Papa Johns rolls out AI-powered ordering assistant through Google Cloud

Papa Johns has launched an AI-powered pizza assistant in its app, which it said is designed to help groups order more efficiently.

Lou AI is the first AI-powered platform deployed through Google Cloud’s food ordering agent and aims to make ordering more personalised, intuitive and seamless.

When groups order, Papa Johns said different preferences, dietary requirements and concerns over quantities can make the task difficult.

The company described Lou AI as a digital concierge which will anticipate group needs, adapt in real time and guide customers towards appropriate choices, reducing the time taken to browse options or negotiate with the rest of the group.

To use the tool, customers describe the group and their preferences. The AI then puts together an appropriate order. Papa Johns said the order will be customised with a variety of items from across the menu, reflecting the needs of all diners.

“At Papa Johns, we’re using AI and personalization to bring back the feeling of being known, just like how you feel with your favourite bartender or barista,” said Kevin Vasconi, chief digital and technology officer at Papa Johns.

Lou AI is named in honour of the company’s roots in Louisville, and is available in the Papa Johns mobile app in the US.

Papa Johns is the world’s third-largest pizza delivery company, with more than 6,000 restaurants in approximately 50 countries and territories.

In January, Papa Johns announced that it was in the process of transitioning its legacy on-premise systems to an AI-powered unified enterprise platform across its US restaurants.