Momos Raises $10 Million to Expand its AI-Powered Customer Platform for Multi-Location Restaurants

Its drive-thru voice assistants can be found taking orders at White Castle and Panda Express. More announcements are coming soon, company spokesperson told Food on Demand. The company’s voice AI for phone orders is currently its most prolific offering, she said. More than 20 large scale brands covering thousands of locations use this technology, including Jersey Mike’s, Papa Johns, Casey’s, and Chipotle. In December, SoundHound AI merged with SYNQ3 Restaurant Solutions, a leading provider of voice AI.

Presto is a pioneer in AI-driven automation solutions for the restaurant industry, with a particular focus on revolutionizing drive-thru operations. The company’s flagship product, Presto Voice, addresses critical challenges such as labor shortages while generating new revenue streams and enhancing customer experiences. By leveraging advanced speech recognition and conversational AI, Presto Voice seamlessly integrates with major POS systems to streamline and optimize drive-thru operations. To cater for this space, many start-ups have emerged offering innovative solutions to the industry including Foodsi, GreenBytes, Freshflow, Positive Carbon, among others worldwide.

Bloomberg reported that the deal was partly for a chatbot named “Ask Pickles” that employees could use for guidance on things like cleaning ice cream machines. Even so, Google partnered with Wendy’s, which started testing drive-thru AI based on its tech last year and has since expanded that trial. AI can make real-time upselling smarter, modifying suggestions based on inventory, time of day, and weather conditions. For instance, on a hot day, the system might suggest cold beverages or ice cream. Increasing sales through tailored suggestions can be a game-changer for operators who often face thin profit margins.

AI Waitress: The Role of Robots in Restaurant Service

Pretty rapidly, we got down the path of generative AI as a capability we might be able to implement to start to drive a lot of improvements across the customer and crew experiences. John Dittig joined MicroTouch in January 2024 as the Global Vice President with a focus on Business Development and Partnerships. MicroTouch, the global leader in capacitive touch solutions, celebrates over 40 years as an innovator in touch technology, with more than 50 million touchscreen installations in 80 countries worldwide, and 100-plus patents.

Notably, Del Taco abandoned its AI voicebot trial earlier this year after facing challenges. Since joining Givex in 2007, Mo Chaar has helped the company expand its North American footprint. He began his tenure as a Business DevelopmentManager before becoming Vice President of Sales for North America, and then moved to his current role of Chief Commercial Officer. In this role, Chaar oversees commercial strategy and development worldwide as well as managing the sales teams within North America. His experience in gift card, loyalty and POS has played a pivotal role in the success of some of Givex’s largest partners. As Givex continues to expand on a global level, with a wide array of product offerings, there is a need to keep the teams aligned on pricing, product and sales approach.

This brings Momos’ total funding to $17 million, providing a runway of approximately three years. Food On Demand Outstanding Operators features restaurant brands with innovative operations that are taking creative paths to success with delivery and all things off-premises. Joe Reinstein, executive director of the Digital Restaurant Association, noted that while it’s still “early days” for AI-powered restaurant tech, he acknowledged that such advanced technologies can solve real problems for restaurants. I’ll share a bit on the evolution of the company and maybe that’ll give you some perspective on that question. The reason platforms like Toast took off is a lot of this technology, believe it or not, in 2012 and 2013 was actually in servers in the restaurant.

Enhance Staffing and Scheduling

After all, a well-crafted first impression sets the tone for the entire hiring process, enticing top talent to join the team. Restaurants are already becoming more technologically forward, from interactive QR code menus to tap-to-order kiosks to reservation apps like OpenTable. According to a study from Hospitality Technology, 78 percent of restaurant IT budgets will increase in 2024. Given this, genAI is most likely to show up as a new feature in technology restaurant workers already use. Ideally, genAI will make it easier for employees to do their jobs by acting as a virtual assistant; in conversing with the assistant, employees can bypass complicated processes and get instant access to the information that will make them more productive.

Ever since Google rolled out its AI-generated summaries on Search, the tech giant’s summaries are the first thing a person might see if they were to search for local tourist destinations in a new city. But those results are culled together from an automated analysis of internet entries—including tons of Reddit pages. As such, it would appear (according to Calgie) that London Redditors are writing rave reviews of an oft-criticized steak restaurant chain, in an effort to drive tourists there and away from other locations. “This technology is proven to have some of the most comprehensive capabilities in the industry, fast and accurate in some of the most demanding conditions,” the company said in a statement. “While McDonald’s is reevaluating and refining its plans for AOT, we look forward to continuing to work with them on a variety of other projects.” Although McDonald’s partnership with IBM on Automated Order Taker has ended, the food company said it would continue to explore how technology can improve its workflow.

