Statista reports that the global kiosk market generated approximately $28.34 billion in revenue in 2021. Projections indicate that this figure will continue to grow and reach an estimated $45.32 billion by 2028.
It is undeniable that self-service kiosks entail a substantial investment. If you add in hardware, software, installation, software subscriptions, and maintenance, it’s easy to see why small restaurants hesitate to implement them.
However, a successful kiosk balances initial costs against long-term savings and revenue growth. If labor shortages and increasing wages are cutting into profits, kiosks can relieve staffing pressure while boosting efficiency. But how much does a kiosk cost exactly?
This article breaks down:
- How much does a kiosk cost?
- What are its different types?
- What factors influence its pricing?
- How can you cut costs while buying them?
Kiosk Pricing Breakdown: How Much Does a Kiosk Cost?
The price for a kiosk unit typically falls within the range of $2,500 to $10,000, depending on the type of kiosk, hardware quality, software customization, installation, and the ongoing maintenance it requires.
However, this price range ($2,500-$10,000) is just a ballpark figure. Actual costs can be more or less than this, depending on the factors we just mentioned. But how can you know which type of kiosk costs how much, and what its use case is? Well, in the next section, we will discuss the key factors that determine how much a kiosk costs in detail.
Types of kiosks & Their Costs
There are many different types of kiosks, and their prices vary quite a bit due to the different purposes they serve.
| Type of Kiosk | Estimated Kiosk Price Range | Key Costs |
| Self-ordering kiosk for restaurants | $3,000 – $7,500 | Hardware, software, POS integration, installation |
| Standalone food kiosk | $5,000 – $15,000+ | Structure, permits, POS, inventory, utilities |
| Digital information kiosk | $2,500 – $6,000 | LCD display, software, installation, internet |
| AI-powered interactive touchscreen kiosk | $5,000 – $12,000 | Touchscreen, AI software, voice recognition, cloud storage |
Now, let’s look at how much a kiosk costs for each type in detail.
Self-Ordering Kiosk for Restaurants (Most Popular Choice)
You’ve probably seen self-service or self-ordering kiosks at McDonald’s, where a touchscreen allows customers to browse the menu and pay for their meal without interacting with a cashier. The kiosk syncs with the restaurant’s POS system and sends the order directly to the kitchen for preparation.
McDonald’s self-order kiosks increase average order sizes by 20%, as customers tend to add more items when they aren’t rushed by a cashier. Let’s see how much this type of Kiosk costs to a business like yours and what are the key costs involved.
Price Range: $3,000 – $7,500 per unit
Key costs involved:
| Feature | Cost |
| Hardware | $2,000 – $5,000 (Payment terminal, receipt printer) |
| Software and Licensing | $20 – $200 per month per kiosk (POS integration, menu management) |
| Installation and Setup | $500 – $2,000 (depends on wiring, connectivity, and location) |
| Maintenance and Support | $50 – $250 per month (software updates, troubleshooting) |
Food Kiosks (Standalone Kiosk Businesses)
Food kiosks are fully functional mini-businesses for grab-and-go food operations. They are commonly found in malls, airports, train stations, and busy urban areas where foot traffic is high. Unlike restaurant self-ordering kiosks, these are physical food-selling kiosks where customers can walk up, place an order, and receive their food immediately.
Starbucks Grab & Go kiosks in office buildings are the perfect examples of stand-alone kiosks where customers quickly pick up their drinks without waiting in line. Let’s see how much this type of Kiosk costs to a business like yours and what are the key costs involved.
Price Range: $5,000 – $15,000+
Key Costs:
| Feature | Cost |
| Kiosk Structure and Buildout | $3,000 – $10,000 (custom cabinetry, refrigeration, cooking equipment) |
| POS System and Ordering Screen | $1,000 – $3,000 (payment processing) |
| Business Licensing and Permits | $500 – $3,000 (varies by city/state) |
| Initial Inventory and Supplies | $1,000 – $5,000 (ingredients, packaging) |
| Maintenance and Utilities | $200 – $500 per month (electricity, water, cleaning) |
Digital Information Kiosks (For Menu Displays & Ordering)
A digital information kiosk uses a large digital display to run dynamic content like menu boards and order status updates. You must have seen it in restaurants or in food outlets like KFC, especially around the ordering counter. Since they are information-focused kiosks, they are relatively larger in size compared to other types of kiosks.
