AI is poised to transform the fast-food industry by automating tasks traditionally performed by human workers, potentially reducing the need for staff in certain roles. Here’s how this shift unfolds:
Order Taking: AI-powered kiosks and mobile apps are already replacing cashiers in many fast-food chains. Customers can place orders directly through touchscreens or their phones, with systems like those at McDonald’s or Taco Bell using natural language processing to handle custom requests. Voice-activated drive-thru bots, tested by chains like Wendy’s, further streamline this process, interpreting orders with increasing accuracy and speed.
Food Preparation: Robotic systems are being developed to handle repetitive kitchen tasks. Companies like Miso Robotics have introduced “Flippy,” a robotic arm that can fry food, flip burgers, and manage cooking times with precision. These machines work alongside humans for now, but as they improve, they could reduce the need for line cooks. Automated pizza makers and burger assemblers are also in trials, capable of producing consistent output without breaks.
Inventory and Management: AI algorithms can predict demand, manage stock, and optimize supply chains. This reduces the workload for managers and back-of-house staff, as systems like those from IBM or Oracle analyze sales data in real-time to adjust orders and minimize waste.
First-Ever Robot Restaurant: McDonald’s has started the revolution of a restaurant run by robots that can be found in Texas.
Customer Service: Chatbots and AI-driven systems handle complaints, loyalty programs, and even personalized marketing, cutting into roles that once required human interaction. While not fully replacing workers yet, they shift labor needs toward tech maintenance rather than direct service.
The impact isn’t total job elimination but a reconfiguration while new roles emerge—think technicians to service robots or data analysts to refine AI systems. Although new roles will be created the number of humans in these roles will not cover the losses. In 2025, we’re seeing a hybrid model—humans and AI coexisting—though the trend leans toward more automation as the tech gets cheaper and smarter. By 2035, there may not be any fast-food front-line jobs available.
