FRONT: Reimagining Restaurant Efficiency with AI Technology

ZBS POS/ April 21, 2026

See how Hi Tea used Front self-service kiosks and smart menu recommendations to increase average order value by 25%, double egg waffle sales, improve repurchase rate by 18%, and grow Google reviews by 30%.

In today’s highly competitive tea beverage market, how can a brand turn “one drink” into “one drink plus a snack,” and single-item orders into combo purchases?

Emerging tea brand Hi Tea found its answer with Front’s smart menu recommendation feature. By introducing intelligent product recommendations, Hi Tea not only increased its average order value by 25%, but also turned a Hong Kong-style snack from a “niche side item” into a best-selling add-on, achieving growth in both single-store revenue and customer experience.


Challenge: Specialty Snacks Became Milk Tea’s “Invisible Sidekick”

“Hi Tea” focuses on creative tea drinks and specialty snacks. Its egg waffle is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, making it a perfect match for milk tea. However, most customers only ordered drinks and overlooked the snack section, keeping snack revenue below 10%.

During peak hours, staff were busy taking orders, preparing drinks, packing, and serving customers. With limited manpower, they had little time to recommend egg waffles or explain pairing options, causing the store to miss many potential add-on sales.


Solution: Smart Recommendations + Scenario-Based Pairings Turn “Maybe Add One” into “I Need This”

To solve this, “Hi Tea” introduced Front self-service kiosks with smart menu recommendations. Customers can browse the menu, customize items, add snacks, place orders, and pay on their own, reducing pressure on front-counter staff.

At the same time, the system automatically recommends egg waffles or snack combos when customers select tea drinks. This allows product recommendations to happen at the right moment without relying on staff.

Results: After Launching Self-Service Kiosks, Average Order Value, Sales, and Repurchase Rate All Increased

After using Front self-service kiosks and smart recommendations, “Hi Tea” saw clear growth. Average order value increased from $6-8 to $8-10, up 25%; monthly egg waffle sales doubled; member repurchase rate increased by 18%; and Google review volume grew by 30%.

Front’s “one full-screen recommendation per order” rule also helped improve conversions without interrupting the customer experience.

Takeaway: Front Makes Business Growth Simpler

The “Hi Tea” case shows that Front is more than just a self-service ordering tool or a single recommendation feature. It is a full-process solution that connects ordering, add-ons, membership, reviews, and operations management.

  • For merchants, Front self-service kiosks help reduce staffing pressure and peak-hour lines; smart menu recommendations increase snack exposure and average order value; the membership system helps drive repeat purchases; and review management strengthens online reputation. Together, these features help stores achieve more stable revenue growth without adding extra labor costs.
  • For customers, Front makes ordering smoother and pairing recommendations more intuitive, reducing decision-making and wait time. Membership points and offers add more value, while the convenient review process makes it easier for customers to share their experience. In the end, customers enjoy a faster and more thoughtful experience, while merchants gain stronger long-term growth.

Whether you run a tea shop, full-service restaurant, or quick-service chain, Front’s smart tools can help you find the best connection between “products, customers, and operations.” In a competitive market, they help you build a differentiated path to revenue growth and turn every customer journey into a positive cycle of “one satisfying visit and many reasons to come back.”

FAQ：

  • Q1: Why do tea shops need self-service kiosks?

    A: Tea shops often receive a high volume of orders during peak hours, and manual ordering can easily lead to long lines and mistakes. Self-service kiosks allow customers to place orders, make payments, and add items on their own, helping reduce staff pressure and improve store efficiency.

  • Q2: How do smart menu recommendations increase average order value?

    A: The system automatically recommends suitable snacks or combo options based on the drink selected by the customer. For example, when a customer orders milk tea, the system can recommend an egg waffle combo, making add-on purchases feel more natural and increasing average order value.

  • Q3: What types of stores are Front self-service kiosks suitable for?

    A: Front self-service kiosks are suitable for high-frequency ordering scenarios such as tea shops, coffee shops, quick-service restaurants, dessert shops, and snack shops. They are especially useful for stores with limited staff, obvious lines, or goals to improve add-on sales and member repurchase rates.