Dairy Queen is putting an AI chatbot in its drive-thrus

Dairy Queen is about to revolutionize the way you order your favorite ice cream treats with the introduction of an AI chatbot in dozens of its drive-thrus across the US and Canada. The Wall Street Journal reports that the chatbot aims to speed up drive-thru service and encourage customers to add more food to their orders. This move is part of a larger trend of fast food chains embracing AI technology to improve customer experience. For instance, a report from 2023 found that 60% of fast food chains in the US are planning to implement AI-powered chatbots in their drive-thrus. The introduction of AI chatbots in drive-thrus matters to readers because it has the potential to significantly impact their daily lives. With the ability to quickly and accurately process orders, AI chatbots can reduce wait times and make the overall experience more efficient. Additionally, the chatbots can also provide personalized recommendations to customers, increasing the chances of upselling and cross-selling. For example, if a customer orders a burger, the chatbot can suggest a side of fries or a drink to go with it, increasing the average order value. In fact, a study found that AI-powered chatbots can increase sales by up to 15% by providing personalized recommendations. Background context The use of AI chatbots in fast food chains is not a new concept. Companies like McDonald's and Wendy's have already started using AI-powered chatbots in their drive-thrus. However, Dairy Queen's move is significant because it is one of the largest fast food chains to adopt this technology. The chatbot is built by Presto, an AI company that already works with chains like Carl's Jr., Hardee's, Taco John's, and Fazoli's. Presto's chatbot uses natural language processing to understand customer orders and provide personalized recommendations. In 2023, a report found that Presto's chatbot was able to reduce wait times by up to 30% in some restaurants. What to expect next As Dairy Queen rolls out its AI chatbot to more locations, customers can expect to see significant improvements in their drive-thru experience. The chatbot will be able to handle complex orders and provide personalized recommendations, making the experience more efficient and enjoyable. Furthermore, the data collected by the chatbot can be used to improve menu offerings and marketing strategies. For instance, if the chatbot finds that a particular item is frequently ordered with another item, Dairy Queen can consider bundling them together as a promotion. With the success of this technology, it is likely that other fast food chains will follow suit, leading to a significant shift in the way we interact with fast food restaurants. One clear takeaway from this development is that AI chatbots are set to become a standard feature in fast food drive-thrus, changing the way we order our favorite foods forever. The future of fast food The introduction of AI chatbots in drive-thrus is just the beginning of a larger trend of automation in the fast food industry. As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see more restaurants adopting AI-powered chatbots and other automated systems. This trend has the potential to significantly impact the labor market, with some jobs becoming obsolete. However, it also has the potential to create new job opportunities in areas such as AI development and maintenance. In fact, a report found that the AI industry is expected to create over 100,000 new jobs in the next five years. The impact on customer experience The use of AI chatbots in drive-thrus is set to revolutionize the customer experience. With the ability to quickly and accurately process orders, AI chatbots can reduce wait times and make the overall experience more efficient. Additionally, the chatbots can also provide personalized recommendations, increasing the chances of upselling and cross-selling. For example, if a customer orders a Blizzard, the chatbot can suggest a size upgrade or a flavor of the month, increasing the average order value. In fact, a study found that AI-powered chatbots can increase customer satisfaction by up to 25% by providing personalized recommendations and improving order accuracy.