ACRELEC News from Around the World

ACRELEC kiosks

ACRELEC AI Voice

Insight: The idea of upselling and greater sales without people is fine, but, as a customer, what I really want is a speedier transaction.  The concept of “Pre-processing” comes to mind. If providing my loyalty number is only good for getting pitched, then I might NOT provide my loyalty number. How many times does it take calling customer service for them to recognize your number and dispense with the usual “We are experiencing extra time blah blah”, then something about latest whizbang and then they ask you for your phone number?  Where is AI when you want it? From KioskIndustry

Maybe the most accomplished of all kiosk providers in the world is ACRELEC (and especially ACRELEC America).

We actually awarded “Best of 2024” to two separate kiosk models (K27). Here is our awards page.  ACRELEC might be the smartest acquisition Glory ever makes.  The ACRELEC AI Voice article caught our attention. They are very adept at knowing the news pulse.

Here is summary of AI article

AI is the New Voice at the Drive-Thru – Are You Ready?” discusses the integration of AI-powered voice assistants in fast-food drive-thru systems. Here are the key points:

  • Enhanced Order AccuracyAI voice assistants are being implemented to take orders with near-perfect accuracy, significantly improving the customer experience.
  • Reduced Wait TimesAI technology is designed to streamline the ordering process, leading to shorter wait times for customers.
  • Modernization of Drive-Thrus: This shift toward AI is part of a broader trend to modernize drive-thru operations, making them more efficient and user-friendly.
  • Impact on Staff: The introduction of AI may also change the roles of restaurant staff, allowing them to focus on other aspects of customer service while the AI handles order taking.
  • Consumer Readiness: The article raises questions about how ready consumers are to embrace this technology and the potential implications for the fast-food industry.

This development reflects a significant shift in how fast-food chains leverage technology to enhance service and efficiency.

ACRELEC AI Voice

In a recent article for The AI Journal, ACRELEC US CEO Thibaud Denolle dives into how AI-powered voice ordering is transforming the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry. From improving order accuracy to enhancing customer interactions, AI-driven drive-thrus are no longer the future—they’re happening now. 🚀

With labor shortages and evolving customer expectations, restaurants need technology that delivers both speed and consistency. AI voice ordering is not just an upgrade—it’s a game-changer.

Read the full article here: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gGWAGx-E

How do you see AI shaping the future of drive-thru experiences? Let’s discuss in the comments! ⬇️

LinkedIn


ACRELEC Spain

¡Comienza el segundo día de hashtagHIP2025! 🚀

ACRELEC Spain - The exhibition booth, adorned with a purple carpet, showcases digital kiosks and screens featuring technology products. Brand logos like AURES Group, EuroCIS, and ACRELEC are prominently displayed, alongside interactive displays highlighting AI Voice Ordering and a brochure stand.

The exhibition booth, adorned with a purple carpet, showcases digital kiosks and screens featuring technology products. Brand logos like AURES Group, EuroCIS, and ACRELEC are prominently displayed, alongside interactive displays highlighting AI Voice Ordering and a brochure stand.

¡Acercaos a nuestro stand en el pabellón 4, F664 y os mostraremos todos los equipos que hemos traído a la feria!
Agradecemos a todos los que os habéis pasado a visitarnos, para compartir ideas y poder enseñaros las distintas soluciones de ACRELEC y GLORY!. Si aún no lo has hecho, ¡te esperamos en nuestro stand!

📍 4F664 IFEMA
📅 10-12 Marzo

LinkedIn


ACRELEC United Kingdom

Two ACRELEC self-service kiosks sit against a colorful brick wall. The left kiosk features a digital menu, while the right screen presents drink options with Whats your flavor?—highlighting cocktails and kids drinks—enhanced by AI Voice Ordering for a seamless experience.

Two ACRELEC self-service kiosks sit against a colorful brick wall. The left kiosk features a digital menu, while the right screen presents drink options with Whats your flavor?—highlighting cocktails and kids drinks—enhanced by AI Voice Ordering for a seamless experience.

The SSP Unit in The Mezz at Terminal 2, Dublin Airport features ACRELEC cutting-edge technology, bringing a revolutionary dining experience to travellers. ✈️

🍽️ Four Kitchens in One: ACRELEC‘s custom software brings a unique concept to airport dining, allowing customers to explore and order from four diverse menus, all from a single kiosk. Whatever your pre-flight craving, we’ve made it simple and got you covered!

