1851

While the concept of A.I. has <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligence?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-ai-is-redefining-the-franchise-industry-2712199" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">been around for decades</a>, it seems that the technology is just now beginning to saturate our daily lives. When it comes to the franchise industry, major players from Chick-fil-A to Chipotle to Domino's have implemented A.I. in some form, whether to identify food safety issues, scale-up logistics or generate orders via voice assistants.&nbsp;A.I. Powered Voice OrderingIt is no secret that <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=how-ai-is-redefining-the-franchise-industry-2712199" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant are gaining popularity</a> in the home. Now, 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">leveraging new technologies</a> such as <a href="https://1851franchise.com/self-service-kiosk-market-to-reach-over-30-billion-2710538">self-order kiosks</a> and <a href="https://1851franchise.com/look-up-your-next-meal-may-be-arriving-via-drone-2710797">drone delivery</a> to streamline store operations, increase orders and enhance customer loyalty, A.I.-powered voice ordering is taking things to a whole new level.Last June, McDonald'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=how-ai-is-redefining-the-franchise-industry-2712199" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">testing voice-activated drive-thrus and deep-frying robots</a>. 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=how-ai-is-redefining-the-franchise-industry-2712199" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sonic also began testing a voice-automated menu in May 2019</a> through a partnership with Mastercard and kiosk vendor ZIVELO. Domino’s, in its <a href="https://1851franchise.com/domino-s-puts-the-pedal-to-the-medal-with-in-car-restaurant-technology-2710658">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=how-ai-is-redefining-the-franchise-industry-2712199" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">unveiled a voice recognition app named “DOM”</a>, meant to create a more natural and streamlined way to order pizza over the phone. Other franchisors such as <a href="https://www.digitalcommerce360.com/2018/03/14/voice-ordering-dennys-shows-everyone-tech-company-now/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-ai-is-redefining-the-franchise-industry-2712199" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Denny’s</a> and <a href="https://news.dunkindonuts.com/news/alexa-order-from-dunkin-donuts-dunkin-donuts-expands-order-anywhere-accessibility-with-amazon-alexa-integration?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-ai-is-redefining-the-franchise-industry-2712199" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Dunkin'</a> have also deployed bot and voice-enabled ordering. Automating phone orders also reduces the amount of time managers and employees spend on the phone.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.Keeping Things SafeOf course, artificial intelligence isn’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=how-ai-is-redefining-the-franchise-industry-2712199" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">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.&nbsp;So, what does that mean exactly? Chick-fil-A’s goal was to develop an A.I. framework that could reliably identify keywords, phrases, and customer sentiments from posts to help spot emerging foodborne illness. The program reviews new data every 10 minutes from a range of social platforms, which filters for over 500 keywords (including words like “illness,” “food poisoning,” “vomit,” “throw up,” “barf,” and “nausea”) and then uses Amazon’s natural language processing service to check sentiment and determine legitimacy.The restaurant chain is also experimenting with computer vision systems that warn employees who’ve been handling raw chicken to wash their hands before they move to other areas of the kitchen. Another A.I.-driven system that instructs team members how to rinse their hands thoroughly, reducing the risk of foodborne illness by up to 80%.Leveraging the DataSome franchisors have been able to combine the benefits of A.I.-powered voice-ordering and data gathering to create powerful consumer-facing tools. <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=how-ai-is-redefining-the-franchise-industry-2712199" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chipotle, for example, recently began rolling out the use of human-backed machine learning</a>, which can provide brands with a consumer profile based solely on a customer’s voice, including important demographic information such as age, gender and preferred meal choice.&nbsp;Although automated customer service phone systems and chatbots are commonplace among pharmacy, utility, retail and e-commerce companies, Chipotle is one of the foodservice brands starting to utilize the service systemwide. Since Chipotle specializes in customized meals, it makes sense that they would turn to more sophisticated versions of voice assistants to process orders. With each transaction, the A.I. platform learns the idiosyncrasies of how people order and adds it to the brand’s database.It has been said that <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-14/voice-ordering-at-denny-s-shows-everyone-is-a-tech-company-now?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-ai-is-redefining-the-franchise-industry-2712199" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">every restaurant chain wants to be a tech company now</a>, and with good reason. As tech trends like <a href="https://1851franchise.com/digital-ordering-will-triple-by-2020-report-2709086">online ordering</a> and <a href="https://1851franchise.com/third-party-delivery-apps-continue-to-take-over-the-game-2710464">third-party delivery</a> continue to dominate the franchising landscape, A.I. is a logical next step for franchisors trying to stay ahead of the curve.

