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Yum! Brands, the parent company of KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and The Habit Burger Grill restaurants, is actively embracing cutting-edge technologies, including AI-driven solutions for enhancing their food offerings, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
According to Joe Park, Yum’s chief digital and technology manager, the company has significantly ramped up its investments in technology and automation, with digital sales accounting for approximately 45% of their revenue, a substantial increase from 2019. Park emphasized that Yum envisions a future where an Internet of Things (IoT)-centric approach permeates every aspect of their quick-service restaurants, leveraging AI technologies to drive innovation limitlessly.
As California implements new minimum wage regulations, raising the hourly wage to $20 for most fast-food workers, many restaurant operators are turning to AI solutions to streamline operations, cut costs, and boost profitability, notes The Wall Street Journal.
The integration of AI technologies at Yum extends beyond enhancing customer experiences at their fast-food chains. The company’s mobile app, SuperApp, enables team members to seek guidance on operational tasks such as oven settings and provides an augmented reality feature to facilitate training on new menu items. Currently operational in over 8,700 Pizza Hut and KFC outlets, the app also facilitates ingredient procurement and employee scheduling.
Yum’s investments in AI are reportedly supported in part by franchise owners, although specific details on the extent of their financial contributions were not disclosed to the media outlet.
In response to a request for comment from FOX Business, Yum! Brands did not immediately provide additional information.
The evolving landscape of the fast-food industry, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, has seen a surge in technological advancements, including digital ordering systems and expanded drive-through capabilities.
While concerns persist regarding the potential displacement of human workers by AI, a Yum spokesman reassured The Wall Street Journal that the company’s employees will continue to hold a pivotal role in their operations.
