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

Preservan

Preservan Celebrates First-Ever BrightPath Gathering: Lighting the Way for Community and Sustainability

preservan-celebrates-first-ever-brightpath-gathering-lighting-the-way-for-community-and-sustainability

Voodoo Brewing Co.

From Bartender to Brand Builder: How Matthew Hass Is Shaping the Future of Voodoo Brewing Co.

from-bartender-to-brand-builder-how-matthew-hass-is-shaping-the-future-of-voodoo-brewing-co

Woodhouse Spas

Photo of front desk of Woodhouse Spa featuring pendant lights, wood flooring, and marbled art

Expanding Woodhouse Spas Franchisees Prove Growth Is in the Details

woodhouse-spas-franchise-growth-success

From Small-Town Vision to National Wellness Brand: Milestones That Shaped Woodhouse Spas

woodhouse-spas-franchise-success-story

HomeTeam Inspection Service

Photo of HomeTeam team member speaking with another professional, referencing a computer

The Future of Home Inspection: Balancing Technology and Expertise at HomeTeam

future-of-home-inspection-hometeam

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

Fly Dance Fitness Expands With First Franchise Location in Georgia

fly-dance-fitness-franchise-expansion

&pizza - Fast-Casual Pizza Chain Begins Franchising - 1851 Franchise

&pizza Embraces Franchising To Fuel Bold New Growth Strategy

andpizza-franchising-ceo-mike-burns

CFOs See Recession as Likely in ’25; Why Now Is the Time To Water the Franchise Buyer Seeds

cfos-see-recession-as-likely-in-25-why-now-is-the-time-to-water-the-franchise-buyer-seeds

Ellie Mental Health Franchisee Backlash - Alleged Misrepresentations - 1851 Franchise

Ellie Mental Health Faces Franchisee Backlash Over Alleged Misrepresentations

ellie-mental-health-franchisee-backlash

Tariff Tensions Threaten U.S. Restaurants with Rising Costs and Supply Chain Disruptions

tariff-tensions-threaten-us-restaurants-with-rising-costs-and-supply-chain-disruptions

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025

paris-baguette-ranks-among-top-franchises-on-entrepreneurs-franchise-500-for-2025

Photo of a basket of chicken wings with dipping sauce and celery

RestaurantNews: Franchisees File Comprehensive Legal Complaint Against Hurricane AMT

restaurantnews-franchisees-file-comprehensive-legal-complaint-against-hurricane-amt

1851 Agg - McDonald's Sales Decline Expansion Continues - 1851 Franchise

McDonald’s Franchisees Feel the Pressure as Sales Decline and Expansion Continues

mcdonalds-franchisees-feel-the-pressure-as-sales-decline-and-expansion-continues

Florida Franchisee Reflects on Success and Growth with Sylvan Learning

florida-franchisee-reflects-on-success-and-growth-with-sylvan-learning

Franchise Deep Dive: Studio Pilates Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

franchise-deep-dive-studio-pilates-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

The Top Quick Service Restaurant Franchises for 2025

the-top-quick-service-restaurant-franchises

Top 25 Emerging Restaurant Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Top 25 Emerging Restaurant Concepts to Consider in 2025

top-emerging-restaurant-concepts-to-consider

Franchisee spotlight featuring Ian and Dick Rydholm with gradient blue background and Sylvan logo

Ian and Dick Rydholm Celebrate 30 Years of Transforming Lives Through Sylvan Learning in El Paso, Texas

ian-and-dick-rydholm-celebrate-30-years-of-transforming-lives-through-sylvan

How A.I. Is Redefining the Franchise Industry

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS