Applying Data Analytics and AI to Enhance Drive-Thru Performance

Daniel Litwin
Jan 28, 2021
Learn more
AI curbside service data analytics digital transformation Drive-thrus hospitality Intel internet of things IoT Luke Irving Podcast QRS quick serve restaurant Ravi Sirigineedi Podcast restaurants

Drive-thrus have been a staple of the quick serve restaurant (QSR) industry and have been increasing in popularity over the years. With the pandemic, the drive-thru has increased in importance even more, and the application of data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI)  has incredible opportunity.

Host Daniel Litwin joins Ravi Sirigineedi, Global Restaurant Lead for Intel’s Internet of Things Group, and Luke Irving, Founder and CEO of Fingermark, to discuss drive-thru trends, the application of AI and analytics, and where the industry is headed.

“The basis of success in this industry is all around convenience and customer experience,” Irving said.

One of the biggest challenges since the onset of the pandemic has been capacity. Before COVID, the utilization of drive-thrus for QSRs was between 50-75% of a store’s revenue. Now, that number is 90-95% and, in some cases, the drive-thru is now the only source of revenue.

Curbside also has a large opportunity. Parking lots can be turned into ordering bays as customers can order from their phones.

Sirigineedi noted that this change in customer behavior of using drive-thrus and curbside services is likely to continue.

Drive-thrus have often been a bottle neck and it is critical, now more than ever, to improve efficiency.

Data is providing insights to improve traffic velocity and help the restaurant utilize capacity to the fullest extent. For the customer this translates to personalized, accurate and quick service. This technology can also be used to detect customers who have left as a result of constrained capacity to understand lost revenue.

Sirigineedi adds that from an operator’s perspective, AI can improve operations by automating mundane tasks which allows staff to focus on better service and value directly with customers.

“It’s beyond restaurants, as well,” said Sirigineedi. The drive-thru can be applied to convenience stores, supermarkets, big box retail, and other retail formats.”

Learn more about hospitality and restaurants by connecting with Ravi Sirigineedi on LinkedIn or visit  https://www.intel.com/hospitality. To learn more about Intel’s partner Fingermark, connect with Luke Irving on LinkedIn.

Subscribe to this channel on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts to hear more from the Intel Internet of Things Group.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @MarketScale
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

partnership
CG Infinity’s Salesforce Practice Excels When Partnership Drives Outcomes
January 31, 2026

Meaningful work often comes from shared success, where customer outcomes and team outcomes are closely connected. At CG Infinity, this mindset shapes how client relationships are approached—not as transactions, but as partnerships built on collaboration, trust, and mutual accountability. The focus goes beyond delivering a solution to working side by side with customers, exchanging ideas,…

Read More
CG Infinity
CG Infinity’s Salesforce Practice: Built for Adoption, Execution, and Results
January 31, 2026

Pooja Arya, VP of Delivery and Technical Solutions Leader at CG Infinity, reflects on a recent Salesforce engagement that exemplified what meaningful delivery looks like when execution, alignment, and outcomes come together. The project involved a full Salesforce implementation spanning Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, and Marketing Cloud, and was delivered on time despite significant technical…

Read More
Salesforce practice
How CG Infinity’s Salesforce Practice Delivers Measurable Client Impact
January 31, 2026

CG Infinity’s Salesforce practice focuses on delivering clarity, discipline, and real outcomes—helping clients avoid unnecessary spend while building only what truly drives value. With deep expertise across Marketing Cloud, Sales Cloud, and Service Cloud, CG Infinity partners closely with clients to deliver focused, high-impact solutions that make a measurable difference. Jeff Abernathy, VP of…

Read More
team
How Rapid Response Consulting Turned Team Misalignment Into Forward Motion
January 30, 2026

When organizations hit critical pressure points—missed timelines, overloaded teams, or stalled initiatives—Rapid Response Consulting provides immediate reinforcement to stabilize operations and restore momentum. At CG Infinity, rapid response isn’t just about deploying expertise quickly; it’s about integrating with intention, protecting delivery, and reducing friction when stakes are high. That philosophy is reflected in the experience…

Read More
Related
commercial leadership
Software & Technology
Why Hotel Performance Depends on Commercial Leadership Across Sales, Marketing, and Revenue
January 28, 2026
How Hotels Bounce Back From the Unexpected
Healthcare
How Hotels Bounce Back From the Unexpected
September 4, 2025

In this episode of Inside Restoration & Recovery, host Martha Lewis sits down with Josh Creznic, Director of Hospitality Services at BMS CAT, to unpack the unique challenges and critical priorities in hotel restoration. With over two decades of experience in hospitality—spanning major brands like Marriott and Wyndham—Josh brings deep insight into how restoration…

Read More
sustainability
Healthcare
From Green Initiatives to Guest Loyalty: Building the Future of Hospitality Through Tree Planting and Plastic Cleanup Programs
August 27, 2025

Sustainability is no longer optional in hospitality—it’s the expectation. A recent Booking.com report found that 84 percent of global travelers now prioritize making their trips more sustainable, raising the bar for hotels worldwide. Yet too many properties are still relying on the basics—like towel reuse cards or energy-saving reminders—that guests increasingly see as table stakes….

Read More