Taco Bell, the Mexican-inspired American fast-food chain, is making a technological leap by introducing artificial intelligence (AI) powered drive-thrus to hundreds of its US locations. This move, described as the company’s biggest change to date, follows a trial run in 100 stores across 13 states. The fast-food chain’s ultimate goal is to implement this technology in all its restaurants, signaling a strong belief in AI’s potential to revolutionize the customer experience. Personalized menu suggestions, higher order accuracy scores, improved loyalty programs, and faster services can create an efficient and enjoyable drive-thru experience, leading to happier and more loyal customers.

The Positive AI Experiences in Fast Food

A few days ago, the concept of Ethos took X by storm when a user Justine Moore shared her thoughts on the AI aspects of the restaurant, theorising that it could be a passion project. Later, she added an update showing an AI-generated image of her dining at Ethos and detailing all the courses she was ‘served’. In all, an AI-powered WFM platform helps to keep compliance at the forefront by automatically accounting for and enforcing various compliance pillars across all teams and locations. With so many new ways to be discovered thanks to Google’s new AI tools, creating content that’s relevant to your brand across multiple channels is the best way to set yourself up for success in search. We are constantly looking at how AI applications generally are performing in the industry, as well as other industries.

You put so much effort and time into creating a brand experience in your restaurant that it only makes sense to extend this to your online presence. The AI voice-ordering feature is powered by Google Cloud’s large language model, processes orders in English and Spanish, and intends to give crew members more time to prepare food. The initial test in Columbus showed that AI-enabled drive-thru service times were 22 seconds faster than the average in the region. Wendy’s is planning to roll out Wendy’s FreshAI to more locations throughout this year and beyond.

Large companies like Yum Brands, the parent company of Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC, and Habit Burger Grill, have already integrated “AI-powered” future for its fast-food operations to enhance every aspect of its restaurant operations. Another use case is of IKEA deploying the AI tool developed by Winnow across its 23 stores in the UK and Ireland. Targeted marketing programs supported by AI technology, primarily delivered through digital channels such as mobile apps and email, have also been shown to drive sales. Digital orders now account for approximately 50% of total sales across the restaurant industry. AI-driven technologies offer enhanced ways to connect with the customer and create a win-win by driving incremental sales while forming a unique and personalized brand relationship. Taco Bell’s innovation is also evident in other technology-enabled concepts.

We spent a very long time in that one location before we made a decision to expand to additional sites. We had people camp out in the dining room for thousands of hours, talking to the crew about their experience with the technology, and also having conversations with customers. Artificial intelligence (AI) is the subject of well-deserved hype for its potential to disrupt operations in virtually every industry. However, you need to cut through the hype to determine where AI will deliver value. In the restaurant industry, several use cases are emerging as candidates for practical AI applications that result in more efficiency, accuracy, and customer satisfaction.

As of this writing, asking Google for the best steak, steakhouse, or steak sandwich in London (or similar) isn’t generating an AI Overview result for me. But when I searched for the best steak sandwich in London, the top result is from Reddit, including a thread from four days ago titled “Which Angus Steakhouse do you recommend for their steak sandwich? ” and one from two days ago titled “Had to see what all the hype was about, best steak sandwich I’ve ever had! “Last 2 times I have been there has been a queue of over 200 people, and the ones with the food are just doing the selfie shit for their [I]nsta[gram] pages and then throwing most of the food away.” A trend on Reddit that sees Londoners giving false restaurant recommendations in order to keep their favorites clear of tourists and social media influencers highlights the inherent flaws of Google Search’s reliance on Reddit and Google’s AI Overview. Banking products and services are offered by Citizens Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.

AI in the Restaurant Industry: Unlocking Opportunities to Reduce Costs and Increase Efficiency

Giving them the tools they need to succeed will minimize risk while maximizing productivity. Labor compliance only forms one part of a restaurant’s overall labor strategy, which plays a pivotal role in business operations, employee experience, and customer satisfaction. To make things even more challenging, labor compliance laws evolve constantly and vary across jurisdictions, which can exacerbate compliance risks for restaurants operating in multiple locations. We are hyper-focused on areas that we can improve for our crew or our customers.

He has 30+ years of retail WFM, store operations, and technology experience. He spent 16 years leading the Retail and Hospitality Services Practice Group at Kronos. His passion for Retail WFM is rooted in the ten years he was Director of Store Technologies at Gap Inc. After being a customer, vendor, and consultant, he has a unique vantage point, which makes him a trusted partner when showing retailers how they can ChatGPT App use Legion WFM to optimize labor efficiencies and empower frontline employees. Restaurant owners and operators should prioritize uplifting their managers in their labor strategy efforts. The burden of ensuring labor efficiency often falls to managers, who are already overwhelmed with managing front-of-house, kitchen, and backend responsibilities–in addition to training new employees and interacting with customers.

