Feb 27, 2026 12:10:00

Burger King introduces AI assistant 'Patti' to check if staff are saying 'thank you' properly

Burger

King has announced plans to install an AI assistant called ' Patty' in the headsets used by its staff. In addition to assisting staff with their work, Patty will recognize certain words and phrases and rate the 'friendliness' of interactions between staff and customers.

Burger King will use AI to check if employees say 'please' and 'thank you' | The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/884911/burger-king-ai-assistant-patty

Burger King Launches AI Chatbot, Patty, to Coach Employees on Politeness
https://people.com/burger-king-launches-ai-chatbot-patty-to-coach-employees-on-politeness-11915480

Patty is a voice-enabled AI assistant that combines OpenAI-based models with Burger King's proprietary architecture. It's part of the 'BK Assistant' AI platform, which aims to empower restaurant teams to manage kitchen, dining, and inventory operations in real time. While information from each department was previously shared independently, integrating the entire system is expected to improve order accuracy and speed inventory management. Servers can also ask Patty questions about how to prepare menu items and clean machines.

In addition, Patty will analyze whether staff use keywords such as 'welcome,' 'please,' and 'thank you,' and is considering using this technology in some Burger King stores to enhance hospitality.

A Burger King spokesperson emphasized that Patty isn't intended to monitor or rate individual employees based on specific words or phrases. The spokesperson said the app is intended to help managers effectively evaluate their teams by providing real-time insights into associate friendliness through keywords.

Burger King's Chief Digital Officer, Thibaut Roux, told media, 'Patti is designed as a coaching and support tool, not a monitoring mechanism. We're iterating on how we capture not only the phrases in the conversation, but also the tone of the conversation.'

Chains like McDonald's and Wendy's are operating 'AI drive-thrus' in some areas, where AI chatbots take orders and respond to orders. Regarding the rollout of similar AI drive-thrus, Lu said they are testing them in fewer than 100 stores, but expressed caution, saying, 'We're experimenting, but it's still a risky gamble. Not all customers will accept it.' Fast food chain Taco Bell is introducing a voice AI ordering system in the drive-thrus of more than 500 stores starting in 2024, but has faced complaints about glitches and slow response times, as well as challenges like people asking the AI drive-thrus unreasonable questions like '10,000 glasses of water,' and stated that there is room for reconsideration.

A major fast food chain that introduced a voice AI ordering system to its drive-thru is reconsidering how to use AI - GIGAZINE

Burger King plans to roll out web and app versions of the Burger King AI Assistant to all of its US restaurants by the end of 2026. Patty, the voice assistant, will be tested in 500 restaurants.