OpenCity is a Boston-based company specializing in conversational AI solutions tailored for the restaurant industry. Founded in 2016 by Nick Belsito, the company aims to revolutionize customer engagement by automating order-taking processes, particularly in drive-thru settings. OpenCity's mission is to enhance operational efficiency, improve order accuracy, and elevate the overall customer experience through innovative AI technology.
Key Strategic Focus
OpenCity's primary strategic objective is to streamline the drive-thru ordering process for quick-service restaurants (QSRs) by deploying its proprietary voice AI assistant, "Tori." This technology focuses on automating order-taking, thereby reducing wait times, minimizing human error, and allowing staff to concentrate on food preparation and customer service. The company targets the QSR market, addressing challenges such as labor shortages and the need for faster service.
Financials and Funding
In August 2021, OpenCity secured $6.8 million in an equity financing round to expand its team and accelerate the deployment of Tori across the fast-food industry. The funding round attracted 51 investors, though their identities were not disclosed. The capital is intended to support scaling operations, enhancing product development, and increasing market penetration.
Pipeline Development
OpenCity's flagship product, Tori, is an AI-driven voice assistant designed to handle drive-thru orders. Since its launch, Tori has been implemented in various restaurant chains, including Arby's and CKE Restaurants' brands, Carl's Jr. and Hardee's. The company continues to refine Tori's capabilities, focusing on improving conversational accuracy, expanding language support, and integrating seamlessly with existing point-of-sale systems.
Technological Platform and Innovation
OpenCity's innovation centers around Tori, a proprietary voice AI assistant that leverages advanced speech recognition and natural language processing to facilitate human-like interactions in drive-thru settings. Tori is capable of understanding complex orders, making modifications, and providing intelligent upsell suggestions based on order patterns and time of day. The technology integrates directly with restaurant point-of-sale systems, ensuring efficient and accurate order processing.
Leadership Team
- Nick Belsito, Founder and CEO: With a background in the restaurant industry, Belsito founded OpenCity to address operational challenges through AI solutions.
- Jeff Chasney, Advisor: Former CIO of CKE Restaurants, Chasney brings extensive experience in restaurant technology and has been instrumental in guiding OpenCity's AI initiatives.
- Neil Golden, Advisor: Former CMO of McDonald's and board member of Restaurant Brands International, Golden joined OpenCity in January 2024 to provide strategic guidance on market expansion and brand positioning.
Leadership Changes
In January 2024, OpenCity welcomed Neil Golden as an advisor. Golden's extensive experience in the fast-food industry is expected to bolster OpenCity's strategic initiatives and market reach.
Competitor Profile
Market Insights and Dynamics
The quick-service restaurant industry is increasingly adopting AI technologies to enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. The drive-thru segment, in particular, has seen significant innovation aimed at reducing wait times and improving order accuracy.
Competitor Analysis
OpenCity faces competition from several companies offering AI-driven solutions for the restaurant industry:
- McDonald's: The fast-food giant has been testing automated drive-thru ordering systems, leveraging AI to streamline operations and reduce labor costs.
- Apprente: Acquired by McDonald's in 2019, Apprente specializes in voice-based conversational AI, focusing on automating drive-thru and kiosk ordering processes.
- Valyant AI: This company offers voice AI solutions for drive-thru ordering, aiming to improve speed and accuracy while reducing labor expenses.
Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships
OpenCity has partnered with several prominent restaurant chains to deploy Tori:
- CKE Restaurants: In May 2023, CKE Restaurants, the parent company of Carl's Jr. and Hardee's, implemented Tori in select U.S. locations to enhance drive-thru efficiency and customer experience.
- Arby's: OpenCity's Tori has been deployed in Arby's locations, including one in Ontario, California, to automate drive-thru ordering and improve service speed.
Operational Insights
OpenCity's strategic focus on AI-driven automation positions it as a key player in addressing labor challenges and operational inefficiencies in the QSR industry. By offering a solution that integrates seamlessly with existing systems and enhances customer interactions, OpenCity differentiates itself from competitors relying on traditional order-taking methods.
Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions
OpenCity aims to expand Tori's deployment across a broader range of restaurant brands, continuously enhancing the AI's capabilities to handle diverse menus and complex orders. The company is also exploring opportunities to integrate Tori into other customer interaction points, such as phone orders and in-app ordering systems, to provide a comprehensive AI-driven ordering solution.
Contact Information
For more information about OpenCity and its AI solutions, please visit their official website.
