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.
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewDairy 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.
Transparency
The rewrite is largely neutral, with minor selective sourcing by emphasizing a single negative customer reaction amid broader positive industry adoption.
Selective sourcing: Highlights one negative reaction without balancing counterpoints
Dairy Queen's AI chatbot could streamline operations, reduce wait times, and enhance customer satisfaction by handling peak-hour demands efficiently.
Reported by a single outlet. This score reflects source tier and factual specificity — corroboration is limited with one source.
Sources framed at 25 → our rewrite 15. We stripped 10 points of framing the sources carried in.
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