(LOOTPRESS) – Yum! Brands, the parent company of KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and Habit Burger, is expanding its use of artificial intelligence (AI) in its restaurants.
The company announced a partnership with AI firm NVIDIA to accelerate the development of voice-automated order-taking and drive-thru optimization technology.
The AI system is designed to enhance customer interactions by using conversational AI that adapts to human speech, understands complex menus, and remembers customer preferences.
The technology will also improve drive-thru efficiency and back-of-house operations through real-time analytics and automated alerts.
“As Yum!, we have a bold vision to deliver leading-edge, AI-powered technology capabilities to our customers and team members globally,” said Joe Park, chief digital and technology officer at Yum! Brands. “We are thrilled to partner with a pioneering company like NVIDIA to help us accelerate this ambition.”
Following a successful pilot program, Yum! Brands plans to roll out AI-powered ordering at 500 locations across its restaurant chains starting in the second quarter of this year.
The company joins other fast-food giants like McDonald’s and Wendy’s, which have also explored AI integration.
Based in Louisville, Kentucky, Yum! Brands operates more than 61,000 restaurants across 155 countries and territories.