From streamlining the order process to ensuring food quality, artificial intelligence is transforming restaurant operations, proving that these AI technologies do more than just speed up food prep.
Popular chain restaurants, from Chipotle to Wendy’s and beyond, have implemented AI in various forms, including algorithms to predict orders, digital kiosks to take orders, and robots to accelerate production. Another use is voice ordering, allowing customers to place their order via an AI system rather than a human. With tight margins and short labor, this type of AI promises to improve order accuracy and customer satisfaction, as well as better distribute limited labor across tasks. The technology also improves upselling as the AI system can consistently upsell customers by suggesting additional items during the ordering process.
While it is still early days for AI in restaurants, the potential benefits of the technology not only include speedier food prep and improved order accuracy, but enhanced food safety and quality, increased sales and revenue, better operational insights, and management guidance. AI transforms restaurant operations and delivers better food products to customers.
Tapping Into the Intelligence of AI
Restaurants can apply AI in several use case scenarios, and the technologies offer benefits that go beyond the basics.
For instance, many fast food giants are using AI in their drive-thru or phone ordering systems by using voice assistants (remember Domino’s virtual ordering assistant DOM). AI enables faster service and improved order accuracy for the drive-thru use case, but the possibilities go much further than simply speed. AI can be used to personalize menus, predict order demand, and even forecast supplies needed to meet demand.
Voice Ordering
As noted, several high-profile restaurants are already using AI voice assistants to take orders at the drive-thru, which AI proponents say allows for faster service and improved order accuracy. While there have been some reported hiccups with the technology, the National Restaurant Association’s 2025 State of the Restaurant Industry Report found that 28% of restaurant operators intend to invest in technologies such as AI to help improve efficiency, training, marketing, and off-premises operations.
Computer Vision
Restaurants are using computer vision systems with cameras placed over the food preparation areas to monitor the order fulfillment process and validate that the correct items are being prepared. For instance, this technology could verify that pickled onions were added to a Mediterranean bowl. This helps if customers complain about order errors and if employees are uncertain how an order was fulfilled.
Computer vision also helps monitor if employees are complying with food health and safety protocols such as washing hands, wearing hairnets, and using the proper equipment to prepare food. As for the food itself, computer vision systems monitor how long prepared items have been sitting out and instructs when it’s time to remove or discard expired or stale food items to maintain quality.
Computer vision tools also help restaurants analyze customer traffic patterns, queue times, and employee productivity in the restaurant. The data collected by these systems provides valuable insights into how to optimize staffing and workflows for a more efficient business operation across the entire system.
One thing to note with cameras and computer vision is that restaurants have to be transparent and fully disclose when cameras are in use in the facility for both employees and customers to adhere to privacy laws.
Personalization
AI can also be used to appeal to different customer demographics at different times of day or the week. For instance, AI could be used to personalize the digital menu board content, knowing that senior customers are primarily visiting the restaurant in the mid-morning hours. It could then dynamically reprogram the digital menu board to present appropriate deals for soccer moms vs. high school students within the same daypart.
Staff Optimization
Restaurants are facing significant labor shortages and challenges in finding qualified staff, especially for manager-level positions.
As mentioned above, voice ordering and computer vision can offload some tasks from the human workforce, but AI can also be used to identify opportunities to optimize workflows, improve training for employees, and provide guidance to store managers. AI-powered systems can also detect issues in a restaurant, such as spills, equipment malfunctions, or inventory shortages. The systems can then automatically alert staff or create tasks for the human workforce to address these issues.
AI technologies can also free up human staff to improve guest services by interacting with guests and providing them with the best possible experience at the restaurant. As AI works to speed some back-end processes, people can add the human touch to the overall customer experience.
From the Franchise Point of View
AI-powered solutions are a significant way for franchisors to support their franchisees and help them improve operations across various locations without becoming a joint employer.
For franchisors, AI could create a virtual store assistant that can analyze data from various sources, such as point of sale, videos, and voice ordering, to provide insights and guidance on what to prioritize for store managers. Computer vision and data analytics, for instance, can help franchisors ensure consistency in operations, compliance, and customer experience across their franchise locations. This can be valuable for maintaining brand standards and quality control.
For franchisees, AI can reduce labor challenges and alleviate some operational challenges with the automation of back-office tasks so they can focus on delivering a superior customer experience.
The Future of Fast Food
AI is emerging as a transformative technology for franchise restaurants. AI enhances efficiency, boosts compliance, frees up staff for higher-level tasks, and ultimately improves the overall customer experience. By embracing AI now, restaurants can empower themselves to streamline workflows, optimize food quality, and reduce labor challenges.
Learn how Hughes works with franchisors or restaurants to deliver high-performing network and security services so they can focus on delivering the best customer experience possible across locations.