- Yum! Brands, the operator of KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and The Habit Burger is welcoming AI-aided fast food in its restaurants.
- Investment of AI technology is increased in the fast food industry.
Yum! Brands plans to provide AI-powered fast food, and has been investing more in technology and automation in an effort to cut costs and increase sales.
AI-powered fast food
Yum! Brands has been increasing investment about $30 billion in technology and automation, almost double the amount of 2019, according to Yum’s chief digital and technology manager Joe Park.
“Our vision of ‘quick-service restaurants’ is that an AI-first mentality works every step of the way,” Park addressed.
Also read: McDonald’s & Google AI integration: Will promised benefits materialize?
The new minimum wage law of California sets the standard of salary per hour at $20 for most fast-food workers, according to an official report, which prompts the food providers to turn to AI technology in costs decrease and sales increase.
Investment increased, so did concern
The investment in digital ordering, drive-thrus and other forms of services has increased in many fast-food chains since the COVID-19 pandemic.
For Yum, one of the fast-food giants, using AI technology helps to build good experience for customers. SuperApp is their mobile application equipped with generative AI, which provides operational questions for workers to ask. For example, how to set oven temperatures.
The app is now being used by over 8,700 Pizza Hut and KFC restaurants and capable of purchasing ingredients and arrange working shifts. Also, the augmented reality feature could help teach workers to make new menu items, as Park mentioned to the Wall Street Journal.
However, some wonder whether AI will kill the need for human labour, a Yum spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal “its employees will always play a critical role.”
