Meeting customer expectations both quickly and efficiently, especially in high-demand areas like New York City, has become a key part of finding success in the restaurant industry. For restaurant owners who are focused on optimizing every part of their operation, artificial intelligence is becoming a significant asset.
Restaurants today face mounting pressure to provide a smooth ordering experience, minimize wait times, and make sure each customer interaction meets high standards.
At the forefront of this change is SoundHound AI, a leader in voice-driven artificial intelligence that is helping some of the country’s top restaurant brands redefine their customer service with advanced AI ordering solutions.
SoundHound’s smart ordering AI technology processes millions of customer interactions, so restaurants can provide faster, more accurate, and consistent ordering experiences that cater to the needs of busy urban areas like NYC, where every moment counts.
The Power of Smart Ordering AI for High-Demand Restaurant Markets
Customers dining in New York City and other similar fast-paced urban areas, often expect quick service and easy ordering. Unfortunately, traditional phone ordering systems can often struggle to keep up, especially during peak hours when employees are stretched thin.
With SoundHound’s AI phone ordering, however, the technology fundamentally changes how restaurants manage customer interactions, providing greater accuracy and speed than a traditional system might allow.
Steve Bigari, SoundHound’s EVP of AI for Restaurants, highlights this shift, calling AI phone ordering a “critical part of restaurant operations.”
AI-powered ordering systems can manage a high volume of calls, provide take-out and delivery orders, and respond to basic questions, freeing up restaurant staff to focus on in-store dining experiences. This also helps restaurants avoid the two most common hitches to their service — long wait times on phones and miscommunication on orders.
In addition to ordering capabilities, the AI from SoundHound can be integrated into virtually any restaurant point-of-sale system, making reorderability of items and even pay-by-phone functionality much easier for customers.
How SoundHound’s AI Smart Ordering Works
SoundHound’s Smart Ordering AI has been built to take control of many features involved in restaurant ordering with greater efficiency.
This smart system manages carryout, curbside, and delivery orders by integrating directly into the restaurant point-of-sale system without the need for any intervention by staff.
And it is also designed to handle reorders with greater speed for returning customers. For example, it may recognize repeating diners with established preferences and reordering patterns to assist in loyalty program integration, which can encourage customer retention through a personalized experience.
This level of functionality helps restaurants build stronger customer relationships.
Apart from ordering, its AI is capable of responding to basic questions such as those regarding hours of operation, parking, or menu items.
By automating the process for the staff, the system cuts back on labor and minimizes the possibility of a missed call or a delayed reaction to a customer, which impacts customer satisfaction directly.
SoundHound’s Expanding AI Capabilities
SoundHound’s vision for transforming restaurant operations goes well beyond phone ordering.
With its acquisition of SYNQ3 and Amelia, the company has broadened its AI offerings to support a wider range of customer interactions, making it a versatile solution for the entire dining experience.
These acquisitions help SoundHound provide omnichannel support, including guest relations, IT, and catering. As many restaurant owners can attest, while crucial, these areas are often difficult to manage with traditional resources alone.
SYNQ3 had already long stood out as a leader in phone-based ordering services. After its $25 million acquisition, SoundHound was able to bolster its already robust AI phone ordering capabilities.
Meanwhile, the company’s Amelia acquisition has allowed it to expand into conversational AI for other key touchpoints, such as customer service and support across digital and in-person interactions. Amelia was the winner of the XCelent Advanced Technology 2024 Award for retail banking solutions, though it is now offering more advanced AI support for major restaurant chains like Jersey Mike’s, Chipotle, Applebee’s, Casey’s General Stores, Habit Burger, Beef O’Brady’s, Noodles & Company, and more.
With these enhancements, SoundHound’s AI is now positioned to handle everything from taking reservations and answering guest inquiries to assisting with catering orders, IT support, and even guest feedback collection.
The Challenges of AI Voice Ordering
As with any new technology, AI voice ordering systems like SoundHound’s do not come without any challenges.
Accurate speech recognition can be complex, especially in high-traffic areas like NYC, where accent diversity and ambient noise are prevalent.
AI technology developers are still working on solutions for advanced speech recognition algorithms and noise cancellation technology, which can enhance a system’s ability to process orders correctly.
Additionally, handling complex menu items and customized orders requires equally complex Natural Language Processing (NLP) that’s optimized to interpret nuanced requests.
Of course, one of the biggest concerns for companies like SoundHound is ensuring integration with existing POS systems, which has to be addressed using thorough testing and compatibility checks.
The Future of AI in Restaurant Ordering
AI-driven ordering is setting the standard for what restaurant service can become. As demand grows for efficient, customer-centered service, AI technology is primed to play an essential role.
SoundHound’s vision for smart ordering is one where advanced AI is not merely an add-on but a foundational element of the restaurant experience, making ordering faster, customer support more responsive, and restaurant operations more streamlined. This vision aligns with EMERGING’s strategic goal of connecting restaurant operators with cutting-edge technologies that redefine the possibilities for growth and customer engagement.
As a growth equity firm with a focus on restaurant technology and innovation, EMERGING has long been committed to innovation in the restaurant sector. As the industry becomes increasingly digital-first, embracing AI solutions provides a competitive advantage that enables restaurants to deliver the consistent, responsive, and enjoyable experiences diners seek.
Get in touch with us here at EMERGING to see how you can invest in groundbreaking AI technologies and look forward to a future of scalable, efficient operations.
