Christopher Siefken, Global Head of Technology at Xenial, discusses the shift in fast food ordering and consumption. They explore the rise of kiosks and mobile ordering, innovations in drive-throughs, and the use of camera-based car recognition technology. The podcast also discusses the impact of the pandemic on the fast food industry, including increased mobile ordering and automation of tasks.
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Quick takeaways
Restaurants are utilizing technology-based ordering systems to enhance the customer ordering experience and redistribute labor within the restaurant.
Upcoming trends in drive-through experiences include the implementation of voice AI and the increasing adoption of kiosk experiences, improving efficiency and convenience for customers.
Deep dives
Shifting Towards Technology in Ordering
The podcast discusses the shift in the restaurant industry towards technology-based ordering systems. By redeploying restaurant staff towards food production, restaurants are able to utilize technology to enhance the ordering experience for customers. This includes features such as kiosks, mobile apps, and customized ordering options. Customers are taking advantage of these capabilities to have more control over their orders and to avoid feeling rushed when ordering from a person. While labor hasn't disappeared, it has been redistributed within the restaurant.
Future Trends in Drive-Through Experiences
The podcast explores upcoming trends in drive-through experiences. One trend being tested is the implementation of voice AI in the drive-through, allowing for more efficient and automated interactions with customers. Another trend is the increasing adoption of kiosk experiences, which have been around for some time but are now being more widely embraced. Additionally, restaurants are experimenting with drive-through and pickup environments that feature multiple lanes, specific mobile ordering points, and other strategies to improve efficiency and convenience for customers.
Utilizing Technology to Reduce Mistakes and Enhance Worker Experience
The podcast highlights how technology is being used to decrease order mistakes and enhance the worker experience. Restaurants are implementing camera-based car recognition technology to track orders and ensure they are delivered to the correct car. This technology helps reduce errors and provides valuable data for evaluating the efficiency of new strategies. By automating certain tasks, technology aims to simplify the work of restaurant staff and improve overall job satisfaction. These advancements are driven by both the behavioral shifts caused by the pandemic and the need to compete for workers in a tight labor market.
Christopher Siefken, Global Head of Technology at Xenial, discusses seeing a shift in how people order and consume food from quick service restaurants.
Hosts: Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec. Producer: Paul Brennan.