July 13, 2024
AI phone agents are transforming fast food ordering, offering key benefits:
FeatureAI Phone AgentsHuman Order-TakersSpeedHandle multiple orders simultaneouslyOne order at a timeAccuracyFewer mistakesProne to human errorCostLower long-term expensesHigher ongoing costsAvailability24/7Limited by shiftsLanguageMultiple languagesUsually limited
Real-world examples show success:
While initial setup costs and integration challenges exist, AI phone agents offer significant long-term benefits for fast food restaurants seeking to improve service speed and accuracy.
Fast food restaurants face several issues with their current order-taking methods. These problems can make customers unhappy and hurt the business.
When restaurants get busy, customers often have to wait a long time for their food. This is a big problem:
Impact of Long WaitsDetailsCustomer Behavior36% of fast-food customers have switched to a different restaurant or stopped visiting due to long waitsBusiness ConsequencesLoss of customers, fewer sales
Wrong orders are common in fast food restaurants. Here's why:
These mistakes can upset customers and even cause health problems for people with food allergies.
Long waits and wrong orders can hurt restaurants in many ways:
ProblemEffect on CustomersEffect on BusinessLong WaitsFrustration, leaving without buyingLost sales, bad reviewsWrong OrdersAnger, health risks for someComplaints, fewer return visits
AI phone agents are computer programs that take orders and talk to customers on the phone. They use smart technology to understand what people say and respond like a human would.
Here's how AI phone agents handle customer calls:
StepDescription1. AnswerAI agent picks up the phone2. GreetAI agent says hello to the customer3. ListenAI agent hears the customer's order4. ProcessAI agent understands the order5. ClarifyAI agent asks questions if needed6. ConfirmAI agent repeats the order to check7. SendAI agent puts the order in the restaurant's system
AI phone agents use these key technologies:
TechnologyWhat It DoesNatural Language ProcessingHelps the AI understand human speechMachine LearningLets the AI get better at its job over timeSpeech RecognitionTurns spoken words into text the AI can useSystem IntegrationConnects the AI to the restaurant's computers
These tools work together to help AI agents take orders quickly and correctly.
AI phone agents can cut down wait times for customers. They take orders faster, which means:
BenefitDetailsFaster serviceRestaurants can serve more people quicklyLess waitingCustomers spend less time in lineHappier customersShorter waits lead to better experiences
According to Valyant AI, these agents can cut wait times by up to 25%.
AI agents make fewer mistakes when taking orders. They use smart technology to understand what customers want. This leads to:
ImprovementResultMore accurate ordersCustomers get what they asked forFewer remakesLess food waste and faster serviceHappier customersPeople get the right food more often
Presto reports that AI can cut order errors by up to 95%.
AI agents are good at suggesting more items to customers. They look at what people order and offer things that go well with it. This helps:
BenefitOutcomeBigger ordersCustomers might buy moreMore salesRestaurants can make more moneyHappy customersPeople might like getting good suggestions
Presto's AI has shown it can boost sales by up to 6% by suggesting extra items.
AI phone agents can work all the time. This means:
AdvantageImpact24/7 orderingCustomers can order anytimeNo waiting for staffOrders get taken even when it's busyLate-night serviceUseful for restaurants open late
AI agents can talk to customers in different languages. This helps:
FeatureBenefitServe more customersPeople who speak other languages can order easilyFewer misunderstandingsLanguage barriers are less of a problemWider customer baseRestaurants can welcome more diverse customers
While AI phone agents can help fast food restaurants, there are some issues to think about when using them. Here are some problems and ways to solve them:
AI phone agents can be expensive to set up. Restaurants might worry about how long it will take to make their money back. To help with this:
SolutionHow It HelpsStart smallUse AI agents only during busy times or in some storesLook at long-term gainsThink about how AI can save money over timeDo the mathFigure out how much money AI might save or make
It can be hard to make AI phone agents work with the computer systems restaurants already use. To fix this:
SolutionDetailsWork with expertsFind companies that know how to connect AI to restaurant systemsUse special softwareGet programs that help different systems talk to each other
Workers need to learn how to work with AI phone agents. This can be tough. Here's how to help:
SolutionWhat It DoesGive good trainingTeach workers how to use and fix AI agentsHelp workers adjustUse ways to make workers feel good about using new tech
Customers might not know how to use AI phone agents. To help them:
SolutionHow It WorksGive clear instructionsPut up signs or info on websites about how to use AI agentsAsk for feedbackFind out what customers think and make things better
Jet's Pizza has put AI phone agents to work in their stores. Here's what they've done:
FeatureResultsOrderAI Text and Talk5 million orders takenText-to-order (since 2019)4 million ordersOrderAI Talk (since 2022)Over 1 million ordersMonthly earnings$6 million across all stores
These AI tools have helped Jet's Pizza:
McDonald's is also using AI to help with orders. They're using a system called Dynamic Yield that:
FeatureWhat it doesSmart suggestionsRecommends items based on time, weather, and popular choicesWhere it's usedOver 9,500 U.S. drive-thrusFuture plansAll U.S. and Australian outdoor menus by year-end
McDonald's tested this system in some U.S. stores and found it worked well. Now, they're using it in over 12,000 drive-thrus to suggest items to customers.
These examples show how AI phone agents can:
Let's look at how AI phone agents and human order-takers stack up in key areas:
FactorAI Phone AgentsHuman Order-TakersSpeedCan handle many orders at once, cutting wait timesCan only take one order at a time, leading to longer waitsAccuracyMake fewer mistakes in taking ordersCan make errors due to tiredness or distractionsCostLower long-term costs, no need for breaks or benefitsHigher costs due to wages, benefits, and training
Speed: AI agents work faster because they can take multiple orders at the same time. This means customers don't have to wait as long. Humans can only handle one order at a time, which can cause delays when it's busy.
Accuracy: AI agents are less likely to get orders wrong. They don't mishear things or pick the wrong items by mistake. Humans might make errors if they're tired or distracted, even if they're trying their best.
Cost: AI agents can save restaurants money over time. They don't need pay, days off, or health insurance. Human workers cost more because restaurants have to pay them, give them benefits, and train them.
AI phone agents are changing how fast food places take orders. Let's look at what might happen next.
AI phone agents will get better at understanding customers. Here's what we might see:
ImprovementWhat It MeansBetter speech understandingAI can understand different accentsSmarter suggestionsAI remembers what you like and suggests similar items
These changes will make ordering easier for customers.
AI phone agents will work better with other tools restaurants use. This could lead to:
ConnectionResultAI + Kitchen displaysCooks see orders fasterAI + Inventory trackingRestaurants always have the right food in stock
When AI works with these tools, restaurants can:
As AI gets better, it will help fast food places work smoother and make customers happier.
AI phone agents have made big changes in fast food ordering. Here's what they do well:
BenefitHow It HelpsShorter waitsCustomers get their food fasterFewer mistakesOrders are more often correctSuggest more itemsRestaurants can sell moreAlways workingCan take orders any timeSpeak many languagesMore customers can order easily
AI will keep changing how fast food places work. Here's what we might see:
ChangeWhat It MeansMore AI useFaster and more correct ordersPersonal orderingAI remembers what you likeBetter serviceHappier customers
As AI gets better, fast food places will use it more. This could make ordering food easier and quicker for everyone.
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