Protein-packed meals, more sweet and spicy sauces, and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). These are the top three trends to look out for in the quick service restaurant (QSR) industry this year, according to McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski. The first two may not come as a surprise. But AI? That’s where things get interesting.
From speeding up kitchen operations to reimagining how customers order their food, AI is fast becoming a key ingredient in the QSR experience.
Let’s take a closer look at how AI in fast food is already making a difference and where it might take us next.
Smarter ordering with AI
Drive-thrus continue to be a popular way for customers to get their food quickly. Now, there’s a way to upgrade that experience with AI-powered voice assistants that can:
- Understand natural speech and local dialects, even with background noise
- Take multiple orders at once
- Cut down on errors
- Speed up service
Big fast-food chains are already testing these systems. In some cases, customers don’t even realize they’re speaking to a bot; that’s how natural the conversation feels. For example, fast food chains like Wendy's have been exploring adding AI voice assistants in their drive-thrus. These systems are meant to take orders efficiently, reduce wait times, and minimize errors, helping staff focus on food preparation while improving the overall customer experience.
Dynamic menus that adapt in real time
More QSRs are replacing static menu boards with digital displays. Some are going beyond that with AI-powered digital menus that respond to what’s happening in the moment, not just simply following a preset schedule. These smart systems adjust based on:
- Time of day: breakfast specials in the morning, value meals at lunch
- Weather: refreshing drinks on hot days, comfort food when it’s cold
- Inventory: removing out-of-stock items and promoting high-margin meals
Canadian coffee and fast-food chain Tim Hortons have been rolling out AI-powered digital menus across some of their locations, which can tailor promotions not just based on time of day and weather conditions, but on local preferences as well. These options could be anything from breakfast combos during the morning rush, or a hot beverage during a cold front. With this level of personalization, quick service restaurants can improve the customer experience by showing timely, relevant options. And for restaurants, it results in less waste and more revenue – a win on both sides of the counter.
Chatbots offer new ways to interact
Not everyone wants to wait to speak to a person, especially for a simple question or repeat order. AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants can help with this friction and are being integrated into apps, kiosks, and websites across QSRs, giving customers new ways to:
- Place orders
- Ask about ingredients or allergens
- Check their loyalty points
Chatbots provide fast, accurate responses without putting pressure on employees. And because they’re available 24/7, they help restaurants stay connected with customers even outside business hours. For fast-food chains with multiple locations, this kind of scalable customer service could prove invaluable. Even as you grow, it keeps the brand's voice consistent and lessens the burden on front-line staff.
AI boosts efficiency and accuracy behind the counter
AI isn’t just changing the customer experience. Behind the scenes, it’s helping QSR operators make faster, smarter decisions. With predictive analytics, restaurants can:
- Anticipate and plan for busy periods
- Optimize staffing based on expected traffic
- Cut down on food waste by forecasting inventory needs more accurately
Some chains are considering AI to help fine-tune their inventory, staffing and food prep at the local level. This helps restaurants to get the right staffing levels depending on the time of day, make cost-effective decisions, and be sure that the kitchen is always ready, no matter how many customers come through the door.
Automation in the kitchen
AI is also powering kitchen automation, helping fast food chains improve speed, accuracy, and consistency. From smart fryers that adjust cook times based on order volume to AI-powered systems that predict demand and prep ingredients accordingly, kitchens are becoming more efficient and less reliant on manual oversight. AI robotics are already proving useful for handling repetitive kitchen tasks like:
- Frying
- Flipping burgers
- Assembling ingredients and orders.
By automating these processes, restaurants can be sure they’re delivering consistent quality and, at the same time, free up staff to focus on customer service and hospitality because it can be programmed to deliver the exact same output every time.
Looking ahead to hyper personalization and smarter food prep
Used in the right ways, AI in restaurants has the potential to create a better, more inviting experience for customers without feeling robotic. Orders are more accurate, wait times are shorter, offers feel more relevant, and staff get to spend less time fixing problems and more time connecting with guests.
This technology is evolving fast and getting better all the time, and future developments are expected to bring even more personalization and efficiency. Innovations on the horizon include:
- Menus that adapt to individual dietary needs or preferences
- Ordering experiences enhanced by voice, augmented reality, or emotion recognition
- Smart, automated kitchens with integrated AI that adjusts and optimizes production in real time.
These capabilities are already being explored by early adopters, and as they mature, they’ll become more accessible to restaurants of all sizes.
When integrated with restaurant management systems like LS Central, AI will increasingly feel like a natural part of how fast-food restaurants run. Contact us and discover how you can start transforming your own restaurant customer experience.
