Artificial Intelligence has become a real game-changer for almost every niche where it is implemented. Advanced technology capable of automating and streamlining complex processes also found its place in the restaurant business as a voice assistant. Besides integrating voice AI in mobile apps, kiosks, drive-thrus, and drive-ins to ease food ordering, restaurants can also use this technology to improve the overall operations of the business.
From food recommendations, fast navigation, and reservations to kitchen optimization, tableside assistance, and support, an AI voice assistant is an indispensable tool for any establishment.
Moreover, voice ordering has become the number one option for almost 64% of Americans, according to data from Voicebot.ai. Even global industry giants such as Wingstop and Domino’s could not deny the benefits of AI voice ordering systems and use them on a daily basis.
Read on, and you will find out how voice assistants can increase the likelihood of return visits to restaurants. Check out real-life examples and five things that you should consider before implementing Al-assisted voice ordering at your restaurant.
But first things first. Let’s dig into the most useful AI voice functions and how they can benefit restaurant owners these days.
Benefits of implementing voice AI for restaurants
Restaurant voice assistant is cutting-edge software with voice recognition technology. The main task of AI algorithms is to make placing orders easier by using voice commands.
Thanks to the accurate and fast processing of human language, such programs can improve the work of not only one restaurant but also an entire chain. Let’s go deeper and take a closer look at the advantages of this AI-based software.
Read also: Embracing Digital Disruption with Voice Technology
Improved customer experience
AI voice assistants create new comfortable conditions for communication using Natural Language Processing as a main component of their functionality. Thanks to this capability, the algorithms perfectly understand any customer request and interpret human language in the right way.
Not to mention that this contactless method is easier for customers since the AI software takes orders in a conversational manner. Now, various tasks, such as answering customer queries, managing reservations, or processing orders, can be done with a deep focus on personalization.
However, the functionality of the advanced AI ordering system does not end there. Customers can also receive useful suggestions in view of their wishes, past orders, and even allergies.
Enhanced restaurant productivity
Many people ordered food online for the first time in 2019. However, the percentage of online orders continues to grow and will be approximately 27.5% in 2024. As a result, dining establishments will face even bigger challenges resulting from an overload in order management. This is where the AI ordering system comes to the rescue.
Voice ordering systems allow businesses to save workers from being overwhelmed due to repeating similar tasks or peak hours. Staff can shift the focus to guest satisfaction and deal with more important responsibilities, opening up new opportunities for company growth.
Profit boost & cost savings
A voice assistant helps save online buyers from long lines and hold times thus increasing a restaurant’s sales potential. Restaurant ordering systems can manage multiple orders from the phone system, website, application, and chatbot while being able to answer 24/7. Even restaurant chains and understaffed establishments can avoid missed calls and losing customers.
AI capabilities also lead to significant improvements in cost reduction on a global scale thanks to minimizing manual errors. Plus, a tracking order feature helps find patterns in daily orders and improve inventory management while reducing the costs of possible waste.
Use cases of AI voice technology for restaurants
It’s time to move on from words to deeds. Let’s look at how AI technology can offer each customer a unique experience and improve the atmosphere of the entire establishment with the next real-life use cases.
1. Menu navigation & recommendations
With the aid of voice commands, users can navigate through the restaurant menu more efficiently. The voice AI system also saves customer orders, which enables it to provide useful recommendations, taking into account the preferences, allergies, and other essential aspects of a customer.
2. Ordering & reservation
AI algorithms are designed to relieve staff by taking orders and reservations. As a result, the probability of losing customers due to a long wait time or an error in the order is significantly reduced.
3. Kitchen optimization
Chefs can receive information about orders through kitchen systems powered by AI in no time, increasing the speed of cooking and reducing possible errors. Additional options like inventory management, recipe search, and other kitchen operations controlled by voice commands also play a big role in improving staff productivity.
4. Takeout ordering
Voice assistant technology can be integrated into a restaurant’s drive-thru intercom system, website, or application to create a better takeout experience. QSRs that use AI ordering systems will be able to reduce wait time, decrease queues during peak hours, and increase order accuracy.
5. Tableside assistance
Voice assistant technology can also be useful to improve the customer experience at the table in a restaurant setting. Customers can access AI-powered devices to get information about their order, make a payment, or perform other additional actions without the help of waiters.
6. Support
Thanks to the multi-language support, the AI system with voice technology can interact with customers from different regions, improving the work not only of one restaurant but also of an entire chain. In addition to clear communication, the voice assistant is ready to operate 24/7.
