the project: Menu Database Redesign
Role: Special Projects Coordinator
Company: Lucas Systems, Inc.
Industry: QSR Technology | AI Integration
Tools Used: Custom Menu Database Tools, WinPOS, Spreadsheet Mapping, Cross-Vendor Communication
The challenge
Hi Auto, an AI and voice recognition software company, partnered with Bojangles to implement drive-thru ordering powered by artificial intelligence. As Bojangles franchisees being a top client of Lucas we needed to implement this system in our supported locations as well. Their system needed to accurately interpret and connect to our complex, backend menu databases—something not originally built for machine understanding or external integrations. The existing structure lacked the organization and clarity necessary for AI to identify offerings and place orders correctly.
my role
I spearheaded the database redesign project to ensure Hi Auto’s system could interpret and process Bojangles menu data effectively. I became the primary point of contact, working closely with Hi Auto’s engineering team to:
- Explain how our menu databases were structured, including combo logic, modifiers, and seasonal variations.
- Clarify which offerings were available at specific times or locations.
- Translate our internal configurations into a format readable by their AI models.
What i did
- Mapped existing backend data to identify gaps between our POS structure and what Hi Auto’s system required.
- Redesigned database structures across markets to align with the needs of the AI system—this included streamlining categories, item IDs, modifier groups, and combo relationships.
- Developed clear documentation and communication workflows to help define standard operational processes.
- Continually updated databases to ensure compatibility as offerings changed, menus evolved, and new markets launched.
- Acted as the bridge between tech and operations, translating business needs into structured technical implementations.
The outcome
- Hi Auto successfully launched their AI voice assistant in multiple Bojangles drive-thrus with accurate order-taking and menu recognition.
- Our internal databases became more streamlined, scalable, and adaptable to future tech integrations.
- I continue to support and maintain these integrations, ensuring the system remains accurate as new items and markets are introduced.