Omilia has announced an agreement with Taco Bell to continue deploying its voice AI solution across the brand’s US drive-thru network. This builds on a partnership that began in 2023 and has since scaled to 890+ American restaurants across 38 states to date.

The solution helps automate order taking at the drive-thru speaker, adapting to each location’s menu, real-time stock levels, and limited time offers.

“Omilia’s voice AI gives us the ability to ease team members’ workloads and provides them the flexibility to engage with customers in a more meaningful way,” says Dane Mathews, Global Chief Digital & Technology Officer at Taco Bell. “Omilia’s platform has proven itself at scale in select US restaurants, and continuing this strategic partnership supports our long-term digital and tech strategy.”

“The drive-thru environment is one of the most demanding - real-time, noisy, fast paced, with menus that change by store and by day. It is exactly where our purpose built voice AI separates from general purpose tools that have failed,” says Dimitris Vassos, CEO and Co-Founder at Omilia. “This partnership reflects Omilia and Taco Bell’s shared commitment to delivering measurable value for customers, restaurant teams and franchisees.”

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

AI will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.

Check out our 2025 winners here.

Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”

“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”

He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”

Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.