Taco Bell Expands Drive-Thru AI to Hundreds of Restaurants
Taco Bell has rolled out its AI-powered voice ordering system to over 890 locations across 38 states, automating order-taking and reportedly improving employee retention.
Taco Bell has expanded its drive-thru voice AI technology to more than 890 restaurants in 38 states, according to Nation’s Restaurant News. The system automates order-taking at the speaker, adapts in real-time to each location's menu, and filters background noise. Transaction times are reportedly on par with or faster than human order-taking.
The move has yielded a surprising secondary benefit: higher employee retention at locations using the AI. Reports indicate that by handling repetitive order-taking tasks, the AI allows human employees to focus on customer interaction and food preparation.
Despite the positive developments, the technology is not without its flaws. A viral incident in August 2025 highlighted a glitch where a customer attempted to order 18,000 cups of water. Nevertheless, Taco Bell remains committed to the technology. The broader fast-food industry is also adopting similar systems, with competitors like Wendy's, Dairy Queen, and Bojangles deploying comparable technologies. McDonald's, after removing its AI system from over 100 drive-thrus in 2024 due to performance issues, has introduced a new voice AI named Archy, indicating an ongoing industry-wide race to enhance drive-thru efficiency through artificial intelligence.