Restaurants are making use of AI in everything

Restaurants are using artificial intelligence to simplify processes and produce everything from menu concepts to marketing material as they search for ways to improve their processes and reduce the burden of employees.

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Restaurants continue to build their rosters following the outbreak and the outbreak, many are struggling to fill all the vacant posts and it is reported that the National Restaurant Association recently noted that there’s just “one job seeker for every two open jobs.” Artificial Intelligence provides ways to improve the work performed by employees currently employed which allows them to accomplish more work while utilizing a smaller workforce. A majority of operators say the use of technology and automation will increase their use in their sector in the coming year, as per NRA’s 2023 State of the Restaurant Industry report.

Here’s a look at how restaurants are making use of AI to use.

Voice AI responds to calls (and also takes orders)

Numerous restaurants are experimenting with the use of AI voice to accept orders from customers in the drive-thru, on the phone, or even at in-store kiosks.

Carl’s Jr. as well as Hardee’s parent firm CKE Restaurants is working with technology businesses Presto, OpenCity and Valyant AI to offer voice-ordering, CNBC reported. The voice-ordering software inputs customer’s orders in the system, but allowing employees to listen to the conversations of customers in the drive-through. The tests of the technology have exceeded expectations of the company in terms of the frequency at which employees have to intervene and the capability that the system has to increase sales for customers, CKE’s chief technology officer, Phil Crawford, said. The company plans to bring this technology across all of its locations across the nation.

Wingstop revealed earlier in the year that it’s trying out the AI voice assistant developed by ConverseNow to take phone orders. The software, specifically designed to stop lost calls and make phone orders exactly the same way as online purchases, will accept orders in English as well as Spanish, Chain Store Age said.

The plant-based burger concept PLNT Burger is attempting to incorporate voice AI into its business through kiosks in stores that will eventually let customers place orders and pay for their orders using their voice. The company is collaborating in partnership with Yobe along with SoundHound to further refine the technology’s capability to comprehend human language Co-founder and CEO Ben Kaplan told Kiosk Marketplace.

The ability to improve your marketing strategy through AI

AI is rapidly gaining popularity as a market tool that allows brands to quickly create content for a variety of platforms. As more businesses adopt the AI-generated content method, it will become more important to combine the technology with the personal touch of a human to guarantee that that messaging is genuine and original instead of cookie-cutter.

“ChatGPT is helping people write more and more content, but that’s going to mean lots of generic content,” PopMenu co-founder and CEO Brendan Sweeney said during an event during the National Restaurant Association Show in May.

The company has recently launched an application that helps restaurants automate digital marketing by studying details about the menu and other events, as well as the data of customers to generate the marketing content that is later improved by humans. Kat Johnson, director of marketing and communications at Chai Pani Restaurant Group, said the tool helps streamline the strategy for marketing and lets her “focus more on the storytelling side of things.”

Alongside adjusting marketing messages based on what restaurant owners know about their client base, The automated marketing software may take into account external factors like weather. Dunkin’ recently announced a partnership with the marketing tech firm HubKonnect which will automatically display messages promoting hot drinks during the coldest day, for instance.

“If there’s going to be a heat wave, what if there’s a special or a digital offer that can be sent to, ‘Buy this, get this?'” HubKonnect co-founder and CEO spoke to PYMNTS. “So, it’s really being reactive.”

Utilizing technology to connect with employees

Making use of AI to automate a variety of jobs can help restaurants achieve more in less time, however recruitment and retention remain the top priorities for a lot of operators. AI provides solutions to these issues with chatbots, for example, that can guide potential employees through the various stages of the hiring process and connect them with possible job openings.