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Hi Auto secures $15 million in Series A funding to expand its AI-powered drive-thru voice platform, addressing rising labor costs in the quick-service restaurant industry. The company’s solution delivers over 96% order accuracy and supports dynamic upselling, helping brands improve both efficiency and revenue. Major QSRs like Bojangles and Burger King NZ are already using or piloting the technology.
Drive-Thrus Face a Crisis, and Hi Auto Steps In
Quick-service restaurants are facing significant operational pressure from escalating labor costs and staffing shortages. California’s new $20-per-hour minimum wage for fast-food workers highlights a broader trend affecting restaurant profitability. At the same time, customers expect faster service and consistent order accuracy, particularly at the drive-thru, which remains a high-volume sales channel. Hi Auto introduces an AI-based voice platform intended to reduce the human workload during order-taking while improving speed and precision at the point of sale.
By transferring the order-taking process to an automated system, Hi Auto allows restaurant employees to concentrate on tasks such as food preparation and customer engagement. The system is built to function reliably under the chaotic, high-noise conditions typical of drive-thru environments.
Hi Auto Secures $15M to Scale Its AI Voice Tech
Hi Auto announced the completion of a $15 million Series A funding round, bringing its total raised capital to $23 million. The round was led by Delek Motors, Vasuki Tech Fund, the Zisapel Family, and a strategic investor from the restaurant sector. Additional support came from Allied Group, Goldbell Investments, and the Meir Barel Group.
Alongside the equity funding, Hi Auto also secured a $4 million credit line to support its plans for growth. The new capital will be used to accelerate product development, scale deployment, and support operations as the company expands its footprint across the global quick-service restaurant market.
AI That Talks Like a Pro and Never Misses an Order
Hi Auto’s software-as-a-service platform automates drive-thru order-taking with over 96% order accuracy and a 90%+ order completion rate. Designed specifically for drive-thru applications, the AI solution includes proprietary voice recognition, noise-canceling technology, and a conversational interface built to function effectively despite background chatter, engine noise, or adverse weather.
The system is not intended as an add-on but replaces human order-takers completely during the ordering process. It functions as an always-on voice assistant, enabling restaurants to maintain consistent service standards regardless of staffing limitations.
Big Brands Already Trust Hi Auto
Hi Auto’s technology is already in use by several well-known QSR brands, including:
- Bojangles
- Checkers & Rally’s
- Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken
- Burger King New Zealand
- Popeyes UK
In addition to active deployments, the company is conducting multiple paid pilots with large quick-service chains in the U.S. and internationally. The AI solution integrates directly with existing point-of-sale and audio systems, reducing friction during onboarding and deployment.
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From Background Noise to Bigger Orders
The AI system is tuned to handle complex environments, factoring in typical challenges like incomplete sentences, undecided customers, and overlapping conversations. Hi Auto’s noise-cancellation and language model adjustments allow it to reduce input errors and maintain flow during order transactions.
A key feature is dynamic upselling. The AI evaluates variables such as:
- Store inventory
- Time of day
- Weather conditions
Using this data, it generates personalized upsell suggestions in real time, increasing the likelihood of higher ticket sizes. According to the company, these context-driven recommendations contribute directly to revenue gains.
The Team Behind the Tech
Hi Auto was co-founded in 2019 by Roy Baharav, Eyal Shapira, and the late Zohar Zisapel. Baharav previously held leadership roles at Google, where he worked on retail-focused AI initiatives including the Smart Shopping Campaigns. Shapira brings over two decades of software R&D experience and has been involved in multiple AI startups.
Today, the company employs 100 people across global locations. The founding team has a background in building and scaling AI systems tailored to the retail and service industries.
What This Means for the Future of Fast-Food Service
Hi Auto’s growth reflects a broader industry move toward automation in response to labor instability and rising operational costs. Its AI solution offers quick-service restaurants a way to maintain throughput and accuracy without depending solely on human staff.
The ability to integrate into existing infrastructure while delivering both cost savings and revenue lift positions Hi Auto as a practical tool for franchise operators and corporate-owned chains alike. The company’s focus on real-world implementation rather than experimental features sets it apart from earlier failed attempts in voice-ordering technology.
Hi Auto is expanding its presence with a strategy focused on product refinement, customer onboarding, and large-scale rollout, as restaurants globally seek reliable solutions to sustain service performance under growing economic constraints.
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