• On the other hand, Mukhin used the generative platform Midjourney to reimagine Bocuse’s iconic recipes, such as his signature truffle V.G.E soup.
• It took me maybe a little longer than it should have to realize the AI videos and voiceovers playing were actually narrating us through the courses.
• Asher explained that although restaurants have recovered to a great degree from a critical labor shortage that began in 2020, they still face challenges in hiring and retaining employees.
• The result is targeted projections, such as fireflies on glasses and plates.

For deploying the AI technologies, initial investments are significantly high, which seems difficult to come from smaller established restaurants. I see that the outlook with the integration of these technologies in the existing workflow will be contributing to the industry both financially and environmentally. Past – Analyse the past data such as customer preferences for specific food category, seasonal performance, volume of customers incoming / ordering on festive days, long weekends or during national events such as sports, politics, etc.

In a dark, round dining room, diners sit at a 20-seat circular table surrounded by curved walls that serve as projection screens. The late chef then guides diners through each course with detailed explanations. The AI-generated voiceover referenced the company’s prestigious culinary award as the appetizers landed in front of us on big tire plates.

AI technology is dramatically impacting the restaurant industry, offering innovative solutions to streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and boost profitability. From AI-powered voice ordering systems to intelligent inventory management tools, these AI tools for restaurants are transforming the way restaurant owners and operators manage their businesses. As the food industry continues to evolve, the average restaurateur must adapt to meet changing customer expectations. You can foun additiona information about ai customer service and artificial intelligence and NLP. AI tools offer ChatGPT a competitive edge by enhancing the dining experience, streamlining the ordering process, and improving customer satisfaction. From managing busy dining rooms to reducing food waste, AI-powered systems can handle a wide range of restaurant operations with increased accuracy and efficiency. By embracing these AI technologies, restaurant operators can focus on what truly matters – delivering exceptional food and service while building a thriving restaurant business in today’s dynamic market.

Work with restaurant AI solutions providers to determine the best time to move forward with a proof of concept and implementation to stay on the leading edge of your market. The best time is likely sooner, rather than later, in a rapidly changing industry. Advancements in AI technology may soon bring even more innovative solutions to the restaurant industry.

White Castle is one of many restaurants that have embraced AI in recent years. The technology has helped fast casual and fast food restaurants interact with customers either at kiosks or over the phone and at the drive-thru. It can also help restaurants with back-of-house activities, such as managing reservations and order inventory. In the fast-paced world of fast food, integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a topic of heated discussion, especially with giant brands adopting (…or, ahem, dropping) this new technology to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency. The fast-food industry’s growing affinity for AI comes as companies see the technology as a means of replacing human workers to reduce rising labor costs. After California passed a new mandatory minimum wage law for fast-food workers, businesses rushed towards implementing AI technologies that could perform tasks such as taking customer orders.

Taco Bell, Checkers, and Carl’s Jr. are among the fast-food chains experimenting with drive-thru AI, a strong indication the industry sees potential productivity gains—and likely cost savings—if the technology is deployed successfully. But McDonald’s ditched the technology earlier this year and Wendy’s rollout is fairly judicious, given that the company and its franchisees operate over 7,000 restaurants globally. While his favorite Wendy’s menu item is the spicy chicken nuggets, Spessard has always craved finding fresh ways to infuse technology into restaurants.

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“Our AI receptionist is designed to intelligently handle customer interactions over the phone, providing a seamless and personalized experience that enhances customer satisfaction and streamlines restaurant operations,” the company said. The tech solution can take orders, make reservations, and answer customer questions like a concierge. The company described its “human-like voice agent” as friendly, fast, and available 24 hours a day. I tested the bot, and it truly felt like I was conversing with a real human.

AI is also helping restaurants to manage an increasingly multigenerational workforce. According to new research, over half of managers noticed changes in the ages of the hourly workers they’re hiring in the past year, whether they’re hiring more minors, more employees 65+, or both. Restaurants and bars face especially unique challenges in hiring minors, as child labor laws around the country are changing in response to shifting labor demands, and teen interest in jobs is rising.

Multiple AI-driven robotics companies have received national interest and investor funding to build robots that can make a variety of food, such as pizza, french fries and hamburgers, to name a few. Chipotle Mexican Grill is testing a robotic tortilla chip-making machine named “Chippy” in the hopes of delivering a consistent, perfectly cooked, well-seasoned chip. In addition to the expansion of Voice AI across Taco Bell U.S. drive-thrus, five KFC restaurants in Australia are simultaneously testing Voice AI technology in drive-thrus. While Yum! Brands has not disclosed its technology partners in this endeavor, they have emphasized the system’s ability to comprehend diverse pronunciations of menu items, a direct response to past criticisms of similar technologies. Despite McDonald’s challenges, Taco Bell remains confident in its AI-powered drive-thru system. Yum! Brands, Taco Bell’s parent company, asserts that their system, developed over two years of testing and refinement, has demonstrated improved order accuracy, increased employee satisfaction, and reduced wait times.

