Artificial Intelligence1 min read

Starbucks wants to use AI to show you a ‘personalized digital menu’ at the drive-thru

By · Via The Verge · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The planned drive-thru concept will identify opted-in customers to display tailored items and simplify payment, though a formal rollout date has not been scheduled. Starting in 2027, Starbucks will also deploy background artificial intelligence models to assist baristas with entering drive-thru orders faster and more accurately. Additionally, the company intends to update its mobile application with AI-driven search capabilities alongside potential conversational ordering tools.

Key points

  • Starbucks is expanding its technological investments to improve overall drive-thru effici…: Starbucks is expanding its technological investments to improve overall drive-thru efficiency and reduce order input errors.
  • Fast-food rivals like Taco Bell and McDonald’s are piloting similar artificial intelligen…: Fast-food rivals like Taco Bell and McDonald’s are piloting similar artificial intelligence initiatives at their drive-thrus.
  • Future mobile updates may incorporate conversational and agentic ordering tools alongside…: Future mobile updates may incorporate conversational and agentic ordering tools alongside upgraded search features.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Starbucks could eventually show you a personalized digital menu when you pull up to the drive-thru. During an earnings call on Thursday, Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol said the company is going to explore “experiences that recognize participating customers as they arrive, present personalized digital menus, and make payment more effortless,” as spotted earlier by More Perfect Union.

Starbucks wants to use AI to show you a ‘personalized digital menu’ at the drive-thru

The coffee chain aims to ‘recognize’ customers as they arrive.

The coffee chain aims to ‘recognize’ customers as they arrive.

It sounds similar to the technology that Taco Bell is experimenting with, which could change the layout, content, and visuals on a digital menu board “on a car-by-car basis.” McDonald’s also recently showed off an AI-powered feature it’s piloting at a handful of drive-thrus, allowing its “ArchIQ” chatbot to identify repeat customers and let them order their “usual.”

Starting in 2027, Starbucks will also begin testing background AI models at the drive-thru to help baristas “input orders more accurately and efficiently,” according to Niccol. The company also plans…

Artificial Intelligence