8 min read

Delivering Delight 24×7 and beyond: Why Ghost Kitchens need VOICE AI for Phone Ordering

• by Soumya Singh
• September 13, 2023
• Blog

You’ve just stepped into the world of ghost kitchens, where the culinary magic happens behind the scenes. Also known as virtual or cloud kitchens, these are gourmet powerhouses designed exclusively for crafting mouthwatering dishes destined for your doorstep, or a quick pick-up. Let’s talk about something that’s been on all our minds lately – how to keep up with the ever-growing demand for food delivery without losing our sanity (or our shirts). If you’re like me, you’ve probably been wondering if there’s a better way to handle those never-ending phone orders. Well, grab a seat and let me tell you about a game-changer that’s revolutionizing our industry: Voice AI for phone ordering.

The Ghost Kitchen Boom: Opportunity Meets Challenge

First things first, let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room – ghost kitchens are booming! According to a report by CBRE Research, a whopping 63% of global food delivery revenue is projected to come from ghost kitchens by 2030 (CBRE Ghost Kitchen Report). The ghost kitchen industry is nothing short of a financial juggernaut, with the US market alone boasting an impressive size of $3 billion. In the year 2022, approximately 9,519 ghost kitchen operations were in full swing across the United States, collectively providing gainful employment to a whopping 43,993 individuals.

Zooming out globally, the cloud kitchen market, back in 2019, was already a hefty $43.1 billion industry. And here’s the jaw-dropper – experts predict it’s set to skyrocket to a mind-boggling $71.4 billion by 2027. What’s fueling this phenomenal growth? Well, it’s a mix of factors: hefty investments pouring into the food and beverage industry, relentless technological advancements, and the surging demand for lightning-fast delivery services. That’s huge, folks! But with great opportunity comes great challenges, right?

The Challenge: Scaling Without Sacrificing Service

We’ve all been there – it’s Friday night, orders are pouring in, and your staff is juggling phone calls like they’re in a circus act. It’s stressful, it’s chaotic, and let’s face it, it’s a recipe for mistakes. But what if we told you there’s a way to handle this surge without breaking a sweat? Enter Voice AI – your new best friend in the kitchen. It’s designed to comprehend and respond to natural language, so ordering becomes as simple as chatting with a friend.

Voice AI: The Secret Sauce for Ghost Kitchen Success

“AI? In my kitchen? Sounds complicated and expensive.” But Voice AI is like having a super-efficient, never-tired employee who can handle multiple orders simultaneously, 24/7.

1. 24/7 Order Management

Remember those late-night orders you missed because nobody was there to answer the phone? Voice AI has got you covered. It’s always on, always ready, ensuring you never miss an order, day or night.

2. Improved Accuracy

We all know the cost of mistakes – unhappy customers, wasted ingredients, and lost revenue. Voice AI uses natural language processing to ensure clear communication with customers, minimizing errors and avoiding incorrect orders. A study by Cornell University found that AI-based voice systems enhance customer service quality by improving clarity and reducing friction during the order process (Cornell Hospitality Research).

3. Cost-Efficiency That’ll Make Your Accountant Smile

Labor costs keeping you up at night? You’re not alone. A study by McKinsey & Company found that AI technology in food service can reduce operational costs by up to 30% by streamlining repetitive tasks (McKinsey Restaurant Automation Report). Imagine what you could do with that extra cash!

4. Handling Peak Volumes Like a Pro

Remember that Friday night chaos I mentioned earlier? With Voice AI, you can handle multiple orders simultaneously, boosting your kitchen’s capacity during peak times without needing additional staff. A Deloitte study highlighted that AI-driven solutions are critical for scaling food delivery services efficiently (Deloitte Insights).

A Day in the Life of a Voice AI-Equipped Ghost Kitchen

Let me paint you a picture of what life could be like with Voice AI:

• 8 AM: You arrive at the kitchen, check the system, and see all overnight orders neatly logged and organized.
• 12 PM: Lunch rush hits. While your team focuses on food prep, Voice AI handles a flood of phone orders without breaking a sweat.
• 3 PM: You use the lull to review order accuracy – 99.9% correct! No more “I said no onions!” complaints.
• 7 PM: Dinner rush. Multiple lines ring simultaneously, but Voice AI manages them all, integrating seamlessly with your POS.
• 11 PM: You head home, knowing late-night orders are in good hands.

Sounds dreamy, right? But don’t just take my word for it. Let’s look at some numbers:

Metric	Manual Phone Ordering	Voice AI Ordering
Order Accuracy	85%	99%
Avg. Order Processing Time	3-5 minutes	1-2 minutes
Missed Calls During Peak Hours	20%	0%
Staff Needed for Phone Orders	2-3	0

Addressing Your Concerns (Because We’ve All Had Them)

Now, I know you might have some reservations. Let’s tackle them head-on:

1. “But customers prefer human interaction!” Actually, a 2021 study revealed that 45% of customers prefer AI-based service for its speed and reliability over human agents, particularly when placing food orders (Journal of Service Management).
2. “What about the initial setup costs?” While there is an initial investment, the long-term savings in labor costs and increased efficiency often result in a positive ROI within months, not years.
3. “Will it integrate with my existing systems?” Most Voice AI solutions are designed to seamlessly integrate with popular POS systems, making the transition smooth and hassle-free.

Best Practices for Implementing Voice AI in Your Ghost Kitchen

Ready to take the plunge? Here are some tips to ensure a smooth integration:

1. Start with a pilot program: Implement Voice AI for a portion of your orders first to work out any kinks.
2. Train your staff: Make sure your team understands how to work alongside Voice AI for maximum efficiency.
3. Monitor and adjust: Regularly review performance metrics and customer feedback to optimize your setup.
4. Communicate with your customers: Let them know about this new, efficient ordering system. Many will appreciate the innovation!

The Future is Now: Why Wait?

Listen, as ghost kitchen operators, we’re already ahead of the curve. But to stay ahead, we need to embrace technologies that can help us scale efficiently. Voice AI isn’t just a fancy add-on; it’s becoming a necessity in our high-volume, fast-paced world.

According to research by the National Restaurant Association, AI and automation are reshaping the food service industry, helping operators like us meet customer demand while navigating labor shortages (NRA Research). We can’t afford to be left behind.

Ready to Supercharge Your Ghost Kitchen?

Don’t let another phone order slip through the cracks or keep your staff tied up on calls. Book a demo with VoicePlug today and see firsthand how Voice AI can transform your order management, boost efficiency, and drive profits. Your future self (and your staff) will thank you.

Click here to schedule your personalized demo and discussion – let’s cook up some serious success together!

Remember, in the world of ghost kitchens, efficiency and service are our bread and butter. With Voice AI, you’re not just keeping up with the future; you’re delivering it, one perfect order at a time.