5 tech things: NFL stadium opens two Verizon 5G “On the Fly” cashierless shops

In this special edition of its 5 Things series, Food Management highlights five recent technology-related developments affecting the foodservice world.

Here’s your list for today:

 1.    NFL stadium opens two Verizon 5G “On the Fly” cashierless shops

The NBA's Los Angeles Clippers have teamed up with hospitality partner Levy to launch the tech-heavy, sustainability-focused 310 Provisions f&b platform at the team's Intuit Dome home arena, which is scheduled to open this summer. The venue includes a 14,000 sq.ft. main kitchen—which is nearly twice the size of the industry average—multiple commissaries strategically located throughout the building to support distribution, a dozen exhibition kitchens in premium spaces, and energy-efficient kitchens in 65% of fan locations to continually offer fresh-cooked menus. On the general concourses, 100% of the food locations are frictionless, compared to 15% at other arenas around the world.

Read more: Lincoln Financial Field Launches ‘On the Fly’ Express Shops, powered by Verizon 5G

2.    McDonald’s partners with Google Cloud to connect units with tech upgrades

McDonald's Corporation and Google have announced plans for a new multi-year, global partnership to connect Google Cloud technology across thousands of McDonald's restaurants worldwide. As part of this partnership, McDonald's will roll out significant advancements to its restaurant and customer platforms, from its popular mobile app to its thousands of self-service kiosks in restaurants worldwide.

Related:5 things: UC Berkeley commits to 50% plant-based dining by 2027

Read more: McDonald's and Google Cloud Announce Strategic Partnership to Connect Latest Cloud Technology and Apply Generative AI Solutions Across its Restaurants Worldwide

3.    Six restaurant equipment trends to watch for in 2024

Restaurant operators will continue to prioritize design efficiencies and equipment configurations that minimize both their labor costs and their building footprints in the year ahead, according to industry experts interviewed by NRN. In addition to minimizing their labor requirements, operators are also focused on energy efficiency and sustainability. This includes rethinking packaging choices, both in response to consumer demands and local legislation.

Read more: 6 restaurant equipment trends to watch for in 2024

4.    SoundHound expands restaurant AI network with SYNQ3 deal

Voice artificial intelligence firm SoundHound AI, Inc. has announced a definitive merger agreement to acquire SYNQ3 Restaurant Solutions, a leading provider of voice AI and other technology solutions to the restaurant industry. The company says the deal will make it the preeminent U.S. provider of voice AI for restaurants, significantly extending its market reach by an order of magnitude to over 10,000 signed locations and accelerating the deployment of leading-edge generative AI capabilities to the industry. SYNQ3 will add large brands spanning drive thru, fast casual, casual segments, and convenience stores to SoundHound’s customer base, bringing the total to more than 25 national and multinational chains.

Related:5 things: University of Minnesota plans $40M in dining hall upgrades

Read more: SoundHound AI to Acquire SYNQ3 to Expand Its AI Customer Service Solutions and Create the Largest Voice AI Provider for Restaurants

5.    AI-based order taking still needs the human touch, SEC filing reveals

A recent SEC filing from Presto Automation, a company providing restaurant drive-thru automation technology, stated that currently, over 70% of orders taken by its Presto Voice solution requires human agent intervention but "as we continue to improve our AI accuracy and further deploy Presto Voice across store locations, we believe that the percentage of orders that do not require any human agent intervention will reach 30 percent or better." Presto's technology, which has been adopted by chains like Del Taco, Hardee's, Checkers and Carl's Jr., uses off-site human workers in places like the Philippines to operate the technology rather than employees inside the restaurant, according to Bloomberg.

Read more: New Report Says Most AI-Operated Drive-Thrus at Various Chains Require Human Workers

Bonus: University of Southern Indiana rolls out ghost kitchen and robot vending machines

Contact Mike Buzalka at [email protected]