We’re in the era of technology where just about everything can be ordered or booked online. From groceries to flights, it’s all at our fingertips and part of the digital transformation. So, it’s no surprise that voice ordering for restaurants is becoming increasingly popular, especially amongst Millennials

If you’re a restaurant manager or owner, there’s a good chance you’ve heard about voice ordering. This relatively new technology allows customers to place orders using only their voices and a voice technology-enabled device.

If you’re looking to up your customer service game, adding voice ordering to your restaurant offerings might be a good place to start. But is voice ordering for restaurants right for your business?

While voice ordering may sound intimidating, it doesn’t have to be. There are some essential facts you should know before deciding whether or not to adopt it.

Voice Ordering for Restaurants

Voice ordering for restaurants is a technology that allows consumers to place an order at food establishments using their voice and a smartphone, tablet, or other device. They can place an order through an app, a dedicated ordering device, or even a voice-activated assistant like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.

Voice ordering can be particularly convenient for customers on the go who may not have time to place an order through traditional means such as brick and mortar locations, desktop websites, or apps. Thus, voice ordering reduces wait times at busy restaurants.

Voice ordering for restaurants is becoming increasingly popular. 64% of adults are interested in using voice AI to order food (voicebot.ai). It offers a more convenient way to place dine-in orders, takeout orders, curbside pick up, and group or catering sales. Customers can place their orders without waiting in line or interacting with a busy restaurant server or waitress.

How Does Voice Ordering for Restaurants Work?

Voice ordering for restaurants is an excellent option for businesses that want to take advantage of restaurant technology, reduce costs, and generate profits faster.

Here’s how it works:

1. Customers call the restaurant and are greeted by an interactive voice response (IVR) system. IVR is a technology that allows humans to interact with a computer-operated phone system using dual-tone multi-frequency tones and spoken words.
2. They are then prompted to place their order by speaking into the phone.
3. The IVR system captures their order on-premise and sends it to the restaurant’s POS system (see on premise vs off premise software).
4. The POS system generates a bill, and the customer can pay by credit card, eCommerce payment gateway providers, or other payment processing companies.
5. Once the order is placed, it is sent to the kitchen, where it is prepared for pickup or delivery via online ordering apps.

Advantages of Implementing Voice Ordering

If you’re looking for a way to improve your restaurant KPIs, customer service, and efficiency, you may consider implementing voice ordering for restaurants.

Here are some of the advantages of doing so:

Conversational Interfaces

Voice ordering for restaurants provide a more natural and conversational interface than traditional ordering methods, making it easier and faster for customers to place their orders.

In addition, voice ordering for restaurants helps reduce errors often made when inputting data manually into a computer system. When customers can simply speak their order, there is less room for error. This can save businesses time and money by reducing the number of incorrect orders that need to be corrected or refunded.

Personalized Voice Experiences

Voice ordering for restaurants offers personalized voice experiences, which creates a more customized ordering experience for your customers based on their individual preferences. For example, if a customer typically orders the same item every time, you can use voice AI to suggest that item as their default option.

You can also add customer specific options, such as allowing a customer to choose their preferred products, delivery times, or even specific dietary requirements. By offering these customized experiences, you can make sure that your customers are getting exactly what they want and need – and that they keep coming back to your business.

Personalized voice ordering experiences can create a more loyal customer base by providing convenience and value that they won’t find at your competitors.

Reduced Wait Times

By allowing customers to place orders with a voice assistant, there will be no need to wait in line or for a server to become available. This cuts down the time needed to take an order which usually takes 5-10 minutes, thus increasing efficiency.

Increased Accuracy of Orders

Customers can take their time dictating their order details without feeling rushed, which can help ensure that they get exactly what they want. This reduces the chances of human error when taking orders. This could lead to fewer mistakes and a smoother running business overall.

Reduced Operational Costs

Chatbots may save businesses up to $0.70 for each customer interaction (CNBC).

