The Rise of A.I Automation in Quick Service Restaurants

As someone who’s been brought up in the restaurant industry, I’ve seen trends come and go, but automation and A.I autonation is one of the few innovations that feels like it’s here to stay. Especially in the quick service restaurant (QSR) industry, where speed, efficiency, and cost management are critical, automation is quickly becoming a game changer.

Whether it’s self-service kiosks or AI-powered inventory management, QSRs are finding ways to reduce labor costs, streamline operations, and boost revenue. 

I remember when we started experimenting with simple tech—just to improve order accuracy. Now, we’re looking at robots making full pizza’s and AI Phone Systems having full blown conversations with customers. If you’re a QSR owner, now’s the time to consider automating your business.

What is Restaurant Automation?

At its core, restaurant automation refers to the use of technology to perform tasks that were traditionally done manually. This can range from automated order-taking systems, like self-service kiosks, to kitchen robots that can prepare food, and AI tools that predict customer behaviour.

Automation doesn’t mean replacing your team—it means freeing them up for more valuable tasks. Your staff can focus on what matters most: customer experience and quality control, rather than mundane, repetitive work.

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Why Automation is Crucial for Quick Service Restaurants

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1. Labour Costs are Rising

It’s no secret that labour costs are one of the biggest expenses for restaurant owners. Minimum wages are rising, and hiring and retaining staff is tougher than ever. The more time you spend juggling schedules and payroll, the less time you have to focus on growing your business.

Automation can fill in the gaps by taking over tasks like order processing, food prep, and even customer service through AI-driven chatbots or phone systems. For example, self-ordering kiosks can reduce the need for front-of-house staff, while robots can handle repetitive kitchen tasks like frying or grilling, cutting down on the need for line cooks.

A couple of months ago, we started using automated order kiosks at all of our locations. At first, I was hesitant because I was worried about customer pushback. But to my surprise, the kiosks not only improved order accuracy but also allowed my staff to focus on customer service, leading to higher satisfaction and tips. Labor costs a went down too since I didn’t need as many cashiers.

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2. Increased Efficiency = Higher Revenue

When things run smoothly, you can serve more customers, faster. Automation reduces bottlenecks in the kitchen, at the register, and even in delivery coordination. This means faster service and happier customers, which translates to higher revenue. 

Imagine this: an AI-driven system automatically routes incoming orders to the kitchen based on prep time, predicts the rush hours, and helps you manage your team more efficiently. You’re no longer dealing with manual errors or downtime during peak hours because the system optimises for every second.

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Key Areas to Automate in Your QSR

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1. Order Taking with Kiosks and Mobile Apps

Installing self-service kiosks or offering mobile ordering apps allows customers to place their orders without needing staff assistance. This not only reduces errors but also frees up staff to handle more complicated tasks.

Action Tip: Start by installing just a few kiosks or offering a mobile app, and see how your customers respond. You’ll be surprised how quickly they adapt. This approach also allows you to maintain personal customer service while slowly introducing automation.

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2. AI for Inventory Management

AI can now predict when you’ll run out of ingredients based on sales patterns and automatically place orders with suppliers. This means fewer shortages and over-ordering, which saves money and reduces food waste. For a QSR, where inventory turnover is fast and margins are tight, this is invaluable.

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3. Automated Scheduling Tools

Instead of spending hours each week trying to build the perfect employee schedule, why not automate it? Scheduling tools can optimize shifts based on staff availability and forecasted busy times. This leads to happier employees and fewer no-shows.

Action Tip: Use an automated scheduling tool that integrates with your payroll system to save time on both scheduling and payroll processing.

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4. Robotic Food Preparation

From burger-flipping robots to automated pizza makers, robotics in food prep is becoming more common. This can help you speed up service and reduce the chance of human error in the kitchen. Robots also work consistently, ensuring a standardized product for every customer.

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5. AI Phone Answering Systems: Never Miss a Call Again

One area where quick service restaurants often lose revenue is through missed phone calls—whether it’s a customer trying to place an order, make a reservation, or inquire about a large event. That’s where AI-powered phone answering systems come into play. These systems can handle a variety of calls, uspell customers and raise AOV, answer frequently asked questions, take orders, and even route complex calls to the right team member, all without requiring human intervention.

At CERTUS AI (certus-ai.com), we’ve developed AI phone systems specifically for restaurants. These systems not only answer calls but integrate with your POS to handle orders and reservations seamlessly. This means that no potential order or booking ever slips through the cracks, even during your busiest hours.

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Action Steps to Start Automating Your QSR

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1. Evaluate Your Current Processes: Identify repetitive tasks that could be automated. This could be anything from taking orders to managing inventory.

2. Choose the Right Tools: Not all automation solutions are a one-size-fits-all. Make sure to invest in the right tools that fit your restaurant’s needs. You might not need a burger-flipping robot right now, but a scheduling app could be the game-changer.

3. Start Small and Scale: Automation can feel overwhelming, but you don’t need to automate everything at once. Start with one or two systems, and expand as you see the benefits.

4. Train Your Team: Automation doesn’t mean you’re eliminating jobs; you’re simply shifting responsibilities. Train your staff to work alongside the technology, so they see it as a tool, not a threat.

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Final Thoughts

Automation is no longer a luxury in the QSR world—it’s becoming a necessity. By automating routine tasks, you can reduce labor costs, increase efficiency, and drive revenue growth. If you’re feeling hesitant, just remember: it’s all about finding the balance between technology and the human touch. The quicker you adopt these innovations, the faster you’ll see the benefits in your bottom line.

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