By DEE-ANN DURBIN, Associated Press<\/p>\n
Burger King is testing AI-powered headsets that can recite recipes, alert managers when inventories are low and even track how friendly employees are to customers.<\/p>\n
Restaurant Brands International \u2013 the Miami-based company that owns Burger King, Popeyes and other brands \u2013 said Thursday it\u2019s currently testing the OpenAI-powered headsets in 500 U.S. restaurants.<\/p>\n
The system collects data on restaurant operations and shares it via \u201cPatty,\u201d a voice that talks to employees through their headsets. If the drink machine is low on Diet Coke, Patty will tell the store\u2019s manager. If a customer uses a QR code to report a messy bathroom, the manager will be alerted.<\/p>\n
Employees can ask Patty how to make various menu items or tell Patty to remove items from digital menus if they\u2019ve run out of ingredients.<\/p>\n
Burger King said it\u2019s also exploring using Patty as a way to improve customer service. The system can track when employees say key words like \u201cwelcome,\u201d \u201cplease\u201d and \u201cthank you\u201d and share that with managers.<\/p>\n
When asked about that capability Thursday by The Associated Press, Burger King said the intent is to use Patty as a coaching tool, not a tracker of individual employees.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not about scoring individuals or enforcing scripts. It\u2019s about reinforcing great hospitality and giving managers helpful, real-time insights so they can recognize their teams more effectively,\u201d Burger King said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Burger King added that the key words are \u201cone of many signals to help managers understand service patterns.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe hospitality is fundamentally human. The role of this technology is to support our teams so they can stay present with guests,\u201d Burger King said.<\/p>\n
Patty is part of a larger app-based BK Assistant platform that will be available to all U.S. restaurants later this year.<\/p>\n