Yum! Brands, the parent company of Taco Bell, is set to expand its Voice AI technology to hundreds of Taco Bell drive-thru locations across the United States in 2024. This innovative technology, already operational in over 100 Taco Bell drive-thrus in 13 states, aims to streamline back-of-house operations for team members and enhance the ordering experience for customers.
The implementation of Voice AI technology at Taco Bell drive-thrus is expected to bring several benefits, including reducing the workload for team members, improving order accuracy, delivering a consistent and friendly customer experience, and minimizing wait times. This initiative is not only geared towards driving profitability for Taco Bell and Yum! Brands but also for their franchisees.
Lawrence Kim, Chief Innovation Officer at Yum! Brands, expressed excitement about integrating cutting-edge technologies like AI into their business operations. He emphasized the importance of leveraging AI capabilities, such as Voice AI, to provide enhanced experiences for both consumers and team members. With years of testing and refinement, Yum! Brands is confident in the effectiveness of Voice AI in optimizing operations and boosting customer satisfaction.
By closely collaborating with Taco Bell franchisees, Yum! Brands aims to ensure that the Voice AI technology benefits both employees and customers. This technology capitalizes on Taco Bell’s robust drive-thru ecosystem, which includes digital menu boards, Yum! Brands’ Poseidon POS system, and the upcoming integration of the Taco Bell Rewards loyalty program. The Voice AI technology is designed to enhance consumer relationships through intuitive and user-friendly features, creating a seamless ordering process for customers.
Overall, this expansion of Voice AI technology at Taco Bell drive-thrus signifies Yum! Brands’ commitment to incorporating digital innovations to elevate the customer experience and drive operational efficiency. As they continue to refine and enhance their AI capabilities, Yum! Brands is poised to deliver leading-edge technologies that benefit franchisees and customers alike.