AI at the Drive-Thru

The Executive's Playbook for Getting It Right

A strategic guide for QSR executives evaluating AI-powered ordering technology — including ROI benchmarks, a vendor evaluation checklist, and a phased deployment framework.

AI Drive-Thru Playbook for Restaurant Executives
15–25 sec
faster order times with AI
$0.50–$1.20
average ticket lift per transaction
85%+
order accuracy (top-tier systems)
2–4%
upsell attachment rate increase
WHAT'S INSIDE

A practical framework — not a sales pitch

Strategic Framing

  • Why drive-thru AI is a boardroom decision, not an IT project
  • The four ROI levers that matter most to operators
  • The "listen-only" training advantage most vendors won't tell you about

Evaluation Tools

  • Vendor evaluation checklist covering technology, integration, economics, and support
  • The four most common deployment mistakes and how to avoid them
  • Key questions to ask before signing anything

Deployment Roadmap

  • Three-phase rollout framework: Listen → Hybrid → Scale
  • Timeline benchmarks for each phase
  • Franchise communication and buy-in strategy
WHO THIS IS FOR

Built for the people making the decision

Operations Leaders
COO, VP Ops, Regional Directors
Marketing / CX
CMO, VP Marketing, Brand leads
IT / Technology
CTO, CIO, VP Digital
Franchise Growth
VP Franchise Dev, Growth leads

Ready to evaluate AI for your drive-thru?

The Howard Company builds the physical and digital infrastructure that makes AI work in the real world — from speaker systems and menu boards to connected technology ecosystems.

Get the Playbook →