1851

It looks like Yum! Brands, the parent company behind quick service franchises&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-deep-dive-taco-bell-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2720788">Taco Bell</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-deep-dive-pizza-huts-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2722519">Pizza Hut</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-deep-dive-kfc-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2720768">KFC</a>, is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nrn.com/technology/yum-brands-testing-voice-ai-beverage-automation?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=nations-restaurant-news-yum-brands-is-testing-artificial-intelligence-and-automation-2724173" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">betting big on artificial intelligence</a> (AI). In a recent earnings call, CEO David Gibbs hinted at more automation, calling AI a “big positive for the industry,” reported&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nrn.com/technology/yum-brands-testing-voice-ai-beverage-automation?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=nations-restaurant-news-yum-brands-is-testing-artificial-intelligence-and-automation-2724173" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Nation’s Restaurant News</a>.&nbsp;The parent company is on track to have its automated inventory management (AIM) system rolled out across the KFC United States system by the end of 2023. The AI-module, which was developed in-house, predicts and suggests the product quantity that a general manager should order. The fried chicken franchise actually began exploring AI-powered digital menu boards all the way&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kfc-looks-to-automate-its-drive-thrus-as-part-of-its-2020-strategy-2711438#stories">back in 2019</a> to automate the process of taking orders.&nbsp;In addition to AIM, Yum! Brands is testing a voice-enabled AI drive-thru system in several of its California restaurants. Chief financial officer Chris Turner said the system has increased speed, productivity and efficiency. The system even provides automated upsell recommendations. The company is also testing a proprietary automated drinks fulfillment system, which will be integrated into its proprietary point-of-sale (POS) platform called Poseidon.&nbsp;Yum! Brands will also be expanding its global data hub, which collects most of its global transaction-level sales data, amongst other metrics. Turner noted that the company will continue to develop and test new AI capabilities, such as personalized upselling recommendations and intelligent menu pricing recommendations, that “pull from the global data hub and integrate into our own technology platforms” in the coming year.&nbsp;The parent company shifted 10 points of general and administrative expenses toward digital and technology over the course of the last three years, Turner pointed out. Notably, franchisees also share in those investments via fees.To read the full article, click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nrn.com/technology/yum-brands-testing-voice-ai-beverage-automation?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=nations-restaurant-news-yum-brands-is-testing-artificial-intelligence-and-automation-2724173" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">here</a>.&nbsp;Related Articles:&nbsp;<ul><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/kfc-looks-to-automate-its-drive-thrus-as-part-of-its-2020-strategy-2711438#stories">KFC Looks to Automate Its Drive-Thrus as Part of Its 2020 Strategy</a></li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-to-use-ai-technology-to-grow-your-franchise-business-2721628#stories">How to Use AI Technology to Grow Your Franchise Business</a></li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-ai-is-redefining-the-franchise-industry-2712199">How A.I. Is Redefining the Franchise Industry</a></li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-chatgpt-could-impact-the-franchising-industry-2722200">How ChatGPT Could Impact the Franchising Industry</a></li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/chapter-21-the-future-of-franchising-2722732">Chapter 21: The Future of Franchising</a></li></ul>

Nation’s Restaurant News: Yum! Brands Is Testing Artificial Intelligence and Automation

1851 Franchise

The parent franchisor is implementing systems such as voice AI and beverage automation to increase efficiency across brands like KFC. 

nations-restaurant-news-yum-brands-is-testing-artificial-intelligence-and-automation

Sola Salons

Sola Salons Targets Chicago for Strategic Franchise Growth

sola-salons-targets-chicago-for-strategic-franchise-growth

Melting Pot

Photo of Melting Pot white chocolate fondue

How Melting Pot Franchisees Drive Year-Round Success Through Strategic Promotions and Local Marketing

melting-pot-franchise-year-round-success

Crust Pizza Co.

Crust Pizza Co. - Technology Piece - CTO Nick Fontenot - May 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Crust Pizza Co. Builds the Future of Franchising With Tech-First Strategy

crust-pizza-co-technology-nick-fontenot-cto

Paris Baguette

Paris Baguette’s Recipe for Expansion: Leadership, Community and A Vision for 1,000 Cafés by 2030

paris-baguettes-recipe-for-expansion-leadership-community-and-a-vision-for-1000-cafes-by-2030

Seniors Helping Seniors®

Franchisee Spotlight with Billy and Anita Clark and Seniors Helping Seniors

Heart and Purpose: Couple Launch Seniors Helping Seniors® Franchise in Northern Arizona

heart-and-purpose-couple-launch-seniors-helping-seniors-franchise-in-northern-arizona

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands - 1851 Franchise

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands

doordash-acquistions-deliveroo-sevenrooms

Crumbl Franchise Investment - TSG Consumer Partners -  1851 Franchise

TSG Consumer Partners Takes Minority Stake in Crumbl, Signaling Franchise Growth Potential

crumbl-franchise-investment-tsg-consumer

Yum Brands Reports Strong Q1 Results with Big Boost from Taco Bell

yum-brands-reports-strong-q1-results-with-big-boost-from-taco-bell

QSR: McDonald’s Gains Momentum With Chicken Innovation, Value Deals and Franchisee Support

mcdonalds-franchise-recovery-chicken-strategy-value-deals-2025

The Future of Franchising: Trends and Predictions for 2025 and Beyond

the-future-of-franchising-trends-and-predictions-for-2025-and-beyond

Layoffs Surge to Pandemic-Era Highs, Opening Doors for Franchise Growth

layoffs-surge-to-pandemic-era-highs-opening-doors-for-franchise-growth

Restaurant Business: Crumbl Cools Its Expansion, Refocuses on Profitability

restaurant-business-crumbl-cools-its-expansion-refocuses-on-profitability

Franchisee spotlight image with Randy and Sandy Craft, Children's Lighthouse logo on blue background

The Crafts’ Successful Journey from New Parents to Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees

the-crafts-successful-journey-from-new-parents-to-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees

Franchisee spotlight image with photo of Robert Trujillo and UWRG logo on blue background

How Robert Trujillo Expanded His Construction Business With UWRG

how-robert-trujillo-expanded-his-construction-business-with-uwrg

District Taco Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-district-tacos-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: Building Your Brand’s Growth Machine

ultimate-guide-to-selling-franchises

Nation’s Restaurant News: Yum! Brands Is Testing Artificial Intelligence and Automation

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS