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Popeyes UK to roll-out first AI powered drive-thru

Popeyes will be extending its AI technology to two additional drive-thru sites in Cardiff and Rotherham this month, and all future Popeyes UK drive-thru locations

Popeyes UK has officially launched its first AI powered drive-thru, following a successful trial in Northampton. 

This launch has made Popeyes the first quick service restaurant chain in the country to leverage AI at drive-thru ordering, and is also the first Voice AI solution launched by any QSR brand in the UK.

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Popeyes will be extending its AI technology to two additional drive-thru sites in Cardiff and Rotherham this month, as well as all future Popeyes UK drive-thru locations. 

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The group also has plans to expand AI to all other current drive-thru sites by July this year. 

So-called ‘Al’, after Popeyes founder Al Copeland, the American AI solution has been developed to “seamlessly” handle orders, including being robustly tested to handle accents “length and breadth” of the UK.  

This technology has been in testing at Popeyes’ Northampton since the beginning of March this year and has delivered “consistently successful results” across its trial period. 

Following the pilot, Popeyes reported 97% order accuracy, zero customer complaints and higher scoring in its mystery diner records. This was all attributed to Al’s proficiency in responding to questions about the menu, recommendations and bestsellers.

David Carey, chief technology officer at Popeyes, said: “We believe this technology has the power to revolutionise the drive-thru experience for the better, and we’re particularly proud to be the first quick-service restaurant in the UK to offer a Voice AI solution in this way.

“We’ve worked closely with our Northampton restaurant to integrate the technology with ease, and we’re already starting to see the benefits that the drive-thru AI is having on our Popeyes team members there.” 

He added: “The team have embraced the technology and are excited by the new freedom of not needing to stand at the order window. We’re also currently looking at other ways AI can help the Popeyes team in the future, such as order forecasting.”

The AI drive-thru roll-out comes after Popeyes UK announced plans to double its estate in 2024, opening over 30 new locations by the end of year and generating 2,000 jobs.

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