Yum Brands' $21M Tech Splash: Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC, and The Habit Grill Go Digital

In the kitchens of Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC, and The Habit Burger Grill, a revolution is simmering. Yum Brands, the culinary name behind these notable eateries, is stirring the pot with a $21 million infusion into "digital, technology and innovation capabilities" in 2023, doubling down from the previous year's $11 million investment.

The digital sous-chef leading this revolution is none other than SuperApp, a mobile application designed to make restaurant managers' lives easier. The goal behind Yum Brands’ AI recipe for success is a generative AI tool that serves up answers to employees' queries faster than a side of fries. The company also envisions SuperApp to help with  everything from ordering ingredients and scheduling shifts to training employees by augmented reality (AR). They are also experimenting with voice AI that’ll make drive-through static a th ing of yesteryear (finally!) by taking (precise!) orders, along with image-recognition that can count cars, shortening the wait time for your favorite take-home meal.

Behind the scenes, Yum is counting on AI to even predict the future of your cravings, recommending orders based on inventory and sales data, optimizing menu offerings, and even tailoring personalized offers.

And the company isn't dining alone in the AI feast. The entire quick-service restaurant (QSR) sector is getting a taste. According to PYMNTS Intelligence, 78% of business leaders in retail see generative AI as the main course over the next three to five years. McDonald's, for instance, is partnering with Google to implement generative AI in thousands of its, aiming to optimize operations for hotter, fresher food and enhance both customer and staff experiences.

Clearly, the future of fast food is not just about taste—it's also about technology.