Voice ordering for restaurants can help reduce your operational costs by automating specific tasks, such as taking orders and processing payments. By automating the ordering process, restaurants can save on labor cost.

Increased Sales Through Upselling

Voice-based systems can help upsell (see how to upsell) by suggesting add-ons or side dishes. For example, if a customer orders a burger, the system could suggest adding fries or drinks.

Consistent Brand Experiences

Implementing voice ordering for restaurants across all locations can help create consistent brand experiences for customers. Regardless of which restaurant they visit, customers will be able to use the same voice ordering system and have a similar experience. This can help build customer loyalty and trust in the brand.

Inclusive and Accessible

Voice ordering for restaurants can be used by people with disabilities who find it challenging to use traditional ordering methods or are unable to. This makes restaurants more inclusive and accessible to all.

The Impact of Voice AI on Consumer Ordering Behavior

Voice AI is rapidly changing the landscape of consumer ordering behavior, and restaurants are starting to notice. It is changing the food ordering process in a variety of ways.

For example, customers can now use voice-activated assistants to call up a restaurant and order their favorite dishes. This process cuts down the time it takes to place an order, making it more efficient for customers and restaurants.

Additionally, voice AI may learn from a customer’s prior orders, making it simpler to reorder their favorite meals. This function benefits busy consumers who don’t have the time or don’t want to look for their desired meal through a restaurant’s table d’hote menu or other types of menu.

Whether or not to adopt voice AI technology is up to each business. However, those who choose to use voice AI should keep an eye on how it affects consumer ordering behavior. Doing so will help ensure that restaurants can maximize the benefits of this new technology.

Frequently Asked Questions About Voice Ordering for Restaurants

What Is a Voice Order?

A voice order is an ordering system that enables customers to place orders via voice call. The restaurant and hospitality industry, for example, frequently uses verbal orders since it is difficult and inconvenient to take written orders.

Voice orders are generally quicker and easier than written orders and can be a convenient way to place an order. When placing a voice order, it is important to speak clearly and somewhat slowly.

This will make your voice assistant understand what you are saying and prevent mistakes. It is also important to be specific about what you want. For example, if you are ordering a pizza, you should specify the type of pizza, the size, and any toppings you like.

What Are the Types of Voice Assistants?

There are four main types of voice assistants: smart speakers, virtual assistants, chatbots, and digital assistants.

Smart speakers are devices that are designed to be used with a voice assistant. They usually come equipped with a microphone and speaker and can be controlled with voice commands. The most popular smart speaker on the market is the Amazon Echo, which houses the virtual assistant Alexa.

Virtual assistants are software programs that are designed to perform tasks or provide information upon request. They are commonly used on smartphones and similar devices and can be activated with voice commands. The most popular virtual assistant is Siri, built into Apple devices.

Chatbots are computer programs that simulate human conversation. They are commonly used to provide customer support or to promote a product or service. The most popular chatbot is Microsoft’s Zo.

Digital assistants are software programs that provide personal assistance, such as scheduling appointments or sending emails. They are typically used on devices such as smartphones and computers.

The most popular digital assistant was Google Now. Google Now’s branding no longer publicly appears, but the same function remains in the Google app and its Discover tab.

Restaurant Voice Ordering Is Untapped Technology

Voice ordering for restaurants is a work in progress, and there are plenty of ways to improve it. But we all know that the restaurant industry has seen its fair share of technological advances, and many restaurant tech companies have worked out irregularities.

It’s easy enough to point our fingers at any number of potential issues with voice ordering. However, you can bet that many food service professionals have already considered those concerns and are requesting new features from tech companies.

Voice ordering for restaurants isn’t merely a gimmick; restaurants need to move away from systems that require customers to be physically present in an increasingly on-demand world. While everyone should understand the public’s concerns over security and reliability, these innovations hold potential for streamlining customer service operations, ultimately benefiting both customers and businesses.