From Legacy to AI: How Akshay Agarwal Is Shaping The Future of Restaurant Industry with Next-Generation Technology

But when I searched for the best steak sandwich in London, the top result is from Reddit, including a thread from four days ago titled “Which Angus Steakhouse do you recommend for their steak sandwich?. ” and one from two days ago titled “Had to see what all the hype was about, best steak sandwich I’ve ever had!. You can foun additiona information about ai customer service and artificial intelligence and NLP. While AI streamlines processes, it should never overshadow the human touch when it comes to showcasing culture.

Addressing concerns about AI replacing human jobs, Yum! Brands Chief Innovation Officer Lawrence Kim stated that the technology is intended to “enhance the team member experience” by allowing them to focus on other tasks, rather than eliminating their roles. Despite the optimistic outlook presented by both companies, the widespread adoption of AI in drive-thrus remains an evolving landscape. While some brands have reported successes with AI-powered drive-thru systems, others, like McDonald’s, have recently concluded trials with AI vendors, opting to explore alternative solutions.

While customer loyalty has always been essential in the restaurant industry, today it is a particularly precious commodity. The Pareto Principle, which emphasizes the frequency of an 80/20 distribution, shows that 80% of a company’s profits come from just 20% of its guests. According to Bain & Company research, a 5% increase in customer retention can increase profits by up to 75%. Through these AI ads, participating restaurant partners are actively engaging with their customers by promoting relatable content to enhance promotional efforts during the IPL season. On Sunday, Justine Moore, a partner at the Silicon Valley venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, tweeted about a curious discovery.

While the U.S. is its fastest-growing market, Momos has a presence in North America, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East, with plans to expand into new markets like South Korea and Saudi Arabia. Chipotle Mexican Grill has expanded its investment strategy by committing funds to Lumachain, an AI supply chain platform, and Brassica, a Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant. This move reflects the company’s ongoing mission to enhance sustainability and growth. As the QSR industry increasingly adopts AI-enabled voice technology, the positive experiences reported by early users can play a crucial role in driving broader acceptance and satisfaction. Even though widespread adoption across the industry still needs to be achieved, the feedback from those who have used AI voice technology is very encouraging. This suggests that when people do try it, they tend to like it, which is a very promising signal for the future of AI in drive-thrus.

This can lead to quicker service, enhance the overall dining experience, and foster a connection between the diner and the restaurant, encouraging repeat visits and increasing average order value. Cart recommendations for “always on” upselling 

Rather than picking up phones, diners largely order pick-up or delivery digitally, making AI-powered cart recommendations is crucial for time-strapped restaurant operators and consumers alike. By leveraging predictive analytics, AI can analyze past purchases and trending items to suggest additional dishes or drinks.

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By identifying strengths, weaknesses, and specific topics mentioned in reviews, MARA AI provides valuable insights that can drive data-informed decisions to enhance products or services. Innovative AI technology designed to review and analyze credit card statements uncovers hidden processing and merchant fees within these statements, showing restauranteurs where they could be saving money when processing cards. Leveraging AI tools to audit monthly credit card statements is a tool restaurant operators can use to improve their financial health for long-term success. Restaurateurs can leverage AI technology to analyze financial data and identify potential cost-saving opportunities. For example, AI can audit monthly credit card statements in seconds – a job that can take restaurant owners between three and 21 days depending on the size of the business.

Labor advocates have raised concerns about potential job displacement, and even industry leaders acknowledge the need for careful implementation. Despite these concerns, Yum! Brands remains committed to its “AI-first mentality,” with AI already playing a role in its restaurant management SuperApp. The company is also testing AI technology in five KFC locations in Australia, demonstrating a broader commitment to exploring AI’s potential across its portfolio of brands. The goal for these companies is to automate order-taking, potentially reducing the need for human employees or allowing staff to focus on other tasks. However, concerns about order accuracy and customer satisfaction have raised questions about whether the technology is ready for widespread adoption.

