Domino’s, Microsoft partner to bring AI to restaurants, online ordering

Dive Brief:

Domino’s has partnered with Microsoft to use generative AI technology and cloud computing to improve ordering and restaurant operations, the companies said in a press release Tuesday.
The companies will use Microsoft Cloud and Azure OpenAI Service to enhance the ordering process with personalization and simplification.
The two companies will work together over the next five years and Domino’s expects to begin piloting generative AI technology for stores and customers within the next six months.

Dive Insight:

Domino’s said it has already been working with data and AI to create more simplistic and robust restaurant operations.

For example, some operators are using AI-enabled technology to start preparing pizzas before the customer completes their online order, CEO Russel Weiner said during the company's August earnings call. Some of Domino’s units have also been dispatching pizzas to drivers before they return to stores. This allows for quicker delivery since drivers no longer have to waste time finding a parking spot at the restaurant.

Domino’s is currently in the “early stages of developing a generative AI assistant powered by Azure OpenAI Service to help store managers save time on daily tasks such as inventory management, ingredient ordering and staff scheduling,” per the release. These tools are expected to improve pizza preparation and quality control, leaving managers more time to dedicate to the team member experience and customer service.

As part of this partnership, Domino’s and Microsoft will create an innovation lab, in which companies’ leaders will work with engineers to accelerate the rollout of smart store and ordering innovations, the companies said. Both firms said they are also “committed to responsible AI practices that protect customer data and privacy.”

Domino’s has long been exploring technology to improve operations. In 2019, it opened its Innovation Garage in Michigan to focus on piloting technologies like ordering kiosks, GPS delivery technology, autonomous delivery vehicles and the company’s AnyWare ordering tech. A few months after opening this center, the company rolled out a GPS delivery tracker to help improve delivery times. The company previously tested autonomous delivery vehicles in select markets. This year, the company rolled out Pinpoint Delivery where customers can put a pin on a map and have pizza delivered to that location.