- Taco Bell is testing new AI features in its drive-thrus, with plans to roll them out nationwide.
- Parent Yum Brands, which also owns KFC and Pizza Hut, is expanding its use of AI across the board.
- Yum Brands posted a strong first quarter, led by Taco Bell's 8% same-store sales growth.
Your Taco Bell drive-thru experience is getting tailored to you thanks to artificial intelligence.
The fast-food chain is testing an AI-powered drive-thru menu in the US and plans to roll it out nationwide this year, parent company Yum Brands Inc. said Wednesday. The dynamic menu can change its layout, content, and visuals from car to car.
CEO Chris Turner told analysts on the first-quarter earnings call that the new technology is all about "driving growth and getting a better consumer experience out there faster."
It's part of the company's wider plan to integrate AI across its business.
For example, Kentucky Fried Chicken in the UK has at least 10 different AI agents playing roles within the organization, including one that helps with permitting for new units, Turner said. Yum Brands' learning and development team also has a virtual coworker named Judy who helps build training programs and boosts productivity.
Turner said to expect more AI-driven features to be tested and scaled across the company's brands "to drive loyalty, adoption, and growth."
The company has also been rolling out voice AI ordering in drive-thrus. The effort hasn't entirely been smooth sailing. In light of some viral hiccups, its chief data and technology officer told The Wall Street Journal last year, "We're learning."
Yum Brands is far from the only fast-food company experimenting with new technology. Restaurant chains from Burger King to Starbucks are rolling out new AI tools for customers and workers. Some competitors have also hit snags in the push to bring in more AI. McDonald's, for example, removed its AI order-taking technology from over 100 restaurants in 2024 after complaints about its flaws went viral.
That hasn't stopped Yum Brands from leaning into AI. "We are excited about the potential that AI provides to our business," Turner said.
The company is off to a strong start to the year with 3% global same-store sales growth in Q1, driven by Taco Bell's 8% same-store sales increase and KFC's 3% growth.
