Wendy’s is expanding AI in the drive-thrus with FreshAI, a voice-enabled ordering assistant set to roll out at 500–600 locations in the United States by the end of 2025.
After a successful pilot in 100 restaurants, CEO Kirk Tanner announced the expansion on February 13th. The goal is faster service, fewer mistakes and a smoother ordering experience for customers and staff.
In this article
- How Wendy’s AI Drive-Thru Works
- Why AI Voice Ordering Is the Next Big Shift in Fast Food
- Why Voice Quality Matters in AI Ordering
- The Future of AI Drive-Thru Voice Technology
- Finding the Right AI Voice for Success
Developed in partnership with Google Cloud, FreshAI doesn’t just take orders; it increases sales by suggesting add-ons and has already boosted profit margins at company-owned locations. Wendy’s emphasizes that FreshAI is an assistant to, not a replacement for, its employees. The company also integrates other digital upgrades, like digital menu boards and kiosks, to further streamline the experience.
How Wendy’s AI Drive-Thru Works
FreshAI uses generative AI to understand natural speech so customers can order how they usually would; there is no need to speak like a robot. With over 200 billion possible order combinations, FreshAI can handle even the most customized requests. Orders are confirmed on a digital menu board before being sent to the kitchen, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
AI voice tech is changing fast food automation and transforming many industries, such as the automotive industry, where AI-powered voice assistants make in-car interactions smarter.
The Benefits of AI Drive-Thru Technology
Here’s how AI is helping fast food brands serve more customers more efficiently:
Faster Service
FreshAI speeds up orders, reducing wait times. Wendy’s has already reduced the average wait by 22 seconds.
Fewer Errors
With 99% order accuracy, AI reduces mistakes, ensuring customers get exactly what they ordered.
Better Staff Utilization
With AI handling orders, employees can focus on food prep and customer interactions, improving overall efficiency.
A Consistent Brand Voice
AI voice tech ensures a recognizable, on-brand experience while adapting to different languages and accents. AI voice licensing is key to maintaining brand consistency and control.
Why AI Voice Ordering Is the Next Big Shift in Fast Food
AI ordering is transforming fast food automation, setting new speed, accuracy and efficiency standards. While convenient, it also responds to industry-wide challenges like labor shortages, rising costs and increasing customer demand for fast, accurate service.
Here’s how AI in fast food is reshaping the industry:
Faster service, shorter lines. AI voice ordering speeds up transactions, reducing bottlenecks at peak hours.
Fewer mistakes, happier customers.
Lower labor strain. AI lightens the load by handling repetitive tasks, allowing employees to focus on food prep and service.
Personalized recommendations boost sales. AI suggests add-ons based on customer preferences, increasing average order value and profits.
AI is quickly shifting from a novelty to a necessity. The question isn’t whether restaurants will adopt AI ordering but how soon.
The next question for brands considering the move is: Can AI voice fit your budget? Many find it a cost-effective way to streamline operations, reduce errors and increase profitability.
Why Voice Quality Matters in AI Ordering
A good AI voice shapes the entire drive-thru experience.
Clarity is key: Background noise, accents and drive-thru chaos require a voice that’s easy to understand.
A natural, friendly tone: Keeps interactions smooth and enjoyable.
A brand-aligned voice: Reinforces company identity.
AI voice technology is also transforming language learning and the transportation industry.
The Future of AI Drive-Thru Voice Technology
And AI ordering is just getting started. Here’s what’s next:
Personalized recommendations: AI could recognize returning customers and suggest their go-to orders.
Better language adaptability: Real-time translation and dialect recognition will improve accessibility.
Seamless restaurant integration: AI will sync with kitchen automation and digital menu boards to optimize service.
Finding the Right AI Voice for Success
AI voice ordering is redefining fast food. We’ll help you do it right. At Voices, we help you:
• Find the perfect AI voice for your brand.
• Ensure clarity and consistency across every location.
• Reach more customers with multilingual options.
Make every order sound perfect. Whether it’s text-to-speech, custom datasets or voice cloning, we’ve got the expertise to bring your drive-thru voice to life!
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