Price range: $2,500 – $6,000
Key costs:
| Feature | Cost |
| Digital Display Screen | $1,500 – $4,000 (size and resolution impact cost) |
| Software and Content Management | $30 – $100 per month per screen (menu updates, automation) |
| Installation | $500 – $1,500 (mounting, wiring) |
| Internet Connectivity and Power | $50 – $200 per month |
Interactive Kiosks with AI & Touchscreens
Interactive kiosks use AI and machine learning to create a personalized and touch-free ordering experience. In addition to taking orders, they suggest items based on customer preferences and recommend upsells. Some models, like Wendy’s, also include voice recognition and multilingual capabilities so customers can speak instead of using the touchscreen.
Wendy’s initially launched its AI-powered drive-thru ordering kiosk in collaboration with Google Cloud at just four locations. Today, the technology is operational in over 100 restaurants and is expected to expand to 500 locations by the end of the year. Here’s how much this type of kiosk typically costs:
Price Range: $5,000 – $12,000
Key costs:
| Feature | Cost |
| AI-Powered Software and Licensing | $1,000 – $5,000 (one-time or subscription-based) |
| High-End Touchscreen | $3,000 – $7,000 (facial recognition, voice processing) |
| POS and Payment Integration | $1,000 – $3,000 (contactless, mobile wallets, NFC) |
| Installation | $500 – $2,000 |
| Cloud and Data Storage Fees | $100 – $500 per month |
What Affects Kiosk Prices?
The answer to “How much does a kiosk cost?” is based on how you build it. After you’ve decided on the type you want to install, here are some factors that will determine your actual pricing.
1. Hardware costs
A small 10-inch touchscreen (common in tablet-based kiosks) costs much less than a high-end 32-inch industrial-grade touchscreen used in premium self-service kiosks. For payment terminals, basic card readers are cheap, but full EMV/NFC/contactless payment terminals (Apple Pay, Google Pay, tap-to-pay) add $300—$1,500 to the cost.
If your kiosk prints receipts or scans QR codes, these peripherals add another $300—$1,000, depending on the model. A small kiosk can run on an Android tablet, but high-end models have industrial-grade processors that cost $500—$2,000+ to ensure fast, glitch-free performance.
2. Software costs
The two main pricing models for a kiosk software include:
- Subscription-based SaaS: $20 – $500 per month per kiosk
- One-time software license: $3,000 – $20,000+ upfront
If you need custom POS integration, loyalty program features, or AI-powered recommendations, expect to pay $5,000 – $30,000+ for custom development.
3. Installation and Maintenance Costs
Many kiosk buyers focus only on the hardware and software, only to be hit with unexpected installation and maintenance costs later. Setting up a kiosk isn’t as simple as plugging it in, the logistics involved include:
- Shipping and Freight: $200 – $1,500 per unit
- Setup and wiring: $500 – $2,000, especially if power outlets, network cables, or internet connections need modifications
- Software updates and support: $50 – $250/month per kiosk for ongoing updates and customer service
If your kiosk runs on a cellular data plan, expect to pay $20 – $100 per month per kiosk.
Customization costs
Customization is where costs can skyrocket. A kiosk with your logo, colors, and animations adds $1,000—$5,000 in design fees. If your kiosk dispenses items, scans IDs, or integrates with IoT devices, expect to pay extra for custom engineering. And if you want AI-powered recommendations or multi-language support, that’s another $5,000—$20,000 in development costs.
Self-Ordering Kiosks for Restaurants: Are They Worth the Cost?
