziosk offers restaurant employees the opportunity to login to view vacation and paycheck information, training programs, videos from management and other servers, enter internal blog information or participate in internal programs and competitions.
"Cozymel's proved the model across a number of fronts — higher check averages, increased customer frequency and table turns, positive customer feedback, menu up selling and financial comfort in transacting independent of a server," said Shawn Gentry, chief operating officer and president of TableTop Media. "Despite the current economic environment, we are very pleased with the level of interest among national chains to explore the technology across all category segments. The fact is, Ziosk goes way beyond security and convenience for guests, and it adds dollars to the pockets of restaurateurs and their employees. It's a win-win."
