Presto Counts 13 QSR Franchisee Groups Using Its AI-Based Ordering System

Presto Automation Inc., a provider of artificial intelligence-based voice-ordering systems for quick service restaurants with drive-through windows, announced it now has deals with 13 QSR franchise groups that own and operate more than 500 locations nationwide.

All 13 groups have committed to begin deploying Presto Voice, Presto’s Presto’s in-house, proprietary drive-thru automation solution.

Presto Voice uses conversational AI, which learns and adapts to human speech patterns using data, machine learning, and natural-language processing to create a human-like conversation. As a result, customers do not have to modify their speech patterns to interact with the software, Presto says Presto Voice fully automates orders placed at the drive-though window, which reduces the need for staff to take orders.

QSRs using Presto Voice have seen incremental check sizes increase up to 6%, and a four-fold increase in upselling compared to human order takers, the company says. Presto estimates the market for ordering technology for the QSR drive-through market in the United States to be $2.25 billion.

“We’ve achieved notable traction with franchise operators over the past several months, and we look forward to generating widespread adoption of our Voice AI solution at these drive-through locations,” Presto president Dan Mosher says in a statement. “We look forward to growing our partnership with some of the largest and most successful QSR brands and their franchisees as we continue working together.”

In January, San Carlos, Calif.-based Presto announced an agreement with Del Taco LLC, a Lake Forest, California-based Mexican quick-service restaurant chain, to roll out Presto Voice. At the time, Del Taco, which operates more than 600 locations, half of which are franchisee-owned, was the second QSR chain signed by Presto.