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Dairy Queen Rolls Out AI Chatbot in Select Drive-Thrus Across US and Canada
Dairy Queen is implementing an AI chatbot in dozens of its drive-thrus to improve service speed and promote additional orders. The technology, developed by Presto, follows a test conducted last year. Other fast food chains have also experimented with similar AI systems.
Apr 17, 11:46 AM·1m read1 source
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Dairy Queen announced it is deploying an AI chatbot in dozens of drive-thrus in the United States and Canada. The system is intended to accelerate drive-thru service and prompt customers to add items to their orders, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. The rollout follows a test of the technology last year.
, Hardee’s, Taco John’s, and Fazoli’s.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Presto’s chatbot accurately processes orders about 90 percent of the time.
A Dairy Queen executive stated that during a test on a day offering free ice cream cones, the system handled lines of cars without issues. A 2023 report from Bloomberg indicated that Presto’s AI drive-thru systems may involve assistance from human workers located in places like the Philippines.
Other fast food chains have explored AI for drive-thrus.
Wendy’s began testing a Google-powered system in 2023, and McDonald’s conducted a brief pilot. A Taco Bell executive mentioned plans to reassess AI drive-thru implementations after some customers reported frustration with the technology. Burger King is testing AI in fewer than 100 restaurants and using a chatbot in employees’ headphones to assess friendliness and assist with meal preparation.
Dairy Queen stated the AI chatbots will be introduced in select franchises, without specifying locations.
