Menulog launches AI Assistant to simplify food ordering

Menulog has introduced a new AI Assistant intended to streamline the food ordering process for customers in Australia.

The AI Assistant offers users personalised meal recommendations, assists in searching for new dining options, and enables placing customised food orders via a text-based chat interface. This tool is designed to draw on customer preferences and past orders to make tailored suggestions that can help diners discover local selections.

Menulog's AI Assistant also provides summarised restaurant reviews and insights, designed to simplify the process of choosing where and what to eat. In addition, customers can use the assistant to enquire about the best value or cheapest options for items in their vicinity. According to Menulog, the goal is to offer a more effortless and personalised ordering experience for Australians who use food delivery services.

The introduction of the AI-powered tool follows a pilot by Menulog's parent company, Just Eat Takeaway.com, in the United Kingdom. Australia is among the first international markets to implement the service, with further global locations expected to follow in the coming months. Multilingual support for the AI Assistant is also planned as the expansion continues.

Ariane Fitzpatrick, Head of Operations at Menulog, said, "As Australia's appetite for digital convenience continues to grow, our AI Assistant is designed to deliver a more intuitive way to find what you're craving. We're excited to roll out this innovation to give Aussies more choice and convenience while ordering their favourites or exploring hidden gems in their area."

Menulog's AI Assistant can address a variety of user requirements, including assisting customers in discovering new local favourites, offering customised suggestions, providing easier access to reviews and insights, and directing users to customer support if further help is needed. The assistant allows for seamless order placement and customisation through a conversational, text-based platform.

The company states that user feedback will play a critical role in refining the AI Assistant, with further feature development planned as part of Menulog's ongoing innovation agenda. Other recent projects under the parent company's innovation programme include drone deliveries and in-car ordering experiments, all designed to bolster user convenience within the global network.

Menulog and Just Eat Takeaway.com emphasise a commitment to transparent and responsible AI use. The firms have indicated that a governance framework is in place to ensure their AI implementations are fair, secure, and respectful of user privacy.

The company connects millions of Australian customers with over 35,000 local restaurants, grocers, and retail businesses. Having supported local partners for over 18 years, Menulog provides online ordering and delivery services while advocating for benefits and protections for on-demand delivery couriers.