Presto Phoenix Inc., which provides a voice AI solution for QSR drive-thrus, has raised $10 million from Remus Capital-affiliated investors and other existing investors. The capital will be used to expand deployments, technology, and customer impact. The round follows Presto's recent integration with Toast and other AI partners including ElevenLabs and Bluejay, and continued expansion of deployments with existing and new QSR customers.
KFC opened a next-generation store format called 'Open House' in McKinney, Texas, on September 27. The 3,400-square-foot restaurant features self-order kiosks, digital menu boards, a dual-lane drive-thru with a dedicated mobile pickup lane, and table service. Operating hours run from 6:00 a.m. to midnight to test breakfast, late-night items, and specialty beverages. Parent KFC Corporation operates more than 30,000 locations globally.
Long John Silver's, a seafood and chicken chain with nearly 500 locations, is advancing a digital transformation led by Tim Newton, chief technology officer and head of brand operations, who joined in 2024. The brand upgraded its point-of-sale system to a cloud-based setup in 2019 and is now replacing static cardboard menu boards with digital displays, testing computer vision and predictive analytics at the drive-thru speaker box, and piloting five voice AI solutions. With average unit volumes of $1.1 million, any technology added must make financial sense and fit a demographic that includes older and more rural guests. Newton said tech integration is not about cutting labor but redistribut…
Zaxbys CTO Mike Nettles has completely overhauled the brand's tech stack since 2021, with the brand now surpassing 1,000 locations and over 70% of transactions occurring at the drive-thru. Partnering with Hi Auto, they piloted voice AI across 25 stores, fine-tuning for nine months before rollout. The AI improved dynamic upselling but created kitchen operational challenges, leading to integration with PAR Brink POS and QSR Automations kitchen display systems to streamline order flow.
Zaxbys CTO Mike Nettles has been overhauling the tech stack since 2021, replacing all legacy systems in five years. The company has over 1,000 locations, with 70% of transactions at the drive-thru. Partnering with Hi Auto, they deployed voice AI, piloted at 25 stores, integrated with POS and kitchen display systems to improve operations.
Dutch Bros' $105 million bid for Salad and Go locations has sparked opposition from 7 Brew, highlighting intense competition for turnkey drive-thru real estate. Industry experts note that rapid expansion relies on acquiring existing sites, combined with technologies like handheld POS to achieve one-minute window turnaround.
7 Brew launched its first mobile app with features for advance ordering, exploring 20,000+ drink combinations, tracking rewards, and saving favorites. The app unlocks secret menus and updates the loyalty program, allowing members to bank points for merchandise. The brand has over 800 locations in 38 states.