"Restaurants Embrace A.I. for Streamlined Operations and Increased Sales"

Restaurants such as Panera and Chipotle are piloting artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline food service, from predictive ordering for consumers to automating kitchen flow and driver dispatch. Analysts say AI has the potential to ease workforce challenges in an ongoing tight hiring market and drive sales through suggestive selling. However, there are still hurdles to broad adoption, including getting franchisees on board and navigating language barriers and menu nuances. The industry shift is reminiscent of the emergence of third-party delivery services five years ago.