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Is AOT the next big step for drive-thru? Only if your basics are solid

Rochelle Murphy, Marketing Manager, Quail Digital
Rochelle Murphy
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 min read
Woman Taking Orders at Drive-Thru with Headsets Usage
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Everyone’s talking about Automated Order Taking (AOT) - AI voice, chat-style ordering, the whole thing. It can absolutely help with speed, accuracy, and throughput.

But there’s a big “if”: AOT only shines when your communication setup is rock-solid.

Why the foundation matters

AOT aims to streamline ops and reduce errors. But if your headsets or intercom are crackly, drop out, or are uncomfortable to wear, the AI will struggle. We’ve all seen the headlines when misheard orders force brands to pump the brakes. Bad input = bad output.

So, start here: clear audio, reliable transmission, and comfortable gear for your crew. Get those right and AOT has a fair shot.

The crawl-walk-run approach

  • Crawl: Lock in reliable comms
    Upgrade the headsets and intercom. The Quail Digital Pro9 headset system was built for this - crisp audio, ergonomic fit, and ready for AOT out of the box.
  • Walk: Add automation with confidence
    Once the audio path is clean and stable, layer in your AI tools. Pro9’s AOT-ready architecture plays nicely with leading third-party platforms.
  • Run: Scale and optimize
    With the foundation set, you can dial up speed, consistency, and efficiency across locations.

Why look at Quail Digital?

Quail Digital isn’t just “another headset.” The Pro9 Drive-Thru system is AOT-compatible and integrates with your current (and future) stack. It also works alongside major competitors - so you’re not locked in.

In today’s drive-thru/quick service industry, clean sound and seamless AI compatibility aren’t “nice to have.” They’re mission critical.

Bottom line

Before you sprint into automation, make sure your tech can keep up. Get the headsets and comms right, then add AOT.


Crawl. Walk. Run - in that order. And you can do this with Quail Digital.

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