On Tuesday, Yum Brands announced that it was expanding its voice artificial intelligence technology to “hundreds” of Taco Bell drive-thru locations across the country.
The parent company of the beloved eatery shared the news in a release, noting that its goal is to eventually have the technology help take orders around the globe.
Yum Brands also shared that it plans to implement the technology at KFC, Pizza Hut, and The Habit Burger Grill brands.
Right now, around 100 Taco Bell locations have been testing the technology in 13 different states.
The company shares that the tests have been a success over the last two years, with improved accuracy for customer orders, faster service, and profitable growth.
Overall, Yum Brands says the system created a better experience for those eating at Taco Bell and its workers.
“Innovation is ingrained in our DNA at Taco Bell, and we view voice AI as a means to improve the team member and consumer experiences,” chief digital and technology officer Dane Mathews said in a statement. “Tapping into AI gives us the ability to ease team members’ workloads, freeing them to focus on front-of[1]house hospitality. It also enables us to unlock new and meaningful ways to engage with our customers.”
The company shared that its voice AI technology integrates into its proprietary point-of-sale system, dubbed “Poseidon.”
Yum chief innovation officer Lawrence Kim shared that the plan, during the upcoming expansion, is to also integrate it into Taco Bell’s rewards program and “all aspects of our business.”
“We’re expanding and accelerating our AI capabilities like Voice AI to deliver leading-edge technologies to our franchisees and to enhance the consumer and team member experience,” Kim said. “With over two years of fine-tuning and testing the drive-thru Voice AI technology, we’re confident in its effectiveness in optimizing operations and enhancing customer satisfaction.”
In Australia, the company plans to test the technology at five of its KFC restaurants.
Taco Bell has joined the ranks of other fast-food restaurants to work on implementing artificial intelligence. Restaurants like Wendy’s, Del Taco, Taco John’s, Panera, Bojangles, White Castle, and more have all been testing similar AI-driven drive-thru systems.
McDonald’s was among the first, but recently ended its testing with IBM, noting that “has given us the confidence that a voice ordering solution for drive-thru will be part of our restaurants’ future.”