Self-service kiosks: a checkout counter, but without a cashier

The self-service kiosk at Dodo is a large touchscreen terminal that guests use to place their own orders. It functions like a checkout counter, but without a cashier: guests select their items, customize their order, pay by card, and receive a receipt with a table number.

Within the Dodo network, it is part of the overall Dodo IS digital ecosystem. They operate on a single platform alongside the website, app, cash registers, and kitchen tablets: an order placed at the kiosk is immediately sent to the kitchen, recorded in analytics, and included in all reports.

There are two main types of kiosks, which differ in size and location.

A classic setup for urban pizzerias: a tall freestanding kiosk at the entrance or in the center of the dining area. It features a large vertical screen and a convenient area for payment and receipt pickup. It’s large and eye-catching, and they’re usually placed in pairs to relieve pressure on the cash registers during peak hours.

Lighter and more compact models that mount on a wall or stand. They take up less space and are well-suited for small venues, retail locations in shopping centers, and the Easy Spot format, where it’s important to maximize space for guests while still offering a new digital experience.

Both types of kiosks run on Dodo’s specialized interface: it’s not just a browser displaying a website, but a custom-built application designed for in-store use, featuring quick menu navigation and integration with the loyalty program.

Kiosks aren’t just about convenience — they’re also about very concrete numbers.

According to the chain’s internal data and the results of the rollout:

• One in three pizzerias in Russia is already equipped with self-service kiosks. The large-scale rollout began in 2024, and over the course of two years, the fleet has grown to more than 1,800 terminals.
• Orders placed via kiosks account for about 25% of all orders at the pizzeria. In other words, one in four orders at the restaurant is placed through a self-service terminal.
• The average check at a kiosk is 30−40% higher than at a regular cash register. This is a key economic benefit: the interface gently nudges the guest toward additional items — drinks, sauces, desserts, and combos.

Why does this happen:

• The kiosk doesn’t rush you. Guests can leisurely browse the menu, look at photos, read the ingredients, and go back without a live line forming behind them. Because of this, people are more likely to add something extra to their order.
• The kiosk interface is specifically designed for upselling: sections featuring add-ons and special offers are integrated into the ordering process, and the kiosk never fails to remind customers of them. This isn’t aggressive selling, but rather logical steps—such as suggesting a drink or dessert to go with the pizza they’ve already chosen.
• Kiosks free up floor space. While some guests are placing their orders at the terminal, the cashier can devote more attention to complex issues, gather orders at the pickup counter, and assist families with children. During peak hours, this directly impacts service speed and guest satisfaction.

Technically, a kiosk is just a tablet. The real magic happens in the interface. The new kiosk interface was designed around a few key principles:

• Navigation is like a good app, but even simpler. Large pizza and category cards, large clickable areas, and minimal text on a single screen. The kiosk takes into account that it may be used by people with children, older guests, and those encountering the brand for the first time.
• Native offers instead of intrusive ads. Upsell offers are integrated into the flow so as not to be annoying: first, the guest assembles their basic order, and only then is subtly presented with options to add to their combo, or add a drink or dessert. The interface suggests, but doesn’t push.
• Integration with the loyalty program and Dodo IS. Guests can log in via the kiosk to receive cashback, earn DodoCoins, and use promo codes. For the operations team, this means that every order placed at the kiosk goes directly into Dodo IS: it can be viewed in real time, analyzed, and compared with cash register and delivery data.
• Brand visual identity. Bright accents, dynamic typography, brand colors, and illustrations — all of this makes the terminal part of the pizzeria’s overall atmosphere. For many guests, this is a special wow moment: you’re not standing in line, but interacting with a modern, user-friendly interface.

Ultimately, the new kiosk interface solves two problems at once:

• For the guest, it’s a fast, convenient, and even slightly playful way to order pizza, without lines or time pressure.
• For the business, it’s a tool for revenue growth and a manageable flow of orders, fully integrated into the Dodo digital platform.