💡 A Seamless Ordering Experience: With ACRELEC‘s K27 Kiosks, customers can view all menus and place orders effortlessly. The integrated cash recycler from GLORY ensures a smooth and secure transaction every time.

🔧 State-of-the-Art Hardware and Software: The combination of ACRELEC‘s advanced software and robust K27 Kiosks guarantees a reliable and efficient service, enhancing the customers overall dining experience.

Join us at The Mezz and experience the ease and future of airport dining!🍴

Learn more 👉 🔗 https://bit.ly/3Cfac3Y

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More ACRELEC Kiosk Posts

ABOUT ACRELEC

ACRELEC is recognized as a world leader in the kiosk industry, particularly in the self-ordering kiosk market. Here are some key points that support this status:

  1. Market Share and Leadership: ACRELEC holds a significant share of the global self-ordering kiosk market, with a reported 16% of global hardware shipments. This positions them as a leading supplier to major quick-service restaurant (QSR) chains like McDonald’s, Burger King, and KFC14.

  2. Global Presence and Partnerships: ACRELEC collaborates with prominent brands across various sectors, including SSP in airports, enhancing customer experiences through tailored self-service solutions6. Their technology is used in multiple countries, further solidifying their global influence7.

  3. Innovative Solutions: ACRELEC offers a range of cutting-edge digital solutions, including self-service kiosks, drive-thru systems, and self-checkout products. These solutions are designed to boost efficiency and customer satisfaction, making them a preferred choice for many leading brands57.

  4. Parent Company and Financial Backing: ACRELEC is owned by Glory, a global leader in cash technology solutions, which provides strong financial backing and expertise in cash handling technology35. This partnership enhances ACRELEC’s capabilities in developing kiosks that accept various payment methods, including cash and credit3.

Taco Bell AI Drive Thru News

Taco Bell has frequently discussed its use of AI in drive-thru operations, particularly in recent months. Here are some key instances where Taco Bell has highlighted its AI drive-thru technology:

  1. Expansion Announcement: In July 2024, Yum! Brands announced plans to expand AI voice technology to hundreds of Taco Bell drive-thrus across the U.S. by the end of the year. This was a significant step after successful trials in over 100 locations across 13 states135.

  2. Benefits and Testing: Taco Bell emphasized that AI helps streamline operations, improve order accuracy, reduce wait times, and enhance customer experience. The technology was developed over two years of testing and refinement235.

  3. Employee and Customer Experience: The company highlighted that AI eases team members’ workloads, allowing them to focus on hospitality. It also enables new ways to engage with customers237.

  4. Global Ambitions: Taco Bell aims to implement AI globally, with ongoing tests in KFC locations in Australia57.

  5. Recent Updates: As of November 2024, Taco Bell’s AI drive-thru was operational in 300 U.S. locations, processing over 2 million orders since its pilot began6.

Taco Bell’s leadership has consistently emphasized the role of AI in enhancing both employee and customer experiences, positioning it as a core part of their innovation strategy

Website Editor

Europe – Are You Behind or Ahead in Self-Service?

KFC Italy kiosks

Self Service in Europe – Poland, Italy & Spain

Introduction

Europe self-service is something to watch! Pretty easy to watch the big companies like McDonald’s, Yum Foods, Inspire and others.   And we think US companies at that point.  Worth noting KFC has over 30,000 restaurants worldwide. Less than 4000 in the US. Everybody likes chicken apparently 🙂  From Digital-Signage.blog

Our tagline — Europe – Are they Behind or Ahead in Self-Service? The US seems to be falling behind Europe and China for that matter. All the cool stuff is there. I know there is residual US pride at play but best to get over it and get with it. Competition is good!

Insight

Europe has consistently led in technology and design. We examine primary design and technology advances in Europe.  Today, we look at m4b in Poland and also Acrelec in Italy. Europe has also embraced “counterless”. Instead of counters with 4 or 5 kiosks, they tend to do no counters and 15-20 kiosks. Looking for examples of COB displays being used in drive-thru outdoor. Europe leads the way there as well. European providers also utilize Chinese manufacturing much more than “Made in USA” stuff. Acrelec, for example, has facilities in China.

Europe has always led in technology and design. We examine major design and technology advances in Europe.

