AI Revolutionizes Fast Food: From Voice Agents to Self-Ordering Kiosks

As of June 13, 2025, Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) are increasingly integrating advanced technologies like AI-enabled touchpoints, smart displays, and self-service kiosks to meet consumer demands for convenience, value, and personalized dining experiences.

Enhancing Customer Experience with AI

In 2025, QSRs are adopting various AI-driven technologies to improve the dining experience:

• Self-Service Kiosks: 84% of U.S. consumers prefer using self-service kiosks, with 66% favoring them over ordering with an employee. These kiosks allow customers to order privately and efficiently, leading to larger average order sizes and reduced wait times.
• Voice AI Agents: AI-powered voice assistants are transforming customer interactions, enabling hands-free ordering, reservations, and inquiries. These agents enhance service efficiency and customer satisfaction.
• Smart Displays and AI-Enabled Touchpoints: Digital menu boards and mobile headsets with AI noise cancellation help ensure accurate order processing, even in challenging environments, by transcribing orders automatically and reducing confusion.

Optimizing Operations Behind the Scenes

AI is also streamlining back-of-house operations:

• Smart Displays in Kitchens: These displays enhance coordination among employees, preventing ordering errors and speeding up service, contributing to a more positive work environment.
• AI-Driven Operational Tools: Platforms like Ovation's "Goals" use AI to analyze customer feedback, set improvement targets, and assign actionable tasks to staff, leading to enhanced operational efficiency.

The Importance of Thoughtful Implementation

While AI offers significant benefits, its success depends on thoughtful implementation and clear communication:

• Customer Education: It's crucial to clearly communicate the benefits of new technologies to customers. Transparent communication helps manage expectations and fosters trust.
• Employee Training: Providing employees with the necessary tools and training ensures they can effectively utilize AI technologies to enhance service quality.

Key Highlights:

• AI Employees and Non-Human Workers like self-service kiosks and Voice AI Agents are becoming widespread in quick service restaurants (QSRs) as of 2025.
• Self-Service Kiosks are favored by 84% of U.S. consumers, with 66% preferring them over human order-takers, improving privacy, speed, and increasing average order size.
• Voice AI Agents enable hands-free, efficient ordering and customer interaction, enhancing service and reducing errors.
• Smart Displays and AI-enabled touchpoints help ensure accurate order taking even in noisy environments through AI noise cancellation and automatic transcription.
• Back-of-house operations benefit from AI-driven tools like smart kitchen displays and platforms analyzing customer feedback to improve staff performance and operational efficiency.
• Successful AI adoption depends on clear customer communication and employee training to maximize benefits and build trust.
• Overall, AI is reshaping both customer experience and restaurant operations, making fast food faster, more personalized, and more efficient.

Reference:

https://www.qsrweb.com/blogs/how-the-latest-technology-ai-are-transforming-fast-food-dining/