Walk into any McDonald’s, Taco Bell, or Burger King, and you’ll notice that self-ordering kiosks for restaurants are everywhere. A 2023 PlayUSA survey found that more than 4 in 5 Americans prefer using self-service kiosks, and 66% said they would choose a kiosk over a cashier checkout when given the option.
Customers tend to spend more when ordering from a kiosk than from a cashier. McDonald’s has publicly stated that orders placed through kiosks are, on average, 20–30% larger than orders placed at the counter.
Long lines kill revenue. Customers hate waiting, and during peak hours, slow service means lost sales. Self-ordering kiosks for restaurants process orders faster than cashiers and allow multiple customers to order at once.
Chili’s rolled out over 45,000 self-ordering tablets across its restaurants and integrated Ziosk digital menus. These tablets were strategically programmed to display tempting dessert images, such as molten chocolate cake, while customers were still enjoying their main course. According to Chili’s, this approach has successfully driven a 20% increase in dessert sales.
So, yes, the self-order kiosk price is worth your investment because of it:
- Increases order sizes by 20–30% through automated upselling
- Reduces labor costs while improving overall efficiency
- Serves more customers faster during peak hours
- Meets customer expectations as self-service becomes the norm
Cost-Saving Tips When Buying a Kiosk
Now that you have the answer to your question, “How much does a kiosk cost?” here are insider cost-saving strategies to help you make a smart investment.
- Buy vs. Lease: If you plan to use the kiosk long-term, buying is almost always the better financial decision. Leasing only makes sense if you’re testing self-service kiosks in your business and want flexibility before committing. Some suppliers also offer lease-to-own programs, so you start with low monthly payments but own the kiosk after a set period.
- Best Places to Buy Kiosks: SwiftForce, Toast kiosks, NCR, TouchBistro Kiosks, Olea Kiosks, Elo Touch Solutions, and Meridian Kiosks are some of the best suppliers and manufacturers. You should buy directly from manufacturers like SwiftForce instead of resellers to cut out middlemen fees and get better pricing.
- Bulk Purchasing Discounts: Many suppliers offer volume discounts if you purchase more than one unit. Some suppliers also allow you to trade in older kiosks for credit toward a new one. You may find a few companies offering financing options to spread out the kiosk price. Smart kiosk buyers never pay full price, they negotiate and bundle deals.
FAQs: Your Kiosk Pricing Questions Answered
How much does a self-order kiosk cost for a small restaurant?
A self-order kiosk for a small restaurant costs $3,000 – $7,500 per unit. The actual price varies based on hardware, software, and installation.
Are kiosks cheaper than hiring employees?
Yes, kiosks are cheaper long-term. An average restaurant labor cost is 31.6% of the revenue, while a kiosk costs $3,000 – $7,500 upfront with minimal recurring expenses.
Can I customize my kiosk software to match my restaurant brand?
Yes, you can customize kiosk software with your restaurant’s branding, colors, menu, and POS integration, but full customization costs will require $5,000 – $20,000+ upfront.
Where can I buy affordable kiosks?
You can buy affordable kiosks from Elo Touch, Peerless-AV, Toast, KIOSK Information Systems, or Frank Mayer, or purchase them directly from manufacturers like SwiftForce to avoid reseller markups.
Unlock Your Kiosk Potential
So, how much does a kiosk cost? In this article, we learned that a kiosk will cost you between $2,500 – $10,000 per unit. The actual pricing varies based on the hardware and software you choose, your customization needs, and your installation technique.
If you’re looking for high-quality, competitively priced kiosks, SwiftForce Electronic Technology Co.,Ltd. is a leading POS and self-service kiosk manufacturer in China. We specialize in custom hardware solutions for retail technology software vendors and solution providers.
CTA:
Swiforce has in-house R&D, design, and manufacturing capabilities, therefore, we offer customized kiosk appearances, brand logos, functional modules, and complete product solutions—all at scalable production volumes.
Need a custom kiosk quote? Contact SwiftForce today!
