It’s no secret the food delivery service has exploded in the last couple of years. And it continues to boom with the market expected to reach $12.5 billion at the end of 2023. One of the key drivers for this growth is artificial intelligence (AI). And it’s not just being used for food delivery. From inventory management and improved customer service and menu optimization, businesses are embracing the benefits of AI. So, how can you fully leverage it to your advantage?
[Source: LinkedIn How AI is Changing the Food Delivery Market in the US, Canada, and Europe. Article May 18, 2023.]
- Spice up item descriptions.
As you know, it’s incredibly important for businesses to make sure your offerings sound as appealing as possible. For those who could use a bit of help in that department, there are some helpful (free) platforms, like ChatGPT, that can help you add a little oomph to your descriptions. They can even help you write them in the right tone. For example, if you have a boating-themed restaurant, they can help you put a nautical spin on the descriptions to make them a little more fun.
- Kick customer service up a notch.
Though the chatbot trend is nothing new, its use in the foodservice industry is quickly picking up steam. Businesses can use this clever tech on their websites to answer FAQs, make reservations, show the menu to potential customers, and even take orders. It can also deliver helpful analytics and learnings for owners to help track performance and make any necessary improvements to their offerings.
The latest in chatbot tech, Air, is the world’s first ever AI that can have full-on 10-40 minute long conversations that sound like a real human. It can basically work like an agent minus the training, 24/7/365, leaving you more time to focus on everything else.
- Tap into the power of personalization.
Another way AI is revolutionizing the foodservice industry is its incredible ability to personalize customer experiences. And that just so happens to be what consumers want more of these days, with 73% of shoppers expecting brands to understand their unique needs and expectations. Using data collected from customer interactions, AI can do things like make personalized recommendations based on past orders or dietary restrictions.
Canadian company, UEAT, uses AI technology that allows businesses to create personalized online ordering experiences for customers to help maximize profits.
[Source: Salesforce. Fifth Edition State of the Connected Customer. Article. May 13, 2022
- Serve up some self-serve.
With an increase in both staffing shortages and the desire for contactless experiences, businesses are now using AI to improve order accuracy and create a seamless experience for customers. Back in 2019, McDonald’s embraced AI technology by investing in touch-screen kiosks to allow customers to conveniently place their own orders. Through the ordering process, AI algorithms suggest complementary items, automating the upselling process and improving the dining experience overall.
Interestingly enough, UEAT also helps businesses offer a more personalized experience for in-store customers. Their self-ordering kiosk rentals can help reduce labour costs, increase efficiency, and up those upselling opportunities, starting at just $9/day.
[Source: Analytics Vidhya. Revolutionizing Restaurants: The Power of AI in Food Service Blog July 3, 2023]
- Manage, minimize, and monitor inventory.
AI programs can also help you streamline your processes and manage your inventory. This kind of info tracking helps minimize food waste and ensures everything is fresh before it’s served, not to mention it can provide considerable food cost savings on account of constant monitoring.
Using tools like xtraCHEF can help you better manage your inventory, streamline your accounting processes, and improve operations all around.
- Schedule staff smarter.
It’s no shock that staffing and scheduling is one of the trickiest parts of any business. It can also be incredibly time-consuming. By using AI-enabled software, like Lineup.ai, you can optimize employee work schedules so you have the coverage you need, and nothing more. It makes sure the right people are getting the right shifts based on the volume of your business, and it also makes everyone’s life easier by ensuring time is being used efficiently.
As AI becomes more affordable and accessible, it can be a great ally for your business. Not only will it help improve customer relationships and internal operations, it’ll free up more of your time so you can concentrate on other business-building tactics.
