Shift in New Ramen Shop Openings: Ticket Vending Machines Are Disappearing

A new alternative to ticket vending machines: 'anydeli' is accelerating digital transformation (DX) in ramen shops by enabling customers to complete everything from ordering to payment using their smartphones.

anydeli Co., Ltd., a provider of DX solutions for the food service industry, announced the expanding adoption of its 'anydeli Mobile Order & Pay' service among ramen restaurants.

While ticket vending machines have long been standard in ramen shops, a shift toward smartphone-based mobile ordering is now underway. This transition is driven by the high initial costs of vending machines, growing demand for cashless payments, and the need to increase average customer spending through side menu offerings.

Background

Ticket vending machines were widely adopted in ramen shops due to significant benefits such as improved cash management and enhanced security.

By reducing cash handling, minimizing accounting errors and change-related issues, and limiting staff access to sales revenue, these machines became standard equipment in many establishments.

However, in recent years, the widespread adoption of QR code payment systems such as PayPay, Rakuten Pay, d-payment, and au PAY has led to an increasing number of restaurants operating primarily on a cashless basis.

As cash transactions decrease, the core functions of ticket vending machines are being reevaluated.

*Source: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), 'Cashless Promotion Committee' materials

Moreover, traditional vending machines create bottlenecks: customers cannot use the machine until the previous user finishes ordering and payment, often causing queues near the entrance during peak hours.

In contrast, mobile ordering allows customers to browse menus, place orders, add items, make cashless payments, and complete checkout—all via their own smartphones. This reduces congestion at entry points and improves overall store operational efficiency.

In today’s cashless environment, restaurants need more than expensive ticket machines. What’s required is a seamless, efficient ordering and payment experience that benefits both the business and its customers.

With anydeli: End-to-End Ordering and Payment in One Place

With anydeli Mobile Order & Pay, customers simply scan a QR code with their smartphone to complete menu browsing, ordering, add-on orders, cashless payment, and checkout—all in one seamless process.

The service supports PayPay, Rakuten Pay, d-payment, au PAY, major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express), and international payment methods including Alipay and WeChat Pay, making it suitable for inbound tourism demand.

For restaurants, anydeli serves as a cost-effective alternative to ticket vending machines and integrates with POS systems and LINE. It enables sales analysis and efficient customer acquisition, contributing to reduced labor costs, improved operational efficiency, and higher table turnover.

Boosting Average Customer Spending

The mobile ordering interface can display recommended dishes, topping suggestions, drink pairings, and side menu items, enabling natural upselling and cross-selling.

Additionally, customers can easily place add-on orders from their seats—such as 'one more beer' or 'add gyoza'—leading to increased average spending per customer.

Significantly Lower Implementation Costs

anydeli Mobile Order & Pay eliminates the need for purchasing new ticket vending machines.

With support for cashless payments and dramatically reduced initial setup costs, the service is being adopted by both independent restaurants and multi-unit operators.

Actual Implementations

Currently, anydeli Mobile Order & Pay is deployed in the following ramen and noodle-focused establishments:

- Tomiki Seimen Kenkyujo Shinsaibashi - Tomiki Seimen Kenkyujo Sangenjaya - Tomiki Seimen Kenkyujo Fukai - Menya Tokishirazu Oimachi Main Store - Menya Tokishirazu Gakugei University Store - Dattan Soba Ko Yoshikawa - Misousousotsukanai - Nara Miwa Somen Wakon -wakon- - Men-dokoro Kiraku Tobu-Nerima Store - Tsukemen Shindo - Hualin Lanzhou Beef Noodles

*Details for each store can be found on Tabelog.

Future Outlook

With ongoing labor shortages and the acceleration of cashless adoption in the food service industry, improving operational efficiency and enhancing customer experience have become more critical than ever.

anydeli aims not merely to replace ticket vending machines, but to serve as an integrated store DX platform that unifies ordering, payment, and data utilization—supporting productivity improvements for ramen shops and other food service businesses.

"In ten years, what you'll see at the entrance of ramen shops won't be ticket machines, but customers' own smartphones."

anydeli is committed to making this new in-store experience a reality.

anydeli Co., Ltd.

One-stop ordering and payment via customers' smartphones.

anydeli Co., Ltd. is an IT company striving to become the next-generation standard in the food service industry.

Company Overview

Company Name: anydeli Co., Ltd.

Representative: CEO Mei Li Wu

Founded: September 2020

Headquarters: Shibuya Hikarie 33F, 2-21-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

URL: https://web.anydeli.co.jp/

Recent Media Appearances:

Featured on YouTube's 'Horie Mon Channel' (May 2024):

https://youtu.be/Wk-FADyM1Bk?si=qmvoGsmNnYmn4GCv