These AI tools are intended to help searchers in new ways to find the best information online and solve other issues around planning and research. While you want to use the right keywords and aim to take up as much space online as possible, everything needs to be done with the user in mind to ensure you have the best chance of creating real customers. Brand building is essential to establishing yourself as a business and creating a reliable customer base in the hospitality industry. With the majority of people using Google to find your restaurant, all your work to develop a brand identity must be shared online as well as when people are dining with you. Prior to that, we spent a lot of time in the lab to understand the mapping of language for an experience that’s differentiating for our customers, but also in a way that makes sense for our crew.

Whether it’s on mobile or web, AI chatbots can help answer operators’ questions based on existing articles and content, so they can spend more time with their staff and guests, and less time searching for a solution. Tools for helping operators thrive

The restaurant industry’s “AI moment” has arrived, and it can help operators who embrace it deliver exceptional dining experiences on-premise and at home. As AI advances, its role in the sector can help improve operations and the ways we think about technology’s role within a restaurant. AI is not merely a trend but a transformative force that can redefine the dining experience.

For patrons, dining here is a different kind of education and entertainment. Co-founded by digital artist Anton Nenashev, acclaimed chef Vladimir Mukhin, and entrepreneur Boris Zarkov, Krasota offers an eight-course “Imaginary Futures” show. As CNN reports, each course is meticulously themed, ranging from underwater cities to space colonies. When I learned the dining room is surrounded on all sides chatbot for restaurants by screens with AI-generated text-to-photo and text-to-video content, I was skeptical about how unpretentious it would be. They’ve got to be thoughtful about what they do with these challenges, because you can pass on the cost to some extent to guests, but it’s not easy to manage that. Restaurateurs are often dealing with the here and now, because they’re just running their business today.

AI can provide the decision-making capabilities behind robotics operations, which deliver food more quickly and work with employees to increase their productivity. It can enable targeted marketing campaigns to a specific geographic area or boost sales across a nationwide chain. AI can even determine the most effective messaging and the correct value of a coupon that will drive traffic but still generate profits. Major US fast food giants including Chipotle, Wendy’s, Carl’s Jr, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut have rolled out AI-assisted systems in recent years. Still, McDonald’s signalled that the aborted trial would not be the end of its experiments with AI, saying that “our work with IBM has given us the confidence that a voice ordering solution for [drive-through] will be part of our restaurants’ future”. The fast food giant said it had decided to retire the AI-powered voice-ordering system, launched in partnership with IBM in 2021, after a “thoughtful review”.

Our experience has indicated that customers are ready to participate in the automated order-taking process like the FreshAI assistant. And what we have, I would say, is a much friendlier, hospitable version of a lot of those types of technologies. Restaurant AI solutions are undeniably in the nascent stage; therefore, expect solutions to evolve as technology advances and AI models learn. However, keep in mind that those advancements are occurring at a faster pace than when previously disruptive technologies came to market.

However, in the past several years, restaurant customers have recognized that facial recognition is a convenient way to access accounts, find past orders, earn or use loyalty points, and make payments, all with only a facial scan. McDonald’s is scrapping a trial of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted ordering at select drive-through restaurants after videos of order mix-ups went viral online. Whatever McDonald’s does with drive-thru AI, that’s only part of the story when it comes to its efforts to automate previously human-performed tasks.

By using algorithms to analyze historical data, weather, seasonality and input costs, managers are armed with enormous amounts of data to make decisions that minimize waste and maximize productivity. Given the industry’s challenges with constrained labor supply, rising wages and increasing food costs, AI can help meaningfully offset these macroeconomic pressures. Argo Labs is a New York-based startup that has developed what it calls a “voice-to-voice AI” software tailored for the restaurant industry.

ReachifyAI is a phone automation solution tailored for the restaurant industry. While other voice AI companies are deploying voice assistants in drive-thru lanes, ReachifyAI is targeting phone orders. Their bot concierge service offers AI-powered voice ordering by phone or text-to-order services.

The innovative solution utilizes existing security camera infrastructure to deliver real-time insights that enable customers to streamline operations and protect assets. This has resulted in a complete reliance on 3rd party food delivery marketplaces for online delivery orders, which take 30%+ in commission, do not share customer data with restaurants, and leave customers increasingly frustrated due to higher menu prices. Momos’ rapid growth and investor confidence reflect the increasing demand for AI-powered customer engagement solutions in the restaurant industry. As restaurants seek to navigate the complexities of managing multiple locations and vast amounts of customer data, platforms like Momos offer a promising solution for enhancing efficiency, personalizing the guest experience, and driving business growth.