Presto news and trends

From Reservations to Ordering, Gen AI Took Over Restaurants in 2023
Artificial Intelligence // December 27, 2023

In 2023, generative artificial intelligence began to make its way into many different parts of the restaurant industry, across the back- and front-of-house, boosting efficiency and effectiveness. Earlier this month, for instance, McDonald’s announced a partnership with Google Cloud, through which the quick-service restaurant giant...

Presto Cuts 17% of Staff as Restaurant Customers Reject Impersonal Experiences
ResTech // November 21, 2023

As Presto sees declines in its on-premise technologies amid shifts in consumers’ digital dining expectations, the company is making major layoffs and reinvesting in its self-service capabilities.   Specifically, the restaurant technology firm announced Friday (Nov. 17) that it is reducing its full-time workforce by approximately 17% in...

From Front Counters to Kitchens, AI Takes Over Restaurant Industry
artificial intelligence // July 10, 2023

As restaurants face labor challenges both in the front of the house and the back, many are tapping robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) to boost their ability to meet demand. Fast-casual chain Sweetgreen, for one, is automating the makeline with its “Infinite Kitchens,” while Chipotle founder and...

Presto CEO Says ChatGPT Pact Shows Where Restaurant Drive-Thru Is Headed
artificial intelligence // April 11, 2023

The planets are aligning around voice artificial intelligence (AI) as everyday business use cases begin to build, perhaps nowhere more so than at the restaurant drive-thru. The synergies are clear, as evidenced by the recent pact between ChatGPT creator OpenAI and Presto, the voice AI...

Interviews & Exclusives
Presto CEO Says ChatGPT Pact Shows Where Restaurant Drive-Thru Is Headed

April 11, 2023
The planets are aligning around voice artificial intelligence (AI) as everyday business use cases begin to build, perhaps nowhere more so than at the restaurant drive-thru. The synergies are clear, as evidenced by the recent pact between ChatGPT creator OpenAI and Presto, the voice AI used by quick-service restaurants (QSRs) and fast-food chains like Applebee’s, […]

The Three Things That Make a Good Fast Food Drive-Thru Great

October 11, 2022
As restaurants’ labor challenges continue, putting pressure on both table service and delivery businesses, many eateries are turning to drive-thrus to drive sales and boost margins. In fact, even those...

Presto CEO Says Tech-Wary Restaurant Customers May Change Their Tune as Prices Rise

August 05, 2022
As restaurants’ hiring challenges persist, many brands are turning towards automated solutions to lower their labor costs, and while some consumers may think these changes detract from the dining experience,...

Why Robots Will Staff the Restaurant of the Future

December 09, 2021
What if someone told you that within a decade, a large number — perhaps even a majority — of national quick-service restaurants (QSRs), fast-food chains and even upscale dine-in establishments will be...

Quick Reads
Presto CEO Steps Down After 15 Years

March 27, 2023
Restaurant automation firm Presto is seeking a new chief executive. The company announced Monday (March 27) that founder and CEO Rajat Suri had resigned after 15 years helming the firm. Replacing him in the interim is Krishna Gupta, Presto’s chairman and the company’s first investor. “Mr. Suri is a visionary,” Gupta said in a news […]

Presto Completes $1B SPAC Merger to Go Public

November 10, 2021
Restaurant-technology startup Presto will have a valuation of about $1 billion when it goes public through special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) Ventoux CCM Acquisition Corp., the companies told The Wall...