7. Feedback & customer service
Fast and convenient options of the AI system allow restaurants to collect verbal feedback, increasing customer involvement and enhancing the overall restaurant service. AI is also able to provide all the necessary information about the menu and delivery as well as answer other customer inquiries.
Do you want your restaurant to benefit from voice AI?
If you are looking to integrate voice technology into an application, or to enhance your restaurant processes with voice tech, we at Eastern Peak we are ready to give you a helping hand. Contact us now for a free consultation!
Where to integrate voice AI in the restaurant business
Proper implementation of AI voice technology into the daily work life of a restaurant is a must for businesses to achieve all of the above benefits. If your company integrates a voice assistant in most of the platforms and devices listed below, an AI system will revolutionize the work system.
Mobile apps
Voice assistants are considered to be the most effective in mobile apps as they make navigating menus and typing text by voice much easier. Thus, customers can quickly carry out various operations:
- search for food and other items,
- make table reservations,
- examine menu prices and discounts, and
- get answers to frequently asked questions.
Websites
Most often, voice Artificial Intelligence technology is presented in the form of a chatbot when it comes to website integration. Algorithms can be programmed to remember customer preferences:
- suitable menu suggestions,
- restaurant services,
- new positions on the menu, and
- other up-to-date information about the restaurant.
A website with an AI assistant is especially convenient for processing online orders from new visitors.
Kiosks & displays
If your organization is faced with huge queues and has challenges in promoting new offers, then in-house kiosks and displays with voice assistants would be a great option. Such voice AI-based ordering solutions will help with the following:
- reduce workload,
- speed up order processing,
- suggest payment options, and
- provide quick feedback options about the service.
Phone systems
Voice AI can be used to handle calls. It will quickly provide advice and assistance, taking into account the customer’s inquiries:
- information about the order,
- special promotions,
- expected delivery time,
- payment options,
- operating hours,
- reservation availability, and
- location and contact details.
This technology can significantly reduce hold times and increase the satisfaction of the restaurant’s service.
POS systems
Integrating AI voice technology with the POS system will help restaurants not only collect data from other devices but also eliminate errors when orders are being placed. The program will also synchronize updates with other systems in real-time on information:
- order processing stages,
- reservation status,
- menu changes, and
- special offers.
As a result, businesses can avoid order cancellations and help kitchen staff process orders faster.
Smart devices & speakers
AI is perfectly compatible with devices such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home. Using familiar commands, customers can easily interact with voice assistants:
- order food,
- find out what’s new in the restaurant, and
- receive additional offers.
Examples of AI-based voice ordering systems for restaurants
AI voice ordering systems have become effective and powerful tools for many restaurants since 2020. Step by step, voice assistants have been gaining an enormous amount of attention from leading companies like Domino’s, Wendy’s, and Wingstop.
Today, guests of these restaurants cannot imagine ordering food without AI voice technology, and you will find out why below.
Domino’s Pizza
Domino’s is the world’s largest pizza restaurant chain, surpassing Pizza Hut in sales over the past five years. To stay ahead of competitors and avoid labor shortages, the company added pizza-making robots and voice-ordering systems called DOM.
After the start of the voice AI program in 2014, Domino’s has gradually integrated this technology into other platforms like phone systems and Google Assistant. In addition to the usual functions of taking orders for carryout or delivery, Dom is also capable of making recommendations to improve the taste of dishes and offering deals or coupons.
Wingstop
The company, which has existed for 30 years and opened 1,500 restaurants worldwide, added a voice-activated ordering feature with the help of Amazon Alexa back in 2017. But Wingstop decided to take it a step further. At present, the restaurant chain benefits from the new voice AI-powered virtual assistant to handle phone orders in English and Spanish.
AI functions allowed this company to speed up work during peak hours and deliver personalized upselling offers. New voice technology has provided breakthrough solutions that help Wingstop to remain in the top 25 U.S. franchises in Entrepreneur’s 44th Franchise 500 ranking.
Wendy’s
FreshAI technology launched as a pilot in June of 2023 and has become an essential feature of Wendy’s. The AI platform is aimed at communicating with customers who choose drive-thru ordering. By combining voice AI with a visual order display, Wendy’s can handle up to 80% of all restaurant visitors.
Automating drive-thru ordering keeps Wendy’s operations running smoothly by providing quick responses and formulating accurate orders. In the future, the owners plan to integrate AI in the app, in-restaurant kiosks, mobile devices, smart home devices, and other platforms.
