Starbucks to test AI drive-thru ordering in fiscal 2027
Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol said the test will recognize customers and offer personalized menus, according to CNET.
Starbucks will begin testing artificial intelligence for drive-thru ordering, including recognizing customers as they approach, during fiscal year 2027, CEO Brian Niccol said. The company confirmed the plans to CNET. Fiscal 2027 ends September 28, 2027.
Niccol said the goal is to make drive-up ordering faster, more convenient and more personal. Drive-up customers account for roughly half of all Starbucks patrons. Starbucks said AI would help input orders more accurately and efficiently while baristas talk to drive-up customers.
The company is also exploring ways for automated systems to recognize repeat customers as they drive up and offer personalized digital menus, possibly including suggested purchases. Starbucks did not specify where the testing would take place or how it would affect food and drink prices, according to CNET.
A Starbucks representative did not confirm to CNET which specific technology would be used to recognize customers and did not specify consent or opt-out methods.
Earlier AI use and rival efforts
On the fourth-quarter 2026 earnings call last week, Niccol discussed the AI drive-thru plans, the article said. Starbucks already uses AI through Green Dot Assist, which helps workers look up drink recipes, troubleshoot equipment and coordinate staffing, and through Smart Queue for sequencing orders.
Other chains have tested similar systems with mixed results. McDonald's ended its AI drive-thru experiment with IBM in 2024 after bots struggled with accents and dialects, and recently launched a new experiment with AI bot Archy as part of an $8.5 billion modernization plan. Burger King pulled back on AI drive-thru after some customers drove off rather than order from a bot, and is still testing AI with a human option. Taco Bell, KFC, White Castle and Wendy's are among the chains using or testing AI drive-thru ordering, with mixed customer reviews according to Canopy research.
Quick answers
When will Starbucks test AI drive-thru ordering?
The testing is planned to start sometime during fiscal year 2027, which ends September 28, 2027.
What will the AI drive-thru system do?
Starbucks said AI would help input orders more accurately and efficiently. The company is also exploring customer recognition and personalized digital menus, possibly including suggested purchases.
Where will the tests take place?
Starbucks did not provide specifics about where the testing would take place.