Starbucks plans AI‑driven personalized drive‑thru menu, testing to begin in 2027

Starbucks announced it will explore AI that recognizes customers at the drive‑thru, shows a personalized digital menu and streamlines payment, with testing slated for 2027.

Overview

• Starbucks aims to “recognize” arriving customers and offer a tailored menu at its drive‑thru locations.
• The plan is still in the exploratory phase; no launch date has been set.

Current AI Features

• The company already lets customers order through the ChatGPT‑integrated app.
• Employees use Green Dot Assist, an AI tool that answers recipe and service questions.
• These capabilities are confirmed by Starbucks statements and The Verge report.

Future Plans

• CEO Brian Niccol said the firm will test background AI models at the drive‑thru beginning in 2027 to help baristas input orders more accurately.
• Integration of AI into the Starbucks app’s search and discovery functions is planned, with conversational and agentic ordering envisioned for later stages.
• Similar AI menu boards are being trialed by Taco Bell, which adjusts layout per car; McDonald’s is piloting an AI chatbot named ArchIQ that identifies repeat customers.

Timeline & Uncertainty

• The earliest expected start of personalized menu board testing is 2027, but Niccol described the timeline as “early” and said the company will “test, learn, and scale what works.”
• It remains unclear how quickly the personalized digital menu will become widely available, or whether it will be limited to select locations.

Practical Implications

• Potential benefits include reduced order errors, faster service, and targeted promotions.
• Concerns about customer data privacy and the need for transparent opt‑out mechanisms are reported but not confirmed.
• Users can verify the announcement by reviewing Starbucks’ earnings call transcript, the press release, and The Verge article.