Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a technology that simulates human intelligence using machines. This technology has spread across various fields and industries, including the fast-food industry. Big and established fast-food chains like Domino's and McDonald's have been investing in and experimenting with AI for quite some time now. This helps speed up their processes-from preparing food to enhance the experience of ordering and delivering it. Keep scrolling to learn how these popular fast-food chains are using AI to deliver your food in the fastest way possible and even reduce food wastage.
Here Are 5 Key Fast-Food Chains And How They Are Using Artificial Intelligence (AI):
1. Domino's
Domino's has been using artificial intelligence since at least 2014, when it launched a voice assistant called Dom which can interact with the customers to take their orders via the Domino's app. He understands the nuances between sauces such as "robust inspired tomato sauce" versus "barbecue sauce" and whether you want a "hand-tossed" or "gluten-free crust," among other choices.
More recently, Domino's "next-generation" stores are using technology that helps the staff start making pizzas even before customers have completed their orders. "If you're making pizzas before people finish ordering them and you're dispatching them in a way that doesn't require your driver to come back into the store and find a parking spot, that's going to help," CEO Russell Weiner told investors, according to a Quartz report.
Also Read: New AI System Can 'Watch What You Eat' To Calculate Your Calorie Consumption
2. McDonald's
McDonald's has implemented touch-screen ordering kiosks in many of its restaurants, reducing wait times.
McDonald's has explored AI applications for automated drive-thrus. According to McDonald's, it is a "voice-based [platform] for complex, multilingual, multi-accent, and multi-item conversational ordering." However, in a recent update this month, McDonald's confirmed it is removing AI-powered ordering technology from its drive-through restaurants in the US, after comical mishaps from the AI-ordering system went viral, such as bacon-topped ice cream to hundreds of dollars' worth of chicken nuggets, reported BBC.
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3. Taco Bell And KFC
Taco Bell and KFC, both come under Yum Brands and are also embracing AI to help with their inventory. According to Restaurant Business Magazine, they have added a system called "Recommended Ordering" that predicts and recommends how much product should be ordered every week to complete their estimated orders. This helps to cut back on food wastage and lower food costs. Better demand predictions also help to avoid last-minute shortages of food items.
KFC and Taco Bell are also moving towards AI in drive-thrus. AI systems can make menu recommendations based on previous orders or time of day, which helps improve sales.
Also Read: KFC, Taco Bell To Experiment With 'Artificial Intelligence' For Meal Preparation
4. Popeyes
Another popular fast-food chain embracing AI for its drive-thru is Popeyes. Earlier this month, Popeyes announced it will use AI to take drive-thru orders across its UK estate. According to a report by The Grocer, customers will use 'AL', a voice-activated AI assistant, to place their orders at the drive-thru window.
The assistant takes the order "in a natural, conversational way", along with a digital display where customers can check if their order has been understood properly. 'AL' is also equipped to answer questions on allergens, available promotions, and item ingredients. A Popeyes spokesperson said the new function would "free up the team," allowing them to "focus on other parts of the job such as customer service".