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As the 100th annual National Restaurant Association Show came to a close in Chicago on Tuesday, attendees were left with a clear impression of the trends taking hold in the restaurant industry. We recently reported on <a href="https://1851franchise.com/meat-alternatives-are-front-and-center-at-this-year-s-nra-show-2710010#mainTrending" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">the surge in plant-based protein options on display</a> at this year&rsquo;s NRA Show; now, we&rsquo;re diving into the new technology tools cropping up in the industry. 

Among the tech-forward displays at the NRA Show came courtesy of Sonic Drive-In, which announced it will be beta testing artificial intelligence-powered voice ordering at select locations later this year.

<a href="https://www.nrn.com/technology/sonic-drive-demonstrates-voice-ai-pilot-nra-show?NL=NRN-02_&amp%3BIssue=NRN-02__20190522_NRN-02__986&amp%3Bsfvc4enews=42&amp%3Bcl=article_1_5&amp%3Butm_rid=CPG06000007795822&amp%3Butm_campaign=30737&amp%3Butm_medium=email&amp%3Belq2=ad8781e6102b4f4d8a76cc010b746b65&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=sonic-to-beta-test-ai-powered-voice-ordering-2710032" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">According to Nation&rsquo;s Restaurant News</a>,&nbsp;Sonic has partnered with Mastercard and self-serve kiosk company Zivelo for the pilot, which will feature AI-powered menu boards that use voice assistants to take an order, personalizing the experience for customers though the Sonic loyalty app.

&ldquo;Voice AI promises to provide carefree conversational ordering that complements the overall experience,&rdquo; Sonic&rsquo;s VP of integrated customer engagement, Jon Dorch, said in a statement included in the article. &ldquo;We anticipate AI integration will also provide opportunities to streamline repeat orders, personalize suggestions based on data, and offer rewards that are truly relevant.&rdquo;

Read the full story <a href="https://www.nrn.com/technology/sonic-drive-demonstrates-voice-ai-pilot-nra-show?NL=NRN-02_&amp%3BIssue=NRN-02__20190522_NRN-02__986&amp%3Bsfvc4enews=42&amp%3Bcl=article_1_5&amp%3Butm_rid=CPG06000007795822&amp%3Butm_campaign=30737&amp%3Butm_medium=email&amp%3Belq2=ad8781e6102b4f4d8a76cc010b746b65&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=sonic-to-beta-test-ai-powered-voice-ordering-2710032" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">here</a>.

Sonic to Beta Test AI-Powered Voice Ordering

1851 Franchise

One of the many tech-forward displays at the 100th annual National Restaurant Association Show, Sonic becomes the latest restaurant brand to incorporate AI into its operations.

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