TORONTO — When it comes to ordering a meal or a quick snack on the go, 76 per cent of Canadians say they prefer to order online or through a kiosk compared to placing their order with a person, according to Square’s 2024 Future of Commerce report. In response, the company has launched Square Kiosk in Canada, a fully integrated software, hardware and payments solution that enables self-serve ordering for quick-service restaurants. The kiosks can be mounted on a countertop, wall or attached to a floor stand depending on the seller’s unique space and flow of business.
Oakberry Açaí, an organic açaí bowl chain with 700+ location across the globe, was an early adopter and tester of Square Kiosk at its English Bay Beach store in Vancouver this summer.
“One of the most appealing features of Oakberry Açaí is the ability to add and customize layers of flavours and toppings ─ from chia pudding and granola, to protein powder and peanut butter crumbs. Ordering through Square Kiosk means customers can build their bowl exactly to their own tastes,” says Maverick Bides, general manager at Oakberry Açaí Western Canada. “We’ve also seen shorter lines, less waste and an increase in the average order because it’s so fast and easy for customers to add on extra items like a coconut water or an Oakbar.”
“With the evolution of technology in the hospitality industry, Canadians have come to expect efficiency and convenience when ordering, and Square Kiosk delivers on that,” says Ming-Tai Huh, head of F&B at Square. “Amid staffing challenges, growing costs and shrinking margins, Square Kiosk also gives operators the ability to staff up other areas of their businesses while busting lines and cutting down on wait time for customers.”
The kiosk works seamlessly with Square for Restaurants and Square’s broader eco-system of financial services, customer engagement and business insights tools. The Square Kiosk is available online at the Square Shop and on Amazon Canada, starting at $249 (iPad not included) with an additional $70 monthly software fee per device.
