Burger King tests AI assistant Patty in 500 restaurants
OpenAI-driven Patty chatbot supports Burger King staff with meal preparation, service coaching and automated stock management.
An AI chatbot called Patty is being tested in 500 Burger King outlets under the franchise’s BK Assistant system to support staff and streamline operations. The OpenAI-powered tool works through employee headsets, offering real-time guidance on tasks and queries across Burger King restaurants.
Patty analyses drive-thru and in-store interactions to assess customer service quality, tracking phrases such as ‘welcome’, ‘please’, and ‘thank you’. Managers can request performance insights, while the company says the system is designed to coach rather than penalise employees.
The AI assistant connects kitchen equipment, billing systems, and inventory tools, enabling real-time stock updates. If items run out or machines fail, the system automatically adjusts menus across kiosks, digital boards, and drive-thrus within minutes.
Employees can ask Patty practical questions, from recipe details to cleaning procedures, without leaving their workstation. The system is linked to Burger King’s cloud infrastructure, enabling coordination of operations across multiple touchpoints.
While AI drive-thru ordering is being tested in fewer than 100 locations, executives describe it as experimental. Burger King plans to expand the complete BK Assistant platform, including Patty, across all US outlets by the end of 2026.
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