Fast-food chains have spent the past several years racing to automate everything from drive-through ordering to burger flipping using AI.
McDonald’s and Wendy’s have continued to experiment with AI ordering systems, forcing restaurants to answer more fundamental questions than whether robots can make fries or take orders. With the introduction of ArchIQ by McDonald’s earlier this year as part of its new initiative “McDonald’s > NEXT,” the fast-food giant is introducing AI-powered chatbots at its drive-through locations.
Wendy’s has also implemented AI-powered drive-through systems since 2023, under its FreshAI program. In its 2026 first quarter earnings report, Wendy’s CFO Ken Cook said he wants to continue developing the digital experience.
“We are continuing to invest in the end-to-end digital experience, leveraging consumer insights to drive frequency and engagement in the app,” he said in the conference call, “while expanding payment options at checkout to create a more seamless experience and improve conversion.”
But customers aren’t embracing the machines nearly as quickly as restaurants are deploying them.
