Dive Brief:
- Donatos Pizza will use Revmo AI for its artificial intelligence ordering system to automate phone orders, the company said in a Monday press release.
- The company will stop using DoorDash AI’s automated order features at the end of April and will roll out Revmo AI’s tech to its 174 restaurants by May.
- Donatos expects its Revmo AI deployment to improve the guest experience and yield higher order conversions that will ultimately boost systemwide revenue.
Dive Insight:
Automation is a key Donatos strategy under CEO Kevin King, who was promoted to the top executive post in October. Donatos will continue to lean into technology that can help boost efficiency and engagement, while emphasizing AI and menu innovation to increase frequency, the company said in a March press release. The chain sees automation as a way to offload routine tasks from employees, allowing them to focus more on hospitality.
Revmo’s AI system is being fully integrated into the chain’s point-of-sale platform. The technology can handle complex tasks like secure credit card processing over the phone and can recognize and apply coupons, according to the press release. It also includes a proprietary “INSANO Mode” voice engine that offers a human-like conversational experience.
“These capabilities, combined with full POS integration, will allow Donatos to offer customers a fast, convenient ordering process via phone while minimizing errors and wait times,” the company said.
Technology that can boost revenue will be particularly important as the chain aims to increase comparable sales in the mid-to-high single digits, while maintaining store-level EBITDA between 15% and 20%. The company is also building up its system, signing eight multi-unit deals last year with new locations in North Carolina, Virginia and Texas. It wants to substantially increase its unit count in Texas, where it plans to reach 100 locations open over time.
Several other chains are investing in automation to improve operational efficiency. Taco Bell, Bojangles and Wendy’s have been deploying drive-thru voice AI, while Torchy’s Tacos and Beef ‘O’ Brady’s are using phone AI ordering. Portillo’s is testing computer vision to improve drive-thru speeds.