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AI is not merely a trend but a transformative force that can redefine the dining experience. Embracing these technological innovations can help restaurants not only stay competitive but also thrive in a rapidly evolving market. AUTHOR BIO

Steve is the President, Co-founder, and a Director of Toast, where he leads product and innovation initiatives. Prior to Toast, he was involved in a number of entrepreneurial endeavors, including competing with Facebook while it was still a project out of a Harvard dorm room, and being an early pioneer in iPhone app development. He was also an “intrapreneur” at Endeca, helping to lead the Special Operations team that was instrumental in launching Endeca’s business intelligence platform and founding the Endeca mobile commerce business.

The restaurant industry is facing mounting pressure to meet the demands of digital-savvy customers, and Checkmate’s platform empowers businesses to launch unique ordering experiences, recapture lost revenue, and adapt to evolving market trends. The company’s solutions offer a high degree of customization and adaptability, ensuring restaurants are equipped to handle the complexities of the modern digital ordering landscape. VOICEplug AI is an innovative platform that seamlessly integrates with existing communication systems to provide customers with a natural voice conversation and command experience. This versatile solution works across various channels, including phone systems, call centers, drive-thrus, and online ordering platforms. By harnessing the power of advanced artificial intelligence and natural language processing, VOICEplug AI enables businesses to automate and optimize customer interactions, leading to reduced costs, increased efficiency, and improved customer satisfaction. PolyAI, a pioneer in voice AI solutions for customer experience and service, today announced a partnership with OpenTable, a global leader in restaurant technology, expanding PolyAI’s guest-led voice assistants to enterprise restaurants.

Brand building is essential to establishing yourself as a business and creating a reliable customer base in the hospitality industry. With the majority of people using Google to find your restaurant, all your work to develop a brand identity restaurant chatbot must be shared online as well as when people are dining with you. Wendy’s faced backlash earlier this year after announcing plans to introduce dynamic pricing on its new digital menu boards, which was originally set to debut in 2025.

Despite some reservations, especially among older adults, AI-enabled video technology has great potential to improve the drive-thru experience. Whatever McDonald’s does with drive-thru AI, that’s only part of the story when it comes to its efforts to automate previously ChatGPT App human-performed tasks. The company also offers things like mobile ordering and in-store kiosks and has tested drone deliveries, kitchen robots, and weird AI hiring tools. A potential option could involve the company’s vague announcement of a Google deal in December.

Inside Wendy’s drive-thru AI that makes ordering fast food even faster

The data showed that the adoption of AI-enabled voice technology in drive-thru order-taking is still relatively low. Only 19 percent of the consumers surveyed have experienced this technology while placing their orders, and as highlighted by the McDonald’s case, this technology is still very much in the testing phase. When asked how consumers felt about AI-enabled voice technology to automate drive-thru order-taking, 45 percent of respondents reported “not liking the idea of it.”

Barnett reports the voice assistant is popular with Melting Pot team members and guests alike, and that the ability to fully book, change or cancel a reservation through an integration with OpenTable has been seamless. Barnett anticipates wider spread adoption of the platform in the coming weeks and months among Melting Pot’s 90+ locations. Generative AI has made headlines for disrupting the white-collar workplace, but exciting new technologies can have an equally transformative impact on restaurant and food service settings. Should restaurants fail to comply with these requirements, they can face severe legal and financial consequences, not to mention serious harm to their reputation.

After people began complaining that Google’s search quality had degraded, it became increasingly common for people to add “Reddit” to their Google searches. In February of this year, Google struck a $60 million licensing deal with Reddit, in which Reddit would allow Google to use its content to train its AI algorithm. Now, in an apparent effort to manipulate Google’s search results, Redditors seem to be degrading the content quality of their own platform. Roedding noted that another unique feature of the Rewards Network platform that measures the interaction between restaurant and member is the verified review capability.

