Two women pull into a Carl's Jr. drive-thru in Anaheim, California, and roll down their window.
An employee introduces herself as Tori, and asks, "What can I get started for you?" The question is normal enough, but something about Tori sounds a little weird. The women in the car start giggling. Tori takes it all in stride.
She's not offended. She's a robot, after all. She collects their order flawlessly-asking about drinks and combo sizes-and even tries to upsell them on some strawberry shortcake. A human employee hands them their food, and as they drive off, the woman riding shotgun gasps. "Oh, my God! AI is coming! AI is at Carl's Jr.!" All of this played out on TikTok, where you can find a proliferating number of videos of AI taking orders at quick-service restaurants around the country. Franchises like Carl's Jr., McDonald's, Rally's, and Popeyes have all rolled out voice AI at select restaurants. And while these order-taking bots may be the most visible examples of how franchises are starting to use AI, they're just the beginning.
Artificial intelligence is already giving franchises myriad opportunities to improve efficiency and lower costs while increasing revenues-and its applications cannot be ignored. Whether you work for a QSR brand looking to save on staffing and improve operations, a retail brand wanting to boost localized marketing at a fraction of the cost of a traditional agency, a cookie company using predictive analytics to improve wait times and quality control, or a fitness studio developing a personalized coaching system, there are all kinds of novel ways you can put AI to work. And you should-because chances are, someone else in your industry is already doing it.
For drive-thru in particular, QSR brands' motivation to explore voice automation has been driven by three parallel trends: rising labor costs, a post-pandemic appreciation for the value of drive-thru options, and AI hype.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Startups - Summer 2024-Ausgabe von Entrepreneur US.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der Startups - Summer 2024-Ausgabe von Entrepreneur US.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
How to Succeed With Gen Z Workers
People often say that younger employees are different. But are they? We asked six business leaders what they've learned, and how their teams thrive.
There's No Perfect Answer
I worked the same job for 19 years. I hated it, but it paid the bills. Then, in 2017, I entertained an exciting but terrifying question: Could I be an entrepreneur? I wasn't sure, so I needed something that felt like a guarantee. I searched for signs that would feel like a big, clear \"yes!\" Instead, what I found was a tarot card deck.
10 HOTTEST TRENDS for 2025
Want to buy a brand that buzzes? Here's what to know.
BUILD YOUR MONEY MACHINE
A franchise isn't just a franchise. It should be a Money Machine, creating profit even while you're out of the office. Here's how.
The Top Franchises for Veterans
Are you a military vet looking to become a franchisee, or just want to support a brand that supports the troops? Check out these 150 brands.
20 LEADERS WHO ARE DEFINING ENTREPRENEURSHIP TODAY
In a year of disruption, we wanted to know: Whose work will define the years to come? We reviewed hundreds of names and picked 20 leaders across a range of industries and sizes. Meet them on the following pages, and see what it takes to thrive in 2025 and beyond.
How to Become a Main Street Millionaire
It started when I bought one little laundromat. Now I have a whole portfolio of small local businesses that bring in tens of millions in revenue a year. Here's why following my playbook could be your ticket to financial freedom-and saving America's local small businesses.
Want to Better Serve Your Clients? Become Them.
As a designer for brands, starting my own product company gave me a dose of humilityand it changed the way I relate to clients.
I've Been a Publicist for 17 Years.Don't Hire Me.
Entrepreneurs often think they need PR. Most don't. Here's why you're probably better off not hiring someone like me.
The CEO's Advice to the MVP
Kickstarter CEO Everette Taylor knows the formula for a successful launch. NBA champ Jaylen Brown recently launched a shoe and athleisure brand. They have a lot to teach each other.
