{
  "id": 14487252,
  "title": "Square launches AI-powered ordering kiosks for fast-food restaurants",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/square-launches-ai-powered-ordering-kiosks-for-fast-food-restaurants",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-14T16:01:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Fast Company",
    "slug": "fast-company",
    "url": "https://www.fastcompany.com/91623162/square-ai-powered-kiosks-self-order-in-fast-food-restaurants"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Square, a point-of-sale company, is set to launch AI-powered kiosks for fast-food restaurants. The new kiosks, called Square Kiosk, aim to streamline the ordering process and assist restaurant owners in managing peak times. Featuring a unique oval design, they stand out from traditional, square, flat-screen kiosks. Square's team considers kiosks a growing area, given the increasing interest in self-service and automation among restaurants.\n\nCustomers can interact with the kiosks using touchscreens, voice commands, or by asking specific menu questions, such as \"show me pescetarian options\" or \"what's on the menu that doesn't contain onions?\" They can also link their Square Neighborhoods profile and Loyalty account to the kiosk. Square's hardware lead, Thomas Templeton, explained that the AI platform can provide contextual information and personalized recommendations, making interactions more akin to talking with a human.\n\nThe kiosk's AI capabilities can adjust its suggestions based on the time of day or popular items at a specific restaurant location. This innovation comes as Block Inc., Square's parent company, is increasingly incorporating AI and automation into its operations. The company recently announced staff reductions as it aims to become leaner in the AI era. Despite this, Block Inc.'s shares have outperformed the broader market this year, up 17.97% year-to-date compared to the S&P 500's 13.81% gain.\n\nSquare sees potential in the kiosk market, particularly in fast-food chains where customers can order without approaching the counter. Templeton emphasized that every device Square builds starts with addressing the challenges restaurants face daily, and the kiosk adds a layer of intelligence to the solution.",
  "summary": "While kiosks have become fixtures in many restaurants, most people still prefer ordering from a human being, industry data shows. But that soon may change, if all goes according to plan for Square. The point-of-sale company is launching the Square Kiosk, a new take on restaurant kiosks that employs a sleeker design and agentic AI . The kiosk—which features a distinct oval shape, separating it…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "UAE-based Trinetra Labs launches BlueHands.ai to bring AI-powered software creation and automation to everyday businesses",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/uae-based-trinetra-labs-launches-bluehands-ai-to-bring-ai-powered",
        "published": "2026-10-14T11:40:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Tech.eu",
        "title": "Miracly launches with €1.8M to automate AI-powered marketing",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/miracly-launches-with-1-8m-to-automate-ai-powered-marketing",
        "published": "2026-10-14T12:20:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}