  • Actual AI drive-thru technology that works and isn’t just “talked about” for stock price.
  • Innovative outdoor designs
  • Counterless – Employee Free Zones
  • Next generation menu boards
  • SCO Self Checkout

Part I – Poland

Pictures from Poland

We’ll start with pictures from Poland.  We are not going to show a few things which provide distinct competitive advantage. These are from mb4.pl

Videos from Poland

AI Voice Ordering
Putting Together a KFC

Resources & Brochures from Poland

ITALY and KFC



Website Editor

Companies

European companies

Recommended Europe Companies

Here is our list of recommended companies in Europe. Set up a meeting, have a coffee and visit.

Favorites and Marketing Partners

It is best to shop around for mini-PCs (here is the Intel link), but you will always need software. For media player software, we recommend Provisio. It is worth noting that my personal Linux stations are both NUCs from System76. (highest recommendation)

Solution Partners

Intel Computing

Media Player Software

Other Companies in Europe

  • M4B in Poland —  m4b.pl
  • Fujitsu SCO Self Checkout Europe — https://www.fujitsu.com/global/solutions/industry/retail/self-checkout/
  • Evoke Kiosks Creative in UK
  • Prestop in Netherlands
  • Lazenby Group UK
  • General Touch UK
  • CountR in Germany
  • Acante in UK
  • POWER in CZ
  • 10 Squared in UK
  • Metric in UK (Parking)
  • Sensis (disbanded)
  • Cammax in UK
  • All Right Now in UK
  • Elephant Kiosks (disbanded)
  • NovaGroup (for sale now)
Website Editor

About Kiosk Europe

kiosks europe

Who Is Kiosk Europe?

It is a project of Craig Keefner.  The KMA kiosk association has always had international members (see kioskasia.org for example) but in last 12 months the companies in Europe have multiplied to the point where a separate index is warranted.  This is not a pay to play news site.  Our overall mission has always been to inform and educate, regardless of advertising dollars.  Money distorts.  Having said that we do welcome supporters in financial sense.

Intel and Sitekiosk are major marketing partners for example. They assist in production and dissemination. Kudos to them. And even creates visibility for their competitors but as we always say “Competition is a good thing!”.

About Your Editor

Craig Allen Keefner is a prominent figure in the kiosk and self-service technology industry with over 40 years of experience. He is known for his extensive knowledge and contributions to the field, earning him the nickname “Mr. Kiosk”.

Career Highlights

  • Initially worked in Oil & Gas industry as a doodlebugger. Graduated to Western Research and programming+field service support worldwide
  • Kiosk Industry Group: Keefner currently manages the Kiosk Industry Group and assists with the Kiosk Manufacturer Association.
  • Started as moderator for Usenet compinfosystems.kiosk group in 1995 while working for Gift Certificate Center in MN
  • At GCC our main projects were Target Bridal Registry and Hallmark
  • Kiosks.org: He founded Kiosks.org in 1999
  • Kiosk Information Systems: Worked there for 11 years, managing internet resources and serving in various sales roles
  • Worked several years for Frank at Olea Kiosks.
  • Roles included: Sales, sales support, purchasing, programming, IT manager, supply chain management, software installation, hardware debugging
  • Executive Director: Served as the first Executive Director of the Kiosks.org Association
  • In 2003 Keefner “sold out” to Kentucky company, became principal and helped start major kiosk news site.

Expertise

Keefner has focused on transactional systems for self-service in various sectors, including:

  • QSR (Quick Service Restaurants)
  • Fast Casual dining
  • Healthcare
  • Telemedicine
  • Bill payment systems
  • EV Charging
  • Smart City technologies
  • Thin Clients
  • Automated Retail

Notable Projects

Throughout his career, Keefner has been involved in major projects for companies such as:

  • Verizon
  • Army Gaming Centers
  • Target Store Bridal Registry
  • Correctional VisitationAT&T
  • Safemark Best Lockers
  • See https://industrygroup.org for full list of verticals

Current Role

As of 2025, Craig Allen Keefner continues to be active in the industry, managing the Kiosk Industry Group and contributing to the growth and innovation of self-service technology34. He also writes for AVIXA, covering topics related to self-service technology trends4.

Craig Allen Keefner’s extensive experience and ongoing involvement in the kiosk and self-service industry make him a respected figure and valuable resource in the field

"Bayhill Bunch" first kiosk association meeting

“Bayhill Bunch” first kiosk association meeting 2003

Website Editor

Contact

Contact Kiosk Europe

Easiest is sending email to [email protected] — You can send msg via LinkedIn if you like.  I generally DON’T connect with people who have some need to connect, but no real purpose.

Texting works too but I am likely to forget it — 720-324-1837

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