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Just when companies were starting to <a href="https://1851franchise.com/self-service-kiosk-market-to-reach-over-30-billion-2710538" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">get used to touch-screen kiosks</a>, technological trends are changing once again. As <a href="https://www.cnet.com/news/ed-sheeran-will-duet-with-amazon-alexa-if-you-ask-and-its-so-creepy/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=can-i-take-your-order-why-voice-ordering-is-revolutionizing-the-foodservice-space-2710983" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant gain popularity</a>, consumers are demanding the same level of easy, voice-controlled ordering from their fast-food brands. While quick-service restaurants have been <a href="https://1851franchise.com/domino-s-debuts-technology-testing-center-in-a-garage-2710782" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">leveraging new technologies</a> such as self-order kiosks and <a href="https://1851franchise.com/look-up-your-next-meal-may-be-arriving-via-drone-2710797" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">drone delivery</a> to streamline store operations, increase orders and enhance customer loyalty, AI-powered voice ordering is taking things to a whole new level.

This week, McDonald&#39;s agreed to <a href="https://news.mcdonalds.com/news-releases/news-release-details/McDonalds/acquire/apprente?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=can-i-take-your-order-why-voice-ordering-is-revolutionizing-the-foodservice-space-2710983" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">acquire two-year-old Silicon Valley-based Apprente</a>, an early stage, voice-based conversational technology startup that can automate voice-based ordering in multiple languages. The acquisition comes after McDonald&#39;s began <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/mcdonalds-tests-robot-fryers-and-voice-activated-drive-throughs-11561060920?mod=searchresults&amp%3Bpage=1&amp%3Bpos=1&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=can-i-take-your-order-why-voice-ordering-is-revolutionizing-the-foodservice-space-2710983" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">testing voice-activated drive-thrus and deep-frying robots in June</a>.&nbsp;

As part of the brand&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/why-mcdonalds-is-supersizing-its-tech-spending/552162/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=can-i-take-your-order-why-voice-ordering-is-revolutionizing-the-foodservice-space-2710983" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">attempt to become a tech leader</a>, McDonald&rsquo;s is shifting its focus onto <a href="https://news.mcdonalds.com/stories/company-news-details/transforming-customer-experience?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=can-i-take-your-order-why-voice-ordering-is-revolutionizing-the-foodservice-space-2710983" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">raising the bar </a>for restaurant technology, putting together a Silicon Valley-based technology team of engineers and data scientists called McD Test Labs, of which<a href="https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/mcdonalds-acquires-ai-tech-company-apprente/562595/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=can-i-take-your-order-why-voice-ordering-is-revolutionizing-the-foodservice-space-2710983" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank"> Apprente will be the founding member</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The QSR burger chain <a href="https://www.chainstoreage.com/technology/sonic-hears-its-customers-with-ai-and-voice-ordering/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=can-i-take-your-order-why-voice-ordering-is-revolutionizing-the-foodservice-space-2710983" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">Sonic also began testing a voice-automated menu in May</a> through a partnership with Mastercard and kiosk vendor ZIVELO. Domino&rsquo;s, in its <a href="https://1851franchise.com/domino-s-puts-the-pedal-to-the-medal-with-in-car-restaurant-technology-2710658" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">never-ending quest</a> for tech dominance, <a href="https://hospitalitytech.com/dominos-launches-voice-recognition-app-take-phone-orders?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=can-i-take-your-order-why-voice-ordering-is-revolutionizing-the-foodservice-space-2710983" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">unveiled a voice recognition app named &ldquo;DOM&rdquo;</a>, meant to create a more natural and streamlined way to order pizza over the phone.

Of course, artificial intelligence isn&rsquo;t just good for quick ordering; brands like <a href="https://venturebeat.com/2019/05/23/chick-fil-as-ai-can-spot-signs-of-foodborne-illness-from-social-media-posts-with-78-accuracy/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=can-i-take-your-order-why-voice-ordering-is-revolutionizing-the-foodservice-space-2710983" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">Chick-fil-A have begun using a customized artificial intelligence system </a>that provides the company with algorithms to analyze social media posts for potential food safety issues across its system. <a href="https://www.nrn.com/fast-casual/chipotle-quietly-rolls-out-artificial-intelligence-1800-units?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=can-i-take-your-order-why-voice-ordering-is-revolutionizing-the-foodservice-space-2710983" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">Chipotle</a> recently began rolling out the use of <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/01/how-ai-voice-recognition-and-apps-are-revolutionizing-takeout.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=can-i-take-your-order-why-voice-ordering-is-revolutionizing-the-foodservice-space-2710983" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">AI-voice recognition, which can provide brands with a consumer profile</a> based solely on a customer&rsquo;s voice, including important demographic information such as age, gender and preferred meal choice.&nbsp;

As more and more customers come to expect the easiest ordering process possible, franchisors in the QSR and fast casual space are leveraging voice technology as the new frontier.

Can I Take Your Order? Why Voice Ordering Is Revolutionizing the Foodservice Space

1851 Franchise

As major QSR brands begin adopting new technologies, voice ordering is offering a slew of brand new possibilities.


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