North America-based fondue restaurant Melting Pot is an early adopter in leveraging this partnership. With PolyAI voice assistants rolling out to locations in Indiana, New Jersey and New York and many other restaurants in the implementation stage, the appeal of quick scale is evident. This article explores the top AI tools specifically designed for restaurants, each offering unique features to address various aspects of restaurant management and service delivery. Whether you’re a small local eatery or a large chain, these innovative solutions can help you stay ahead of the curve and optimize your business performance. According to some of the founders of AI voice host startups, many customers do, and for various reasons. Sambvani estimates that in-demand establishments receive between 800 and 1,000 calls per month.

Future – Predictive analytics algorithms could be used to predict future trends and events which, in turn, will help the restaurants to forecast the future inventory needs. AI algorithm could be trained on past data of including the customers purchasing style, events, most preferred food category, seasonal requirements, thus forecasting a restaurant’s need accurately. Michael Seaman is the co-founder and CEO of Swipesum, a comprehensive payment processing and merchant services consultancy delivering innovative auditing solutions ChatGPT to businesses nationwide. Michael and his brother, Stephen, founded Swipesum in 2016 to serve as Chief Payments Officer for businesses nationwide, combining industry knowledge, AI and proprietary software to create a transparent payments strategy that optimizes payment processing fees. “They have delivered affordable cutting-edge AI with scancode level simplicity. The solution supports language translations and creates complex Chef Ideas for new menu and drink items.” noted Owner & Executive Chef Don Doty Cibo Vino.

This cutting-edge tool generates personalized, human-like responses across multiple review platforms, including Google, Booking.com, and Tripadvisor. By automating this time-consuming task, MARA AI enables restaurants to maintain a high response rate, demonstrating attentiveness to customer feedback and improving overall online reputation. Present – Real-time monitoring capabilities of AI help businesses to quickly recognize and address issues as they arise. AI systems can be implemented to appropriately size recipes and automate menu item rotation both helping in utilising excess ingredients used. A McKinsey study shows that 71% of consumers expect companies to deliver personalized interactions today, and data-driven POS insights allow restaurants to tailor their marketing efforts, offering targeted rewards that meet that demand.

Again, at this point the Angus Steakhouse hype doesn’t appear to have made it into AI Overview. This is also far from the first time that online users, including on platforms outside of Reddit, have publicly declared plans to make inaccurate or misleading posts in an effort to thwart AI scrapers. Apparently, some London residents are getting fed up with social media influencers whose reviews make long lines of tourists at their favorite restaurants, sometimes just for the likes. Christian Calgie, a reporter for London-based news publication Daily Express, pointed out this trend on X yesterday, noting the boom of Redditors referring people to Angus Steakhouse, a chain restaurant, to combat it.

Scheduling the right number of staff for each shift enhances operational efficiency and productivity, leading to smoother operations, happier employees, and more satisfied customers. Restaurants are increasingly harnessing AI technology to boost efficiencies and reduce costs. While there are a host of compelling use cases for AI in the restaurant industry, many restaurant operators today are leveraging AI to transform back-of-house operations. With its expanding product portfolio, strategic acquisitions, and new funding, Checkmate is well-positioned for continued growth in the coming years. As the restaurant industry continues to embrace digital transformation, Checkmate is poised to be a driving force in shaping the future of dining. Checkmate’s recent acquisitions of VoiceBite, a voice AI company, and Open Tender, a kiosk technology provider, further highlight the company’s commitment to building a comprehensive suite of solutions.

The minority female-founded company has developed a traceability solution that, in real-time, tracks the origin, location, and condition of individual items in a supply chain, from farm to table, enabling reduced waste and increased efficiency. Lumachain’s traceability platform is complemented by its Computer Vision AI platform that monitors operations inside food production plants, to improve quality, efficiency and safety. AI voice ordering systems and other AI technologies will be part of the future of restaurants. As demographic preferences evolve, brands must adopt a strategic approach to successfully integrate these innovations and deliver enjoyable experiences.

