Self-Service Kiosk Comparison: SPARK Kiosk or SPARK Kiosk Express?

Introduction

Self-service kiosks are rapidly becoming a cornerstone of modern customer service in hospitality, retail and quick-service environments. They reduce queues, improve order accuracy and elevate the customer experience while freeing staff to focus on higher-value tasks. SPARK EPoS offers two distinct kiosk solutions: SPARK Kiosk and SPARK Kiosk Express. Each is tailored to different business needs. Understanding their differences helps businesses choose the right technology to enhance service efficiency and maximise revenue during peak trading periods.

Core Differences Between SPARK Kiosk and SPARK Kiosk Express

Both kiosk solutions share a common purpose: enabling customers to place their own orders easily and accurately. They integrate seamlessly with the SPARK EPoS system so that orders sync in real time with the point of sale, kitchen display systems (KDS) and reporting tools. However, they differ in form factor, typical use case and feature emphasis.

Hardware Presence and Design

The SPARK Kiosk is a full-featured self-service terminal designed for flexible placement and visibility in busy areas. It can be configured as floor-standing or wall-mounted, making it suitable for a wide range of venues from fast casual restaurants and cafes to retail checkouts and busy concession stands. Its design prioritises customer engagement and accessibility for diverse user groups. 

SPARK Kiosk Express is intentionally more compact and desktop-friendly, making it ideal for spaces with limited counter area or smaller footprints. The Express model delivers a streamlined self-ordering experience without the larger hardware footprint typically associated with floor-standing kiosks. It provides a cost-effective entry point into self-service technology for smaller venues such as boutique cafes or convenience retail outlets. 

Upselling Capabilities & User Experience

Both kiosk solutions feature intuitive customer interfaces that guide users through the ordering process, reducing friction and order abandonment. They offer clear menu visuals, easy customisation of items, multi-language support and optional customer notes or preferences. All are designed to empower customers to confidently place orders without assistance. 

SPARK Kiosk emphasises features such as advertising visuals and nutritional information that help businesses showcase promotions, highlight dietary attributes and draw attention to high-margin items directly on the kiosk display. These capabilities enhance the customer experience and can support upselling without additional staff input. 

SPARK Kiosk Express delivers a more streamlined interface, focusing on fast product selection rather than visual promotion. This makes Express ideal for venues where speed and simplicity take priority over visual merchandising.

Use Cases and Business Fit

The SPARK Kiosk is best suited to businesses that want a highly visible self-service solution with rich functionality. Fast-paced environments with high footfall, such as large restaurants, supermarkets or busy retail spaces, benefit from the flexible hardware configurations and advanced ordering support. It is ideal for customers who want more time to browse menus, view product imagery and consider their options before confirming an order. This approach supports larger venues, destination dining and customers who value choice.

SPARK Kiosk Express is tailored for smaller venues such as cafes, smaller bakeries or compact retail counters that still want to offer self-ordering convenience. It is ideal for customers who already know what they want. Its compact interface and straightforward navigation help speed up service and reduce queue times, making it particularly suitable for smaller venues or venues focused on rapid service.

Shared Benefits of Both Kiosk Solutions

Both SPARK Kiosk and SPARK Kiosk Express deliver common advantages, helping businesses improve operational efficiency and customer satisfaction through self-service technology. These benefits include:

• Waiting time in a venue is reduced by 62%
• Fewer ordering errors and greater order accuracy
• Freeing up staff to prioritise personalised service
• 42% customers said they prefer to use self-service kiosks in restaurants
• Seamless integration with SPARK EPoS, KDS and reporting systems
• Enhanced capability for upselling and promotional messaging

• 15% revenue increase through the use of Kiosks 

Is Self-Service Always the Right Choice?

While self-service kiosks offer clear benefits, some operators remain cautious about their adoption. They may worry that customers prefer staff interaction or that their demographic is less comfortable with technology. Small venues with very low footfall may also question the return on investment for kiosk hardware.

However, research indicates that self-service ordering can reduce queue times by a significant margin and increase average order values because customers feel empowered to customise selections and explore add-on offers. Moreover, kiosks ensure consistent accuracy and reduce the risk of miscommunication between staff and customers. For businesses concerned about customer experience, both SPARK Kiosk and SPARK Kiosk Express provide intuitive interfaces designed to be accessible to a broad range of users, helping to smooth the transition to self-service. 

Conclusion

Choosing between SPARK Kiosk and SPARK Kiosk Express depends on your business needs and physical space. Both solutions integrate seamlessly with the broader SPARK EPoS platform, enabling efficient order processing, real-time reporting and improved customer experiences. If you are ready to elevate service and streamline operations with a self-service kiosk, book a demo with SPARK EPoS today and discover which kiosk solution best supports your business goals.