Taco Bell, Pizza Hut going ‘AI-first’ with fast-food innovations | Fox Business
In a world where technology and fast food intertwine more each day, Yum! Brands, the powerhouse behind KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and The Habit Burger Grill, is steering towards an “AI-powered” future. This leap into the future is not just about adding a techy twist to your favorite fast-food chain; it’s about revolutionizing the way these restaurants operate, from the kitchen to the counter.
Yum! Brands is doubling down on technology and automation, with digital sales skyrocketing to about 45% of their total sales, a significant jump from 2019. This shift isn’t just about keeping up with the times; it’s a strategic move to enhance efficiency, improve customer experience, and navigate the challenges of rising labor costs, especially with new minimum wage laws pushing fast-food worker wages to $20 per hour in places like California.
The company’s embrace of AI extends beyond customer-facing features. They’re pioneering internal tools like the SuperApp, which aids restaurant managers in operational tasks such as setting oven temperatures, ordering ingredients, and scheduling shifts. This app, already in use in over 8,700 Pizza Hut and KFC outlets, is exploring generative AI and augmented reality features to further assist in training and operations.
Despite the heavy investment in AI and automation, Yum! Brands maintains that their employees remain indispensable. This stance addresses a common concern about AI in the workplace: the fear of machines replacing human jobs. Instead, Yum! Brands seems to be positioning AI as a tool to augment human work, not replace it.
As fast-food chains continue to invest in digital ordering and drive-thrus, a trend accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Yum! Brands’ journey into AI-powered operations could set a new standard for the industry. It’s a glimpse into a future where technology and human ingenuity combine to create a more efficient, enjoyable fast-food experience………
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Considering Yum! Brands’ shift towards AI and technology in operations, what could be the potential impacts on the job market within the fast-food industry, and how might this influence the skills future employees need to develop?
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Yum! Brands’ adoption of AI and technology in operations may streamline processes, potentially reducing the need for certain low-skilled roles while creating new opportunities in tech-related positions. Future employees may need to develop digital literacy, analytical skills, and adaptability to thrive in this evolving landscape.
The potential impacts on the job market with the fast-food industry is that the jobs that you don’t need a lot of knowledge about will most likely go away and won’t be needed anymore and for future employees their skills will improve gradually but will need to develop