Fast food customers may soon be placing orders through an AI voice at drive-throughs, particularly at Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC, and Habit Burger, thanks to a new partnership between Yum Brands Inc. and Nvidia. This collaboration was announced at Nvidia’s recent GTC conference, an event focused on advancements in AI technology. Joe Park, Yum Brands’ Chief Digital and Technology Officer, highlighted that over the past five years, the digital transformation in the restaurant industry has accelerated significantly, with digital sales soaring to over 50% of total sales, up from 19% in 2019. Yum Brands plans to leverage Nvidia's AI technology to create agents capable of taking orders at drive-throughs and call centers, while also using AI tools to analyze data for improving operational efficiency. Currently, AI initiatives are being piloted at select Taco Bell and Pizza Hut locations, with plans to expand to 500 restaurants across multiple brands in the near future. Although specific locations of these pilots are undisclosed, Yum Brands oversees over 61, 000 restaurant locations globally. AI is anticipated to enhance the ordering process by reducing wait times and improving customer interaction, particularly during peak periods, like game days.

A study from Intouch Insights indicated that average drive-through times could decrease with AI integration. Currently, only 4% of drive-through visits utilize AI technology, but these visits were 29 seconds faster than others. Taco Bell has previously deployed AI ordering technology, enhancing order accuracy and customer experience while alleviating pressure on staff. Other fast food chains, including Wendy’s and McDonald’s, are also experimenting with AI voice ordering despite some initial customer complaints regarding order precision. As these systems evolve, improvements are expected over time.