Just Eat takes UK AI ordering tool across Europe
Just Eat Takeaway is rolling out out its AI voice ordering tool across Europe after launching the feature in the UK earlier this year, as food delivery firms look for new ways to keep customers on their apps.
The company has expanded the assistant to Poland, Spain, Austria, Italy, Belgium and Switzerland, alongside its existing launches in Britain and Germany.
The tool, which sits within Just Eat’s app, lets customers speak or type requests rather than search through individual restaurants and menus.
It can suggest food based on factors such as price and dietary requirements, as well as find nearby restaurants or add groceries to a basket.
Just Eat told City AM that early data from its UK launch showed customers using the voice function found an order around 40 per cent faster than those using its text-based AI assistant.
It also claimed those customers were 30 per cent more likely to select a restaurant or dish recommended by the tool than people using its traditional search function.
The figures provide an early indication of how Just Eat hopes AI could translate into more orders, although the company did not disclose how many UK customers have used the assistant or what proportion of orders are now placed through it.
Its analysis of millions of customer journeys across Europe found users typically looked at around three restaurants before ordering, while almost a quarter browsed at least four. Meanwhile, around 43 per cent went directly to a single restaurant.
Jörg Gerbig, Just Eat Takeaway’s chief corporate development officer, said the company was trying to tackle the time customers spent deciding what to order.
“The biggest challenge in food delivery today isn’t finding restaurants”, he said, “it’s deciding”.
Takeaway giants turn to AI
The wider rollout comes around seven months after Just Eat first introduced the voice assistant in the UK, where it was initially added to the takeaway giant’s existing in-app chat service.
At the time, Just Eat said an international expansion was planned during 2026 but provided little data on whether customers were actually using the technology.
Its latest figures offer some evidence of faster searches among UK users, but do not show whether the assistant has increased overall order volumes or spending.
The push also comes as delivery companies look beyond price and delivery times to compete for customers.
Uber Eats has similarly introduced AI across parts of its service, including tools for menu descriptions, review summaries and food images, while delivery businesses are also experimenting with automation in customer service and fulfilment.
Just Eat itself has expanded its use of AI internally, including tools for uploading restaurant menus and handling customer queries.
It has also previously outlined plans to automate some refund decisions.