From Surviving to Thriving
Margins are being squeezed from every angle – labour, food, energy – and yet guest expectations keep climbing.
The answer isn’t to do more with less; it’s to re-design the work. In 2025, the operators winning are those
who automate the right tasks, protect staff time, and turn every guest interaction into a revenue opportunity.
In many markets, it still accounts for 20–30% of transactions, particularly in quick-service and fast-casual
formats. Yet manual cash handling is a silent profit drain – hours lost to counting, reconciling, and banking,
plus the risk of errors and shrinkage.
The Cost Crunch Vs. The Experience Gap
The global restaurant industry is projected to reach $4.03 trillion in 2025, up from $3.48 trillion in 2024,
with a CAGR of 7.8% through 2032. But growth doesn’t mean easy margins. Labour costs remain one of the biggest
pressures worldwide, and today 70% of restaurant operators report having job openings that are tough to fill,
while 45% say they don’t have enough employees to support existing customer demand, according to the National
Restaurant Association (NRA). This shortage impacts both service quality and profitability.
And guests are increasingly comfortable with digital ordering in-store. Self service kiosks aren’t just about
cutting queues – they’re about consistency and control. For guests: choice, speed, and ability to customise
without pressure. For operators: predictable upselling logic, higher average transaction values, and the
ability to redeploy staff to hospitality moments rather than order entry.
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34%
40%
26%
Hover to learn more
Staffing volatility isn’t going away
70%
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50%
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51%
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To discover how you can transform your customer experience with smart automation solutions, get in touch.
How Restaurants Can Win in a Cost Heavy World
Lever One
For many brands, the drive through remains the single biggest revenue channel.
Off-premises dining – including drive-through – has grown 300% faster than dine-in since 2014 (NRA), and the
trend shows no sign of slowing. Globally, drive-through formats are forecast to grow at 6% CAGR through 2030,
fuelled by consumer demand for speed and convenience (Cognitive Market Research).
If you’re looking to protect margins, elevate guest experience, and future proof your brand, GLORY can help.
Starting with the levers that make the biggest impact – cash automation, kiosks, drive through optimisation,
and digital signage – we can help your business thrive. Let’s talk about how Glory can help you turn cost
pressure into competitive advantage.
Ready to Rethink the Model?
At the same time, consumer expectations are rising. Guests want speed, accuracy, and personalisation – without
losing the human touch. Research shows 64% of full-service and 47% of limited-service customers prioritise
experience over price (National Restaurant Association). Digital convenience was once optional; now it’s the
baseline. The challenge? Balancing operational efficiency with a guest experience that feels effortless.
That’s where strategic automation and smart on-site marketing content come in – not as gimmicks, but as
strategic levers for margin and loyalty.
Globally, kiosk adoption continues to accelerate, driven by labour shortages and consumer demand for
convenience. Across various studies, operators using kiosks report average transaction values rising by
anywhere from 10-30% thanks to consistent upsell prompts. Add cash acceptance at the kiosk, and you keep the
experience inclusive for every customer – critical in markets where cash remains a preferred payment method.
Cash automation changes the equation. By automating acceptance and reconciliation, operators can: Reduce
labour hours spent on cash tasks. Cut variance and shrinkage, improving financial control. Strengthen
compliance with a clear audit trail.
But seconds matter. Every delay in the lane is lost revenue and lost loyalty. The solution? Technology that
makes speed and accuracy effortless: Clear order confirmation screens to reduce errors. Dynamic menus that
flex by daypart or promotion. Reliable lane management to keep throughput high. When the experience feels fast
and frictionless, guests come back – and spend more.
Lever Two
Drive Through as the Profit Engine
Cash Automation as a Strategic Enabler
Self-service Kiosks for Throughput and Upsell
Lever Three
Click to learn more
Cash isn’t disappearing.
The upside? Lower print costs, faster speed to market, and a guest experience that feels relevant and on brand
– every time. In an era where consumers are bombarded with marketing messages everywhere their eyes turn,
relevance becomes the cornerstone, and smart, dynamic signage becomes a critical tool for influencing choice
at the point of decision.
Today, every screen is a sales engine – if you use it well. Digital menu boards and centrally managed signage
let operators: Update pricing and promotions instantly. Tailor content by time of day, weather, or local
events. Test and optimise offers across the estate with measurable results.
Static menus are yesterday’s news.
Digital Menu Boards and Enterprise Signage
Lever Four
The Guest Lens: Why It Matters Beyond Ops
Guests don’t see automation – they feel it. They feel shorter queues, faster service, and menus that make
sense for the moment. They feel empowered to customise without holding up the line. And when the experience
feels effortless, they come back. In a world where loyalty is fragile and price sensitivity is high,
experience is the differentiator. Technology isn’t replacing hospitality – it’s enabling it.
These aren’t gadgets. They’re margin levers and brand builders. In a cost‑heavy world, the operators who
thrive will be those who design smarter workflows, not just work harder. Automation and smart content aren’t
about replacing people – they’re about giving teams the time and tools to deliver hospitality where it counts.
The Bigger Picture
Guests don’t see automation – they feel it. They feel shorter queues, faster service, and menus that make
sense for the moment. They feel empowered to customise without holding up the line. And when the experience
feels effortless, they come back.
The strategic upside? Managers reclaim time for training and guest engagement, while staff focus on
hospitality – not counting notes in a back office.