July 16, 2024
AI phone ordering can boost profits for quick-service restaurants (QSRs) by:
Key benefits of AI phone ordering:
BenefitImpactFewer errorsHappier customers, less wasteFaster serviceMore sales, satisfied customersLower labor costsIncreased profitsBetter experienceHigher customer retentionMulti-order handlingImproved efficiency in peak hoursConsistent upsellingHigher average order value
To implement AI phone ordering successfully:
Track success by monitoring:
Keep improving by:
QSRs face several problems with their current ordering systems. These issues can upset customers, lower sales, and cut into profits. Let's look at the main problems:
Customers don't like to wait long for their food. A poll shows:
Customer BehaviorPercentageSwitched restaurants due to wait times36%Expect food within 2-3 minutes27%Expect food within 5 minutes or less42%
Meeting these expectations is hard, especially during busy times when staff take orders by hand.
Taking orders by hand can lead to mistakes. Errors can happen when:
These mix-ups waste food, cost extra money, and make customers unhappy. Some restaurants make more mistakes than others.
Hiring people to take orders costs a lot. QSRs spend money on:
These costs eat into profits and leave less money for other things like ads or new menu items.
When staff take orders, they might not always:
This means QSRs miss chances to sell more and make customers happier.
AI phone ordering lets customers place orders by talking to a computer program. This system uses AI to:
AI phone ordering systems have these key features:
FeatureDescriptionVoice UnderstandingCan understand normal speechPOS IntegrationWorks with existing checkout systemsSmart UpsellingSuggests extra items to buy
Here's how AI ordering compares to regular methods:
AspectAI OrderingRegular OrderingSpeedFasterSlowerAccuracyFewer mistakesMore prone to errorsCustomer ExperienceMore interactiveLess personalized
AI ordering can:
AI phone ordering in QSRs brings many benefits that can boost profits and make customers happier.
AI systems make fewer mistakes when taking orders. This means:
AI can handle orders faster than people, especially when it's busy. This leads to:
Using AI for phone orders can cut down on staff expenses:
BenefitHow It HelpsLess need for order-takersMore money saved on wagesStaff can focus on other tasksBetter use of workers' timeHandle more orders with fewer peopleImproved efficiency
AI can make ordering more pleasant for customers:
AI can take many orders at the same time without getting confused. This helps during busy times when lots of people are calling to order.
AI always remembers to suggest extra items:
BenefitResultConsistent upsellingMore items sold per orderPersonalized suggestionsCustomers more likely to buy extrasNo forgotten promotionsHigher average order value
While AI phone ordering can help QSRs, it also comes with some problems. Here are the main issues:
Setting up AI phone ordering costs a lot at first. QSRs need to buy:
This can be hard for small restaurants with less money.
It's not easy to make AI work with the systems QSRs already use. This includes:
Fixing this can be hard and take a long time.
Staff need to learn how to use the new AI system. This can be tough because:
Some customers might not want to use AI ordering. They might:
QSRs need to show customers why AI ordering is good and help them use it.
ChallengeWhy It's HardHow to Fix ItHigh costsExpensive to startPlan budget, look for dealsSystem linksHard to connect with old toolsGet tech help, update slowlyStaff trainingTakes time, costs moneyMake easy guides, train bit by bitCustomer useSome people don't like changeShow benefits, give help and rewards
Here are some key tips to help you set up AI phone ordering in your QSR:
When choosing an AI phone ordering system, look at:
FactorWhat to ConsiderGrowthCan it handle more orders as you grow?LinkingDoes it work with your current systems?ChangesCan you change the menu and how orders work?PriceHow much does it cost to buy, set up, and run?
To make sure the new AI system works well with what you have:
Help your staff learn the new AI system:
To get customers to use the AI phone ordering:
MethodHow It HelpsTell them why it's goodCustomers understand the benefitsGive rewardsCustomers want to try itMake it easy to findCustomers can use it on your website or app
To make sure AI phone ordering works well in your QSR, you need to check some key numbers. This part will talk about what to look at and why.
AI phone ordering should cut down on wrong orders. To see if it's working:
AI might help customers buy more. To check:
It's important to know if customers like the new system. To find out:
AI can help you spend less on staff. To see how much:
The main goal is to make more money. To check if AI is helping:
What to CheckHow to Check ItWhat It Tells YouOrder AccuracyCount right orders vs. all ordersIf AI is cutting down mistakesAverage Order SizeTotal money / Number of ordersIf people are buying moreCustomer HappinessAsk customers what they thinkIf people like using AIStaff Cost SavingsCompare staff hours before and after AIHow much money you're savingOverall ProfitLook at money in vs. money outIf AI is helping you make more money
Here are some ways to get more out of your AI phone ordering system:
Use customer data to make ordering better for each person. This can help:
What to DoHow It HelpsSuggest items based on past ordersCustomers find things they like fasterGive rewards to regular customersPeople want to order more oftenOffer special deals during busy timesMore sales when you need them
Look at what people order to make your menu better:
This helps you:
Use what you know about customers to make better ads:
StepResultGroup customers by what they likeAds that fit each groupMake special deals for different groupsMore people use the dealsSpend money on ads that work bestGet more customers for less money
Keep your AI system up to date:
Doing this helps you:
AI phone ordering in QSRs can help in many ways:
BenefitHow It HelpsFewer order mistakesHappier customers, less wasteShorter wait timesMore sales, pleased customersLower staff costsMore money savedBetter customer experiencePeople enjoy ordering moreHandle many orders at onceHelps during busy timesSteady add-on salesMore items sold per order
By using these good points, QSRs can make more money and do better than other restaurants.
AI in restaurants will keep getting better. Here's what we might see:
AI UseWhat It MeansPersonal customer talksOrders fit each person betterBetter menusFood people want moreSmart data useHelps make good choices
As AI gets smarter, it can help restaurants in more ways:
We'll likely see restaurants using AI to do their work better and please customers more.
AI helps fast food places work better by looking at lots of information. Here's what it does:
What AI DoesHow It HelpsLooks at what customers likeSuggests food people wantChecks past ordersKnows what sells wellWatches things like weatherOffers right food at right time
This helps fast food places in many ways:
For example:
WhenWhat AI Might DoHot summer dayOffer deals on cold drinksHoliday timeSuggest special holiday food
By using AI, fast food places can:
AI helps make ordering food fit what each person likes. This makes people want to come back more.
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