Starbucks wants to use AI to show you a ‘personalized digital menu’ at the drive-thru
Starbucks plans to use AI to personalize drive-thru menus, test order-assisting AI in 2027, and integrate AI into its app.Summary
During an earnings call, Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol announced plans to explore AI-driven features that recognize customers as they arrive at the drive-thru, present personalized digital menus, and simplify payment. This mirrors similar experiments by Taco Bell and McDonald’s. Starting in 2027, Starbucks will test background AI models to help baristas input orders more accurately and efficiently. The company also intends to integrate AI into its app’s search and discovery features, potentially enabling conversational and agentic ordering. Starbucks has already enabled ordering through ChatGPT and introduced an AI-powered Green Dot Assist tool for employees. Niccol emphasized that it’s still early and the company will “test, learn, and scale what works,” without specifying a timeline for the personalized menu boards.
(Source：The Verge)