Episode description:

Conversational AI in the drive-thru lane is nothing new — NRN has been covering the rise of this trending tech phenomenon since 2019, when companies first begin adapting AI voice assistants in earnest — but the trend has now reached a fever pitch, and more and more limited-service chains are replacing humans with AI drive-thru workers. This is only the beginning: as AI becomes more ubiquitous in the restaurant industry, there will be a major shift in the service model and customer experience.

This month, Wendy’s and CKE Restaurants announced plans to implement test pilots of AI in the drive-thru lane, joining a list that includes White Castle, Del Taco, Panera, McDonald’s, and Sonic. 

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