Wendy’s just dropped a cool $53 million on some brand new artificial intelligence software to take orders from customers, and it’s already being installed at their restaurants.
The goal is to streamline the ordering process for people — if they free up Wendy’s employees’ time, those employees can better serve customers in other ways, according to the company.
So, Wendy’s is installing digital ordering kiosks and artificial intelligence-run drive-thru ordering.
But folks who’ve used the “improved” technology aren’t impressed — people are already sounding off on the Wendy’s sub-Reddit.
“It. Is. Horrible. I can speak loud and clear and it would still take 3x to understand what I’m saying,” one person says. “The AI would keep cutting me off mid sentence. It would also cut you off if you paused at all when ordering for 0.5 seconds. It’s really annoying to have the bot try to figure out how to customize menu items (i.e. no pickle).”
Others were quick to agree.
“God forbid they increase wages to what the market demands. Instead they make dumba– decisions that are going to drive them out of business,” another person writes.
One customer had a tip for others who are fed up with AI taking over, saying: “Just do what I do, when the AI asks to take your order – just say AGENT. and keep repeating that till you get a human.”
RetailWire reports that Wendy’s is planning to have these up and running by the end of 2025. That is, unless customers put a stop to it.
Of all of the side hustles country artists could partake in, opening a bar or restaurant is the most fitting — and very common. After all, many of these stars got their start on a barstool, tip jar nearby, playing their music for anyone who would listen.
These places feel like home for many of these singers. Over the years, several artists have gotten into the bar or restaurant game, and for a select few, brands have turned into franchises with several locations and/or concepts — we’re looking at you, Jimmy Buffett!
Let’s take a look at the country star food and entertainment venues that have opened over the years.
Gallery Credit: Jess
Gallery Credit: Carena Liptak