White Castle, the popular burger joint, has announced plans to revolutionize its drive-thru experience by installing voice AI technology in over 100 locations nationwide. With the introduction of this cutting-edge system, White Castle aims to enhance both speed and accuracy, providing customers with a seamless ordering process.
Partnering with SoundHound, an independent voice AI platform, White Castle expects this move to not only improve customer satisfaction but also lower labor costs and increase revenue. The voice AI technology boasts a remarkable 90 percent order completion rate, reducing order errors and ensuring quicker service. With average orders completed within just 60 seconds, White Castle aims to deliver consistent, reliable, and always-on performance.
The innovative voice AI system will be a complete end-to-end solution, eliminating the need for human assistance. It relies solely on intelligent automation to provide fast, accurate, scalable, and consistent service. Furthermore, the technology can be utilized across various channels, such as kiosks, phones, and multiple locations.
Keyvan Mohajer, Co-Founder and CEO of SoundHound, expressed his excitement about this technological advancement. We know that AI is going to be a keystone of the restaurant of the future, and we’re delighted to take another step towards that by bringing our deep AI knowledge to even more locations, he said.
SoundHound conducted a study revealing that over 60 percent of customers are already comfortable using an automated voice assistant at a drive-thru. The majority of AI skeptics are even willing to use an automated voice assistant if it speeds up the ordering process. Additionally, the study found that long lines at the drive-thru and incorrect orders were the two major pain points for customers, with 57 percent and 52 percent of respondents respectively expressing frustration with these issues.
This isn’t White Castle’s first foray into AI technology. In 2020, the fast food chain experimented with AI through partnerships with Mastercard Shop Anywhere and AI-Powered Drive Through. SoundHound provided voice recognition capabilities, while Rekor Systems offered vehicle recognition. Moreover, White Castle introduced the robot Flippy 2 at over 100 locations to alleviate pressure on the cooks without replacing them.
By implementing voice AI technology in their drive-thrus, White Castle is poised to transform the ordering experience for its customers. With a focus on speed, accuracy, and customer satisfaction, this move reflects the company’s commitment to embracing the restaurant of the future. With streamlined processes and reduced order errors, White Castle continues to innovate and deliver exceptional service to its loyal customers.