To-do list before integrating voice AI into your restaurant
Once you’ve decided that your restaurant requires a voice ordering system, it is time to prepare for its implementation, and our to-do list will help you with this challenge.
Our short guide will help you unlock the full potential of AI technology while minimizing future problems and maximizing the benefits of the system.
1. Highlight restaurant areas that need improvement
The first step of proper preparation for implementing AI in your restaurant is to ask yourself the question — What in my business needs automation, and what operations can be complemented by AI voice technology?
The answers you receive will help you identify weaknesses in your establishment’s operations and take timely measures to eliminate them. Also, consider the next factors that have a significant impact on competitiveness and customers’ dining experience:
- Customer service: To improve the quality of service, you can use AI features to speed up the process of taking orders and responding to customer queries, providing the opportunity for quick feedback.
- Order and reservation management: If your business is faced with a high number of orders and reservations, then AI voice technology can help streamline these processes and reduce wait times.
- Kitchen efficiency: By automating certain tasks in the kitchen with the help of AI software, the kitchen can operate more efficiently.
2. Partner with a software development company
Once you start searching for an AI software development company, you will run into a question — “Should I get a standard solution or a custom one?” At this stage, we recommend paying attention to the custom AI voice assistant since such software has huge advantages:
- Uniqueness: Custom-built AI voice assistants will be specifically tailored to your restaurant’s needs.
- Flexibility: Your establishment will have full control over the functionality, interface, and other vital aspects of the future software.
- Cost-effectiveness: Over time, You can easily adapt the AI voice ordering system to changes in your business without additional costs on support, updating, or replacing existing solutions.
3. Prepare for new work conditions
The time will come when you will need to introduce your new AI voice ordering system to your personnel. The success of AI implementation depends on the managers’ active participation in staff training. You can help employees adapt to the new technology by providing AI system best practices training:
- order customization,
- menu navigation, and
- order modification and cancellation.
Once your employees have mastered popular commands for interacting with the freshly developed AI system, placing orders, and other important processes, they can help your customers use this voice technology properly.
4. Customize the AI ordering system
Besides menu items, delivery information, payment options, and loyalty programs, consider adding other features to highlight your restaurant’s brand and style in your brand-new AI system. For example, you can modify the voice commands in view of your restaurant’s terminology during the development of an AI voice assistant.
On the other hand, you can also ask a software development company to add promotional materials, specials, and limited-time offers to your AI platform in order to improve sales. Don’t forget to customize your system to seasonal menu changes and adjust the voice recognition according to regional accents and their variations.
5. Ensure software security
Last but not least is the security factor, which is the biggest challenge in today’s digital world. Before you start building AI software, you need to decide with your development company what security measures will be required for your solution. The company has to create a system with high security in order to prevent any breach of confidentiality.
Quality-oriented software development companies use modern methods of encryption and protection of information from unauthorized access to ensure proper data security. In addition, your system must comply with data protection regulations and notify users about the collection, storage, and use of their private information.
Voice AI as a new opportunity for business growth
Achievements in the area of Artificial Intelligence have led to significant improvements in the quality of speech recognition over recent years. AI voice technology has found its place in the everyday lives of many people thanks to smartphones and smart home devices. Nowadays, voice AI-based solutions are gaining more and more popularity in the restaurant industry.
Many giants of the foodservice industry are taking advantage of this advanced technology to unlock the full potential of their business. From simple automation of placing orders and avoiding mistakes to increased restaurant turnover and profits, voice assistance is becoming a true game changing agent for business growth.
Meanwhile, the Global AI in the food and beverages market size continues to gain new momentum. In 2026, it is expected to reach $29.45 billion, while back in 2020, it was valued at $3.07 billion. It would be fair enough to say that more restaurants will give preference to this cutting-edge solution in the future. In turn, AI algorithms will improve over time, which will lead to the irreplaceability of voice technology in one way or another.
Still in search of powerful AI solutions? Having vast experience in developing software solutions for restaurant businesses, we at Eastern Peak can help improve your restaurant ordering system with AI voice technology. Book a free consultation to discuss the first steps of building a solution that will align with your business needs.
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About the author:
Alexey Shalimov, CEO at Eastern Peak
As CEO at Eastern Peak, a professional software consulting and development company, Alexey ensures top quality and cost-effective services to clients from all over the world. Alexey is also a founder and technology evangelist at several technology companies. Previously, as a CEO of the Gett (GetTaxi) technology company, Alexey was in charge of developing the revolutionary Gett service from ground up and deploying the operation across the globe from New York to London and Tel Aviv.
