White Castle’s AI Drive-Thru: 100 Locations by 2024

The latest addition to the list of fast-food chains replacing human staff with voice bots in their drive-thru lanes is White Castle. The chain announced that it will deploy SoundHound's AI-powered voice bots in 100 drive-thru lanes by the end of 2024. This move comes as the restaurant industry faces challenges related to labor shortages and high turnover rates. This prompted an increasing number of chains to adopt automation tools, including AI and robotics.

White Castle is part of a growing trend, as seven other national chains have also adopted conversational bots to process their drive-thru orders. For instance, McDonald’s has been testing AI-powered ordering in its drive-thru lanes since 2019. Business Wire reported that in 2022, Checkers and Rally's was one of the first major chains to widely implement AI-powered voice assistants. As of August 2023, voice AI is operational in 390 out of the 803 Checkers and Rally's restaurants. Additionally, several other chains, including Popeyes, Panera Bread, Taco Bell, Del Taco, Carl's Jr., and Hardee's, are also incorporating AI and voice technology into their drive-thru operations.

The adoption of technology and automation to address labor shortages is a growing trend. Approximately 58% of restaurant operators expect this approach to become more common in the current year, according to the 2023 State of the Restaurant Industry Report by the National Restaurant Association.

In a news release, SoundHound emphasized that its tech is entirely automated and does not rely on human assistance. This sets it apart from other AI-powered voice systems. This means it relies solely on intelligent automation to provide fast, accurate, scalable, and consistent service across various locations and channels. This includes kiosks, phones, and other devices.

The AI tech company shared a video on Twitter how the drive-thru would work. They wrote, "Check out SoundHound’s powered voice AI ordering technology at one of the @WhiteCastle drive-thru locations." They also announced that this technology will be live in over 100 locations by the end of 2024.

From fluffy pancakes and crispy bacon to fruits and omelets, the breakfast buffet offers an abundance of choices. As tempting as it may be, there are times when it's probably best to avoid certain food items to ensure a healthy and enjoyable dining experience.

Overall, breakfast buffets make a great choice if you're on the hunt for an economical meal or have specific dietary restrictions or preferences, as they allow you to handpick the items that perfectly match your requirements.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that foodborne illnesses were responsible for sickness in approximately 48 million Americans. Within this number, it is estimated that around 128,000 cases required hospitalization, and tragically, 3,000 cases resulted in fatalities.

Breakfast buffets that lack proper maintenance and supervision may fall prey to stale and unappetizing food items. Dishes sitting out for too long lose their freshness and flavor, posing a risk to your taste buds and stomach. It’s best to opt for recently prepared items to savor the true essence of a breakfast buffet.

In breakfast buffet setups, hygiene can sometimes take a backseat. With numerous diners handling the serving utensils, there is a potential for the spread of germs and contaminants. Items like communal bread baskets and self-service stations may be susceptible to bacterial growth.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), buffets should prioritize swapping food trays rather than refilling them with new food to prevent the spread of foodborne illnesses and ensure food safety. The duration for which an old batch of food has been sitting on the buffet is often uncertain. After two hours at room temperature, the risk of harmful microorganisms thriving on the food increases significantly. Refilling food trays creates a potential risk of cross-contamination between the fresh food and any remaining food on the tray.

When encountering a breakfast buffet, knowing which foods to skip is wise. Here's a rundown of foods to avoid at breakfast buffets.

Many establishments opt for powdered eggs instead of fresh ones, as it's a cost-effective way to prepare large quantities of scrambled eggs to cater to numerous guests at once. However, powdered eggs cannot compare to the taste, texture, and color of their fresh counterparts. Another concern lies in the fact that these eggs are pre-cooked, which means they might sit at unsafe temperatures for extended periods.

According to the FDA, serving eggs immediately after cooking is crucial to prevent foodborne illnesses. Unfortunately, in a buffet setting, it's challenging to determine how long the eggs have been sitting out.

Unless you witnessed the fruit being freshly prepared in the kitchen, it's nearly impossible to gauge how long that eye-catching fruit display has been sitting there. According to the FDA, when fruits are cut, their protective skins are breached, leaving the flesh vulnerable to the surrounding environment and any potential bacteria. This creates two primary reasons that heighten the risk of contamination. Firstly, cutting the fruit makes its water content and nutrients readily available to microorganisms. Secondly, without any heating process, disease-causing germs aren't eliminated, further contributing to the potential hazards of consuming cut fruits from a buffet display.

There’s a joy of pouring your own batter into a Belgian waffle maker, flipping it eagerly, and waiting for that gratifying green light before embellishing it with toppings. However, it's best to exercise caution and avoid the waffle station. As per TikToker Brandi Augustus, a former hotel employee, the waffle batter served there is often old and sour. Instead of disposing of the old batter, new batter is mixed with it. It's worth noting that not all places offering breakfast buffets adhere to this practice, but it's wise to stay informed and make a decision based on the circumstances.