Are Wendy’s AI Menus Coming to Montana Drive-Thrus?

Do all of you ever ponder about having a robot take your order to the drive-thru? Well, that sci-fi situation could arrive sooner than anticipated, courtesy of Wendy’s latest tech move. But before you go busting out your best robot impression, let’s get into the juicy details.

So yeah, Wendy's been flirting with artificial intelligence (AI). They’ve introduced something called “FreshAI,” a voice assistant who takes your order and promises to do it faster and more accurately than any human. The feedback? Well, it's a mixed bag. Some people are digging the futuristic vibe, while others are complaining of AI-bred order mixes.

Wendy’s top cheese, CEO Kirk Tanner, sounds up. He’s counting on FreshAI becoming smarter over time: like a fine wine, or that sourdough starter you keep forgetting to feed. The grand scheme aims to scale this AI sidekick to restaurants across 19 different states by the end of 2025. But here is the zinger: Wendy’s is keeping mum on which 19 states will receive the AI treatment next.

Montanans aren’t new to tech. From GPS-enabled tractors to home smart devices that warn you to water the plants (or at least scold you for not doing so), we have adopted innovation. Still as charming as that sounds, early adopters have encountered a few bumps in the road. The problems range from orders being misheard to the AI getting flustered by nearby conversations. So whenever this tech makes it to Montana, it might be worth keeping your order simple.

In the interim, we’ll have our ears to the ground and our eyes on the drive-thru lane for any news.