Instead, the company claims the digital menus will be used to offer discounts and value promotions, particularly during slower periods. With expert systems AI present in the WFM platform, managers can automatically generate schedules that balance employees’ needs and incorporate complex compliance parameters. These decision-making algorithms account not only for staffing times and locations but also for specific roles and stations within the restaurant, which keeps minor employees from using equipment or handling materials they aren’t legally authorized to work with. Drive-thrus are an area of the business that everyone has been trying to figure out, across the industry, to make it better for consumers.

Livers believes in the power of data and is committed to empowering her clients to bring the voice of the customer into the boardroom. She  has held a number of senior executive positions including CEO, President, and EVP with market research firms, and has managed seven of the top ten QSR chains’ national mystery shopping programs, including McDonald’s. In the fast-paced world of fast food, integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a topic of heated discussion, especially with giant brands adopting (…or, ahem, dropping) this new technology to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.

ConverseNow’s cutting-edge voice AI technology allows restaurant guests to place orders and have their queries answered using natural human speech, making the ordering process more efficient and customer-friendly. While these technological advancements hold promise for improving efficiency and customer experience, the QSR industry faces several challenges in implementing and scaling these solutions. Integrating new technologies into existing systems can be complex and require significant investment in infrastructure and training. Collecting and utilizing customer data raises concerns about data security and privacy, requiring robust safeguards and transparent policies. Introducing automation and AI-powered solutions may require significant employee training and could face resistance from staff concerned about job displacement.

Networking is also crucial; I connect with industry professionals at conferences and meetups, which allows me to exchange ideas and gain fresh perspectives. Additionally, I engage in hands-on projects and contribute to open-source initiatives, providing practical experience with new tools and technologies. Meanwhile, Zomato’s rival Swiggy partnered with Spyne.ai to provide AI-backed photoshoot features to its restaurant partners. The IPO-bound company was also piloting an AI chatbot named ‘neural search’ that offers personalised recommendations for a user’s open-ended and conversational queries. McDonald’s spokesperson confirmed the decision to Business Insider, noting that the technology was introduced to customers in 2021 following a global partnership with IBM.

Locations that opt in will be able to take reservations over the phone, answer questions, gain visibility in customer trends, and deliver on-brand experiences – all while alleviating staff time and resources. XtraCHEF is a comprehensive, cloud-based restaurant management platform designed to empower finance and operations teams in the foodservice industry. By digitizing invoices and automating manual processes, xtraCHEF unlocks valuable data and insights that drive informed decision-making across various aspects of restaurant management. From recipe and inventory management to strategic purchasing and vendor negotiations, the platform provides a holistic solution for optimizing restaurant operations. AI is also a great tool to help restauranteurs develop content tailored to their business.

The other areas where we are deploying AI is when you think about suggestive selling. As part of our order-taking experience, we want to make sure any products we offer the customer make sense not just with the order they’ve made but to them as a consumer generally. Taco Bell, Checkers, and Carl’s Jr. are among the fast-food chains experimenting with drive-thru AI, a strong indication the industry sees potential productivity gains—and likely cost savings—if the technology is deployed successfully. But McDonald’s ditched the technology earlier this year and Wendy’s rollout is fairly judicious, given that the company and its franchisees operate over 7,000 restaurants globally.

That changed after he moved away from home to study electrical and computer engineering at the University of Oklahoma. “I got my first taste of Wendy’s and have been enjoying [it] ever since,” says Spessard, who joined Wendy’s in 2020 as vice president of restaurant technology and has served as chief information officer since February. Modern Restaurant Management would like to store your above information when you create an account. We will not share this information with third parties and you can delete your information from our system at any time. Not only are you sharing the space with all the people who actually live in the city, but, more often than not, you’re also sharing it with the incessant influx of people who are visiting and who want to enjoy all the best that your metropolis has to offer.

