232. Wendy's Develops AI Drive-Thru and Chipotle Effect Author Predicts a new Chipotle Future

The Restaurant Report

The fast food industry constantly evolves, with companies striving to meet customer demands and enhance profitability. In recent news, Wendy's, Sweetgreen, and Chipotle have made significant announcements regarding their operations and innovations. This article highlights the key developments from each of these popular brands.Listen to the Full PodcastWendy's to Shut Down Remaining US Reef Units

• Wendy's plans to close all remaining Reef units in the United States.
• These closures are scheduled for this quarter, marking the end of an initiative that started less than two years ago.
• Initially, Wendy's had announced plans to build 700 Reef units in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.

Wendy's Testing Google's Drive-Thru Chatbot in Ohio

• Wendy's is set to pilot Wendy's FreshAI, a drive-thru chatbot developed by Google, in Ohio.
• FreshAI is a tool designed to understand customization requests, address common customer questions, and provide upsell suggestions.
• This innovation aims to enhance the customer experience and streamline the ordering process at Wendy's drive-thru locations.

Sweetgreen Unveils First Automated Kitchen

• Sweetgreen has opened its first automated kitchen in Naperville, Illinois.
• Remember, the 2021 acquisition of Spyce Robotics out of Boston was one of the key elements for the move to automation in their overall strategy.

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