McDonald's Restarts AI Drive-Thru Tests at 5 U.S. Sites as Taco Bell Expands to 890 Lanes
Updated
Updated · WIRED · Aug 3
McDonald's Restarts AI Drive-Thru Tests at 5 U.S. Sites as Taco Bell Expands to 890 Lanes
1 articles · Updated · WIRED · Aug 3
Summary
McDonald’s has resumed AI-powered drive-thru ordering at five U.S. locations with Google, offering English and Spanish service after scrapping an earlier in-house effort.
That relaunch comes as Taco Bell said in July it had already deployed AI at 890 drive-thru lanes, while Dairy Queen is rolling out the technology across 25 states.
Adoption is rising despite earlier failures: AI-equipped drive-thrus grew from 4% of U.S. fast-food locations in 2024 to 6% in early research this year, after viral ordering mistakes and lower accuracy slowed momentum.
Chains still see gains in speed and sales—Intouch Insight says AI lanes are 21 seconds faster on average and use upselling in 71% of orders versus a 58% industry average.
The broader bet is that improved voice systems can scale without cutting jobs, though some brands still avoid AI to preserve human service and customer connection.