Healthy fast-casual chain UFood Grill entered the Maryland market with a 42-seat, 2,000-square-foot location in Owings Mills. It is the 18th unit for the chain and its first stand-alone location.
It is also the first location to employ self-service kiosks with facial-recognition technology. Customers have the option of ordering at the self-service kiosks or via the traditional counter/cashier system. The first time a customer uses the kiosk, they are asked if they would like to add their phone number and if they’d like to take a photo. Regardless of which option they select, the POS system saves their information for future visits.
The next time the customer visits the Owings Mills location, they can choose to use their phone number or their photo to begin a new order or select a previous order. The chain believes the self-service kiosks will expedite the ordering process for busy commuters — the location is next to a subway stop. From start to finish, customers can order and pay in less than 10 seconds, according to a release.
UFood Grill offers a menu of burgers, sandwiches, salads and bowls, all with less than 700 calories and prepared baked, broiled or steamed.