Taco Bell applies AI to driving service

Yum BrandMexican fast-food chain operator has announced plans to expand its voice AI technology to “hundreds” of stores across the country by the end of the year. And it’s already thinking about expanding its AI orders globally.

More than 100 Taco Bell locations in 13 states now use AI to take customer orders at drive-thru. Company officials say this has improved order accuracy, reduced wait times and increased profits.

“Yum! Brands is integrating digital and technology into every aspect of our business with exciting new capabilities, and AI is a core part of that strategy,” Lawrence Kim, chief innovation officer at Yum! Brands, said in a statement. “With more than two years of refining and testing our drive-thru voice AI technology, we are confident in its effectiveness in optimizing operations and improving customer satisfaction.”

The company said employees will be freed up to focus on other tasks, from interacting with customers ordering at the restaurant counter to preparing food.

Yum! Brands has also begun testing voice AI technology at fast-food outlets in KFC restaurant in australia

Taco Bell’s adoption of AI-powered order-taking technology at the drive-thru comes just over a month after McDonald’s ended its two-year partnership with IBMhas been testing AI to take people’s voice orders at drive-thru kiosks. The company has tested AI at more than 100 restaurants, but said it plans to remove the systems by the end of July.

Even though finish that test (and several TikTok videos showing AI getting orders wrong), McDonald’s said it hopes to continue deploying AI in its drive-thru services in the future.

“As we move forward, our work with IBM has given us confidence that voice ordering for drive-thru will be part of the future of our restaurants,” a spokesperson said. Luck last month. “We see tremendous opportunity in evolving our restaurant technology and will continue to evaluate scalable, long-term solutions that will help us make an informed decision on a future voice ordering solution later this year.”