You put so much effort and time into creating a brand experience in your restaurant that it only makes sense to extend this to your online presence. This new function highlights how essential it is that business owners keep their information updated on Google and other sites so that they can be discovered by searchers for the right terms. If your offerings, opening times or locations are inaccurate, Google’s new features could mean you lose search visibility with people whose specific search queries suggest they’re highly likely to become customers. Chipotle’s stock performance, with shares rising 2.7% over the past three months and 30% since the start of the year, indicates investor confidence in its long-term strategy. By embracing automation, enhancing supply chain visibility, and exploring new culinary concepts, Chipotle aims to solidify its position as a leader in the fast-casual restaurant industry and position itself for continued growth and success. “As a restaurant business, we use AI to go faster and to develop the business further,” Annick Van Overstraeten, CEO of Le Pain Quotidien, told Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine.

Offering customers the choice to opt in or opt out of AI-driven services can also help bridge the comfort gap, allowing consumers to experience AI at their own pace. If so, we invite you to review our editorial guidelines and submit your article for publishing consideration. Klinger commented that AI can use data from intelligent cameras and Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to monitor equipment, automatically triggering action when detecting a change in performance or unusual activity. AI can adjust cooler or refrigerator temperature settings, alert a manager to an issue in the drive-thru, or open a maintenance ticket. AI can provide the decision-making capabilities behind robotics operations, which deliver food more quickly and work with employees to increase their productivity.

The team had previously managed thousands of businesses at UberEats and GrabFood, and found that existing solutions could not help brands manage their customers seamlessly across multiple locations. In particular, the Momos team saw the opportunity that AI presented, and partnered with OpenAI from its inception, starting as a member of the GPT-3 beta program. Lumachain, based in Sydney, Australia, enhances food production through real-time traceability and computer vision technology, improving safety and efficiency. Meanwhile, Brassica, founded in 2015 in Columbus, Ohio, focuses on customizable Eastern Mediterranean dishes using locally sourced ingredients.

• This includes automation, digitization, and data-driven optimization, all of which are already starting to shape the future of the industry.
• Restaurants might do happy hour, but you could do more data-driven strategies to drive more demand.
• The technology can rapidly surface data and identify and analyze patterns related to customer habits and preferences, track sales trends, forecast demand for ingredients, and identify operational bottlenecks.
• A potential option could involve the company’s vague announcement of a Google deal in December.
• ConverseNow’s cutting-edge voice AI technology allows restaurant guests to place orders and have their queries answered using natural human speech, making the ordering process more efficient and customer-friendly.

Lumachain, founded in 2019 by Jamila Gordon, a former CIO of Qantas Airways, isn’t just another supply chain tracking solution. It utilizes computer vision-based AI to go beyond simply tracking the origin and location of items. Lumachain’s technology captures real-time data on the condition of items throughout the supply chain, providing a comprehensive view from farm to table.

Several years ago, we announced our partnership with Google, and we’ve collaborated with them on a number of fronts. They are our cloud provider, in addition to co-developing these FreshAI capabilities, and we also partner with them in the data and analytics space. And I would say that Google demonstrated a lot of interest in understanding our business and how it worked. Still, McDonald’s signalled that the aborted trial would not be the end of its experiments with AI, saying that “our work with IBM has given us the confidence that a voice ordering solution for [drive-through] will be part of our restaurants’ future”. The fast food giant said it had decided to retire the AI-powered voice-ordering system, launched in partnership with IBM in 2021, after a “thoughtful review”. With Artificial Intelligence (AI) impacting every industry, AI has also opened new opportunities for restaurants to reduce their food waste and contribute to environmental sustainability.

They touch every aspect of the business, showing equal and individualized compassion for all staff and customers which round out the profile of a superior manager that tailors their approach to nurture staff to be future leaders. The restaurant and hospitality industry has never before relied heavily on technology. From the earliest days of manual operations to the current digital landscape for restaurants is changing rapidly, with new technologies and consumer preferences reshaping the industry. Restaurant owners are awestruck with the power of technology and we at Fourth, are excited to invest in it. Whether Taco Bell’s AI drive-thrus will succeed where McDonald’s faltered remains to be seen.