Artificial intelligence has once again replaced physical staff, and this time it comes at the popular fast food chain Wendy’s. The franchise is reportedly testing an AI chatbot powered by Google’s natural-language software in a bid to phase-out real workers with AI and further automate their shops.
The company’s AI chatbot is called “Wendy’s FreshAI,” according to a press release.
Wendy’s CEO and President Todd Penegor told the Wall Street Journal in a statement that the chatbot will be unveiled sometime in June at a company-owned location in Columbus, Ohio.
It will be very conversational. You won’t know you’re talking to anybody but an employee.
Mr. Penegor said
In the press release Penegor added:
Wendy’s introduced the first modern pick-up window in the industry more than 50 years ago, and we’re thrilled to continue our work with Google Cloud to bring a new wave of innovation to the drive-thru experience.
Google Cloud’s generative AI technology creates a huge opportunity for us to deliver a truly differentiated, faster and frictionless experience for our customers, and allows our employees to continue focusing on making great food and building relationships with fans that keep them coming back time and again.
The WSJ further noted: ‘Wendy’s customized language model includes unique terms, phrases and acronyms customers have come to use when ordering its burgers, fries and other items—such as “JBC” for junior bacon cheeseburger, or “biggie bags” for various combinations of burgers, chicken nuggets and soft drinks. Adding to the complexity, Wendy’s milkshakes are called Frosties, though customers may not always use the branded term.’
The AI is also designed to upsell the customers by offering larger sizes or adding a Frosty to the order. ‘Once the chatbot takes an order, it appears on a screen for line cooks. From there, prepared meals are relayed to the pickup window and handed off to drivers by a worker,’ the WSJ added.
Carl’s Jr. and Hardees recently announced that they would be implementing AI at their locations, and just like Wendy’s will be using their AI to upsell their customers, The WinePress reported.
In Wendy’s press release, the company reveals that their main motivation for implementing AI at their drive-thrus is because the strong majority of their sales come from the order window.
With 75 to 80 percent of Wendy’s customers choosing the drive-thru as their preferred ordering channel, delivering a seamless ordering experience using AI automation can be difficult due to the complexities of menu options, special requests, and ambient noise.
For example, because customers can fully customize their orders and food is prepared when ordered at Wendy’s, this presents billions of possible order combinations available on the Wendy’s menu, leaving room for miscommunication or incorrect orders. Google Cloud’s generative AI capabilities can now bring a new automated ordering experience to the drive-thru that is intended to enhance the experience that customers, employees and franchisees expect from Wendy’s.
The company wrote
Wendy’s has been at the forefront of automation at restaurants and the business world, installing thousands of self-ordering kiosks in 2017 and thereafter in order to cut costs, according to the New York Post.
AUTHOR COMMENTARY
The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
Proverbs 21:25
Convenience strikes again; and American’s thirst for faster and faster service is insatiable, to the point where they will allow AI to slip right on in and take our jobs. Enough is never enough, and this is only the beginning. The AI takeover is here and now, left and right will people’s jobs be quickly replaced.
The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.
Proverbs 13:25
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[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).
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Is the Godhead book coming out soon, Jacob? I’m looking forward to the second edition.
I’m so glad I quit Wendy’s. It’s run by a bunch of WICKED DEVILS!
By the way I bet you didn’t know this and believe it or not: Dave Thomas was a FREEMASON and so was his closest buddy Colonel Sanders who created KFC.