How A.I. Is Redefining the Franchise Industry

1851 Franchise

Artificial intelligence is paving the way for restaurant technology innovation all across the franchising industry.

how-ai-is-redefining-the-franchise-industry

HomeTeam Inspection Service

Sell Smarter: How Pre-Listing Inspections Give Home Sellers an Edge

pre-listing-inspections-seller-advantage

BoConcept

BoConcept Shares Tips for Homeowners Who Want to Refresh Their Living Rooms

boconcept-shares-tips-for-homeowners-who-want-to-refresh-their-living-rooms

BoConcept’s Carmen Henriquez Shares Tips for Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Design

boconcepts-carmen-henriquez-shares-tips-for-seamless-indoor-outdoor-design

Comfort Keepers

Comfort Keepers Sets Sights on Boston: Expanding In-Home Care Services in the Heart of New England

comfort-keepers-sets-sights-on-boston-expanding-in-home-care-services-in-the-heart-of-new-england

Workout Anytime

Workout Anytime Champions NIL Support for Female Athletes at Final Four - Sports Illustrated - 1851

Sports Illustrated: Workout Anytime Champions NIL Support for Female Athletes at Final Four

workout-anytime-nil-support-female-athletes

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises

homebuyers-keep-buying-and-thats-good-news-for-home-service-franchises

AI Could Push Unemployment to 20% — Fueling a Surge in First-Time Franchise Buyers - 1851 Franchise

AI Could Push Unemployment to 20% — Fueling a Surge in First-Time Franchise Buyers

ai-unemployment-impact-white-collar-job-loss

How To Sell Just One Franchise: What You’ll Learn at FranCamp NJ 2025

how-to-sell-just-one-franchise-what-youll-learn-at-francamp-nj-2025

House Passes Tax Relief Package With Key Benefits for Small Businesses and Franchises

house-passes-small-business-tax-relief-bill-2025

McDonald’s To Hire 375,000 Workers as It Prepares for Major U.S. Expansion

mcdonalds-to-hire-375000-workers-as-it-prepares-for-major-us-expansion

Restaurant Business: Crumbl Cools Its Expansion, Refocuses on Profitability

restaurant-business-crumbl-cools-its-expansion-refocuses-on-profitability

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

How Car Sales Taught Buddy's Home Furnishings’ Mitchell Lee the Secrets of Franchise Development

how-car-sales-taught-buddys-home-furnishings-mitchell-lee-the-secrets-of-franchise-development

The Top 20 Handyman Franchises To Invest in for 2025

top-handyman-franchises-to-invest-in

The Top 20 Cleaning Franchises to Invest in for 2025

top-cleaning-franchises-to-invest-in

franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Melissa & Matt Johnson and Pigtails & Crewcuts logo

Building a Family-Friendly Business: How Melissa and Matt Johnson Grew Pigtails & Crewcuts in San Antonio

how-melissa-and-matt-johnson-grew-pigtails-crewcuts-in-san-antonio

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Sean Phelan & Caring Transitions logo

From Tech to Transitions: Why This Caring Transitions Franchisee Left the Corporate World To Help Families Navigate Life’s Hardest Moves

sean-phelan-caring-transitions-franchise-austin

How A.I. Is Redefining the Franchise Industry

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS