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The robot will take your order now

Automated ordering via social media could be the way of the future

Lisa Jennings, Executive Editor

August 25, 2016

8 Min Read
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It’s a growing problem: Mobile apps are now common in the restaurant industry, but real estate on smartphones is limited.

In response, some restaurants are offering customers an easier way to place orders that meets them where they already are: social media.

This method of ordering is called a number of things — chatbot ordering, conversational ordering, social ordering or conversational commerce. Regardless of the name, it means that restaurants are using social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook and Slack as a means for customers to put in an order and pay for their meals. 

And some see it as the way of the future.

There’s no need for customers to download an app or create a profile. Proponents say when such programs are integrated wit...

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About the Author

Lisa Jennings

Executive Editor, Nation's Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality

Lisa Jennings is executive editor of Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She joined the NRN staff as West Coast editor in 2004 as a veteran journalist. Before joining NRN, she spent 11 years at The Commercial Appeal, the daily newspaper in Memphis, Tenn., most recently as editor of the Food and Health & Wellness sections. Prior experience includes staff reporting for the Washington Business Journal and United Press International.

Lisa’s areas of expertise include coverage of both large public restaurant chains and small independents, the regulatory and legal landscapes impacting the industry overall, as well as helping operators find solutions to run their business better.

Lisa Jennings’ experience:

Executive editor, NRN (March 2020 to present)

Executive editor, Restaurant Hospitality (January 2018 to present)

Senior editor, NRN (September 2004 to March 2020)

Reporter/editor, The Commercial Appeal (1990-2001)

Reporter, Washington Business Journal (1985-1987)

Contact Lisa Jennings at:

Lisa.jennings@informa.com

@livetodineout

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-jennings-83202510/

 

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