Momos to launch AI-powered ‘co-workers’ for QSRs
Artificial intelligence is no longer just an efficiency tool; it is essential for survival.
Momos, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered customer platform for quick-service restaurants (QSRs) and multi-location brands, is set to roll out AI-powered “co-workers,” including an AI data analyst, an AI customer service representative, and an AI marketer this year to help QSRs tackle rising costs.
“Imagine an additional helper at every store—an always-on customer relations team that can analyse data, respond to 100% of customer inquiries, and run marketing campaigns at scale,” Andrew Liu, co-founder of Momos, told QSR Media Asia.
Operators are being strained by rising expenditures across the board, including labour, supply chain, and property costs. “At every single location, operators are overwhelmed,” Liu said via Zoom. “Costs continue to increase, and customers have more choices than ever.”
AI isn’t just an efficiency tool; it’s become the best way to stay ahead of rising costs and build a resilient business, he said.
“Analysis paralysis is the last thing we want for our customers,” he said. “We make it easy for them to improve operational efficiency and uncover customer insights that lead to real outcomes."
Momos, founded in Singapore in 2021, provides customer service, experience, and marketing solutions to help companies optimise operations and cut costs. It also operates in San Diego, Abu Dhabi, Saigon, and soon in Kuala Lumpur this quarter.
It works with brands like Shake Shack, Baskin Robbins, and Guzman y Gomez across 10 countries in North America, the ASEAN region, and the Middle East across more than 15,000. Its partners include both small local businesses and multinational chains with thousands of outlets.
In September 2024, Momos raised $10m in Series A funding led by 645 Ventures, with support from Alpha Wave Global, Peak XV, Soma Capital, FJ Labs, Taurus Ventures, and Correlation Ventures. The investment brought the company’s total capital to $17.5m.
As AI’s role in personalisation grows, so do concerns about data privacy. Liu said the Momos approach is customer-first: “This data is yours. We don’t sell it. We just help you visualise your data and uncover key insights. We don’t do anything with it except help you make better decisions.”
Finding the balance between useful insights and respecting customer preferences is key.
“Some customers want a hands-off approach—just a pulse check. Others want detailed demographic insights,” Liu said. “We tailor our approach based on what’s actually needed.”
A recent example highlights AI’s role in crisis management. “Our goal is to help operators build resilient brands. During the recent boycotts in the region over the last few months, some businesses saw massive sales drops,” Liu said.
“One of our brands went hands-on, and ramped up their customer experience program, collecting more data to understand consumer sentiment beyond sales figures. Now that the boycotts are easing, they’re leveraging that data to rebuild,” he added.
Other brands take a more streamlined approach. “Some of our brands run Momos completely on autopilot. Our AI Customer Copilot sits in the background, making sure customers are happy and things are running smoothly.”
At the upcoming QSR Media Conference in Singapore, Liu seeks to address the question of whether AI is ready to transform the industry. “In 2023, AI in QSRs was nonexistent. In 2024, it was just a promise. But 2025 is when we’ll see real impact,” he said.
Liu remains optimistic.
“Yes, costs are rising. Yes, competition is fierce. But the opportunity is massive,” he said. “New brands, categories, and technologies are all pushing the industry forward.”
