The writer is editor of Fast Casual magazine.
BALTIMORE — If the Mid-Atlantic Food and Beverage EXPO is any indication of the restaurant industry's future, operators may want to consider purchasing self-service technology. Several manufacturers and distributors exhibited their new products here Sept. 20-21.
Michelle MacKeith, director of operations for Data Business Systems, showcased POSitouch's Nextwave Intelligent Self-Service System. She said 
self-service technology has yet to take off in the restaurant industry, but said Wal-Mart and grocery stores are deploying the technology.
self-service technology has yet to take off in the restaurant industry, but said Wal-Mart and grocery stores are deploying the technology. "What usually happens is the restaurant industry is about three to five years behind the retail segment," MacKeith said.
MacKeith said POSitouch has yet to execute a national marketing campaign, but has tested the kiosk in three restaurants. According to POSitouch sales literature, the technology increases average checks by 25 percent and speeds up order transactions by 10 seconds.
"This solution is really ideal for restaurants looking to boost carryout sales," MacKeith said.
Kraft Foods exhibited a vending-machine-like unit called Carry-Out Café, which uses impinger baking and microwave technology to cook a variety of foods, including pizzas, brownies, hot dogs and grilled-cheese sandwiches.
Harry Myers, account manager
for Kraft, said the self-service device can cook these items in less than 2 minutes at 160 F. Customers simply push a button as they would with a soda or snack machine, and minutes later, a container pops out of the chute and the food is ready to eat. Myers said the machine is ideal for airports and malls.
for Kraft, said the self-service device can cook these items in less than 2 minutes at 160 F. Customers simply push a button as they would with a soda or snack machine, and minutes later, a container pops out of the chute and the food is ready to eat. Myers said the machine is ideal for airports and malls."We don't really position this for restaurants, but we do have some limited-service restaurants using it," Myers said.
Espresso-Etc. pitched its self-service coffeemaker to fast-casual restaurants as a line buster. At the touch of a screen, the Aroma Super-Automatic Machine creates espresso, lattes, cappuccino or regular or decaf coffee. Price: $5,900.
"The customer sees it made right in front of their eyes, and the beans are fresh," said Erich Oppenheimer, vice president of operations for Espresso-Etc. "A place like Panera Bread could really benefit from this because it cuts back on labor costs."
